Driver still in critical condition
INEX Legends car racer
Cars were coming to the checkered flag and the finish of the event when a car driven by
Feller was found unresponsive by medical personnel who arrived on scene seconds after the accident and as soon as the rest of the field had passed by.
Some 1,000 fans were in attendance during the race and would have witnessed the crash, according to estimates.
Late Model racer and
Gibson assisted Cedar Rapids Police Department Officer
Smith was uninjured in the crash.
Feller's accident comes 10 and a half months after 68-year-old
'I just love the sport'
Feller is a 1980 graduate of
This season is her first behind the wheel. It has fulfilled a long-standing dream of being a part of the action on the track, and though she said in the spring the learning curve was steep, she was having fun doing so.
She lauded promoter
"I just love the sport. I fell in love with it. I saved up three years, got the car and I'm going for it," Feller said in May. "... I don't think people realize how difficult it is and how much mental energy goes into racing a car around this track.
"I've gotten a lot down that I never thought I'd get down. It's fun. It's fun to race. It's a neat division and very nice people in this division, too."
She is a devout Christian and had Bible verses on all sides of her blue No. 12 Legends car. Members of her pit crew on race weekends are fellow members of her church. Feller also is an avid
Feller works as a special-education teacher at
The district's thoughts and hearts go out to Feller's family, and the district is available to support those who know her, Superintendent
Feller is a "well-respected faculty member," said
Feller began teaching at the
She taught second and fourth grade at
Strict guidelines
Both Feller and Smith's cars were impounded by Hawkeye Downs and kept on site for further investigation as to the root of her injuries.
The Legends division is sanctioned by INEX, which has strict guidelines for safety -- including, but not limited to, a required head and neck support device -- such as the HANS Device -- a five-point safety harness and a quick-release steering wheel.
"As I know it, it's an investigation as a sporting event accident for the sake of insurance -- since we won't probably be able to talk to them (investigators) until Monday," promoter Korsmo said. "Both cars will be impounded, and we will have them put away in case they do need to see the cars."
As it relates to Hawkeye Downs itself, whatever comes out of a major injury to a competitor is pending the investigation by an insurance company.
When Pickart was killed last September,
There is no one set of guidelines for a given level of coverage, K&K Marketing Manager
Many of the underwriters have been working in racing -- in all areas -- for decades.
"At K&K we have very specific underwriting applications that have to be filled out, and of course our underwriters ask questions about what goes on at the event," Hatfield said. "Depending on the size of the racetrack or the type of racing involved, there might be different types of questions asked. It's a very individualized process."
The rate or even availability of insurance coverage, then, depends on the facility's quality and what will take place during the event. Risk management is key in determining the coverage.
Racing events cannot be held without it, and the insurance companies take their job very seriously.
"It really depends on the types of activities. It also depends on the types of loss-control measures in place," Hatfield said. "Some might have a facility that has more appropriate safety features in place. They might get a better price for the account.
"There may be some events that are excluded based on lack of certain types of safety procedures. Past records come into play as well."
l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jerermiah.davis@the gazette.com
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