“We have two critical patients”: Public Information Officer unwraps details of the horrific plane crash near NHRA dragstrip 

NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass spoke with a public information officer regarding the horrific plane crash near an NHRA dragstrip on Sunday. The officer said all four passengers onboard the plane survived but two critical patients were transported to a local hospital.

The incident took place near the Pomona Dragstrip in California where the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) season finale was being held. The In-N-Out Burger NHRA Final was temporarily suspended while respondents attended to the crash.

According to LA County Fire Department public information officer Jonathan Torres, the responders were dispatched at 11:11 a.m. for a Piper PA-32 single-engine plane that crashed near the Californian dragstrip.

“11:11 this morning, units were dispatched and actually on scene… they call it in themselves […] Units were dispatched for an aircraft down. It was a single-engine plane that made contact with a couple of vehicles before ultimately hitting ground,” Torres said.

The public information officer disclosed no one died in the crash. However, two individuals were critical and had to be transported to a local hospital. He stated:

“From what we know, we have two critical patients, and two moderate that had been transported to local emergency rooms.”

The fire department dispatched units to mitigate potential fire hazards from jet fuel spilled after the crash. The NTSB and FAA also started conducting an investigation, with the preliminary report expected to come out tomorrow.

Upon the resumption of the race, Antron Brown drove his way to win the championship in the Top Fuel category. Meanwhile, Greg Anderson took the title in the Pro Stock category.

Tony Stewart entered the NHRA season finale at California - Source: Imagn

Former NASCAR champion Tony Stewart also participated in the event. He ran his final race as a rookie in the Top Fuel category.

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Tony Stewart entered the final NHRA race after welcoming a baby boy

Tony Stewart arrived at the Pomona Dragstrip just in time for the NHRA season finale. Stewart participated in Saturday’s qualifying session before flying to welcome his newborn with his wife Leah Pruett. He returned to the dragstrip on Sunday for the race.

Tony Stewart Racing Nitro, the three-time NASCAR champ’s NHRA team, took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared a post congratulating Stewart and Pruett on becoming parents. The couple named their son Dominic James.

“Meet our new teammate, Dominic James Stewart Momma @LeahPruett_TF and baby are doing great. Congratulations LP and @TonyStewart on becoming new parents! Only Tony could pull off qualifying, rushing to Phoenix to make it in time for the delivery, then back to @PomonaDragstrip for race day. Let’s go win Dominic a [champion].

Stewart was a rookie and a substitute driver for Pruett in the Top Fuel category. He advanced to the semifinals after defeating Gary Pritchett by clocking 3.712 seconds at 334.15 mph. However, the 53-year-old lost to Doug Kalitta in the semifinals.

With the conclusion of the NHRA season and the discontinuation of Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR, Stewart should have more time to spend with his new family this holiday season.