Speedway official hit by car

A Twin Cities Speedway track official suffered a broken leg and other injuries Saturday night when he was hit by a Pacific sprint car during race qualifying, track officials said.

Hal Smedley, who has been an infield official for four years and is a former race car driver, was transported by Bi-County Ambulance to Rideout Memorial Hospital.

Smedley, of West Sacramento, was working between the third and fourth turns about 6:50 p.m. when Pacific sprinter Kevin Lovell of Yuba City suddenly turned into the infield, pulled sharply to his left and ran into Smedley, pinning him against a large tractor tire that encircles the base of the light pole.

Track officials said Lovell's steering broke and he had little or no control of the car when he entered the infield.

Track officials originally called for an air ambulance, but that was canceled.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Todd Hansen can be reached at 749-4715. You may e-mail him at thansen@appeal-democrat.com.