Eric Medlen, 33, driver of the Auto Club/Pleasant Holidays Nitro Funny Car and member of the John Force Racing Team, succumbed Friday to injuries suffered when his race car crashed into a guardwall during a March 19th test session at Gainesville Raceway.
"This is a sad day for the Automobile Club of Southern California family. All of us — especially those close to our motorsports program — have lost a true friend and valued colleague.
Eric's competitive spirit, his outgoing personality and willingness to always lend a helping hand created a lasting impression with everyone he encountered. Although we lost a terrific young man, Eric's memory lives on and he will never be forgotten by those of us who raced with him, worked with him, and the thousands of our members he befriended along the way.
Our sincere condolences go out to his family, his teammates at John Force Racing and his many fans across the country."
— Tom McKernan