BOBBY GRIGAS III SUFFERS INJURED WRIST IN CANAAN INCIDENT

Race victories are not created equally. To win against the best and the brightest competitors in any discipline of racing is more of an accomplishment than to finish first ahead of a small number of field-fillers.

When Bobby Grigas, III last raced at Canaan Fair Motorsports Complex (NH), he left on top of the world. Grigas had just beaten his childhood hero Ted Christopher to capture a $5,000-to-win open Modified show victory.

This past Saturday night at Canaan had an entirely different outcome though for Grigas. The 24-year-old Massachusetts driver was involved in a freak incident during a practice session that left the #09 Triple G Scaffolding team loading up early as their driver nursed a broken and dislocated wrist.

Grigas was taking practice laps when the slower car #77 car driven Bruce Batchelder signaled his intentions to go to the pit area, outside of the track. Batchelder was running in the high groove, but appeared to miss the pit entrance. At that point, he turned left back onto the racing surface and clipped the wheel of Grigas’ #09.

The impact took a chunk out of Grigas’ right front tire and whipped around the steering wheel. Grigas’ hand got caught in the spinning wheel, injuring his wrist. The #09 slid to the infield undamaged, but with its driver in severe pain.

Ever the racer though, Grigas didn’t let the pain stop him. After being examined by EMTs on site, Grigas told them that he would stop by the hospital after the race. He asked them to try and pop his left wrist back into place, but it was too badly mangled. Grigas

was transported to a local hospital still in his firesuit. Grigas did not want to change into street clothes for the visit because he left the track fully expecting to be able to return for the feature race.

“I don’t need any other clothes” Bobby said at the time. “I will be back for the race.”

However, as Grigas was at the hospital getting a cast fitted, the races continued on. His team received word that Grigas’ wrist was too badly injured to drive, so they loaded up their #09 Modified and were credited with the 23rd and final finishing position for the feature race.

Grigas is meeting with doctors this week to determine the extent of his injuries and the recovery that will be needed. He has a guaranteed starting position for this weekend’s Modified Mania show at Thompson, as well as plans to go to New Hampshire International Speedway in two weeks to attempt his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour debut. Those plans are on hold for the time being, pending medical advice.

To send Bobby a get well message, e-mail him at chobby81@aol.com.

Bobby Grigas will compete in the True Value Modified Racing Series full-time in 2006. For more information on Grigas, please contact Mike Twist at (207) 590-1786.