Driver remains critical after LVMS accident

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 | 9:16 a.m.

Local driver Rich Attisani remained in critical condition at University Medical Center's Trauma Center following an accident Saturday evening at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Attisani, 32, suffered bruised lungs and multiple rib fractures in the accident, which occurred during a practice session for Saturday night's Super Late Models feature race. He was in a drug-induced coma on Monday and breathing with the help of a respirator, according to his father, Dick Attisani.

"He took a hard hit," Dick Attisani said. "It sounds like the right-front (brake) caliper broke and he hit on the driver's side and there was nothing to absorb (the impact)."

Rich Attisani was by himself on the track during practice when his car suddenly veered out of control, spun and slammed into the guardwall in Turn 1. Dick Attisani said his son had not regained consciousness since the accident.

"He was out as soon as he hit," the elder Attisani said. "He can't breathe on his own because of the bruised lungs and the doctors induced the coma because they want him to relax. They said if he woke up, he might try to fight the (breathing) tubes."

Dick Attisani said doctors told him they were concerned about Rich developing pneumonia because of the weakened condition of his lungs.

"The problem they run into with these types of injuries is pneumonia," Dick Attisani said. "They've just got to watch him now and see how he reacts to the antibiotics. He will probably be on the respirator for quite a few days.

"But he's in good care here and the support he has been getting has been incredible."

Rich Attisani has been racing since the age of 7, his father said, when he raced go-karts at the old Craig Road Speedway. He was the track's Junior champion in 1978 and won the Pro title in 1982.

He began racing stock cars in 1995 in the Grand American Modified Division at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Attisani and his father are the only drivers in the history of the track to win main events in Modified, Outlaw Stock and Late Model divisions.

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question