Family confirms identity of racer injured in accident at Lernerville
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Chicora native Shane Nolan was driving car No. 61 Sunday, Oct. 13, when it wrecked with two laps to go at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township. Nolan was transported by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle
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Emergency personnel work to rescue a driver after a serious crash Sunday, Oct. 13, at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle
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The racecar No. 61 car being towed back to the garage behind the Lernerville Speedway office in Buffalo Township after a serious crash on Sunday, Oct. 13. William Pitts/Butler Eagle
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Racecar No. 61 wrecks with two laps to go Sunday, Oct. 13, at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township. Driver Shane Nolan, of Chicora, was transported by medical helicopter to UMPC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle
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Racecar No. 61 wrecks with two laps to go Sunday, Oct. 13, at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township. Driver Shane Nolan, of Chicora, was transported by medical helicopter to UMPC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle
The driver who was injured in crash during a race at Lernerville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 13, has been identified as Chicora native Shane Nolan.
Nolan was transported by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh after a crash which occurred during the Geibel Fest Day of Destruction races at Lernerville — the last scheduled day of racing at the Buffalo Township track for the 2024 season.
Multiple people connected to Nolan identified him as the driver on social media, and one family member confirmed his identity to the Butler Eagle.
UPMC Presbyterian confirmed Sunday that Nolan was transported there, but could not provide any additional information on his condition.
Nolan was driving the No. 61 car during the Enduro 100-lap race when, according to eyewitnesses, his car crashed into a wall, flipped and landed on its roof. The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. with two laps to go in the race.
Emergency crews removed Nolan from the race car with the Jaws of Life before he was transported by a STAT MedEvac helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian. The helicopter took off for the hospital shortly before 3:30 p.m.
Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company brought multiple ambulances to the scene, and the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department also was stationed at the speedway.
“I just saw the car flip, and when they pulled the guy out he was completely blue,” said Mike Richie, who saw the crash.
After the crash, racing continued at Lernerville. The day’s program consisted of multiple types of races, including double figure-eight races and truck and boat trailer races.
Despite crashing, Nolan was credited with finishing seventh out of 22 drivers in his race.
According to Nolan’s racer profile on myracepass.com, this was the fourth race that Nolan took part in, with the previous three also taking place at Lernerville. His best finish was fourth on Sept. 21.
Two other members of the Nolan family, Kyle and Mason, also took part in the race Sunday.
