RPW Exclusive: A Single Checkered Flag; Whole New Meaning For Rich Crane; Sidelined For Rest Of ’19

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – CANAAN, CT – Every racer is chasing the checkered flag. It’s a symbol of accomplishment. It’s a symbol of pride. It’s a symbol of achievement. Pro Stock racer Rich Crane picked up a checkered flag this week, but this flag is probably one of the most important and special he’s ever received, in his life.

After finishing runner-up in last Saturday’s feature event at Lebanon Valley, Crane was all set to take a vacation with his family at the lake house they had rented. Good food, good weather, good times with family and friends. That’s what he wanted, and probably needed.

Well, things were going good, until one fateful moment that nearly changed his life forever.

“We bought the kids a new bike to bring to the lake house,” Crane said. “I rode the bike into the part of the lake where they were swimming. I caught the front wheel on something, the bike endowed and I went to dive into the water. Unfortunately, I went head first into about 2ft of water and hit the bottom of the lake. The next thing I know, I can’t move anything in my body.”

With Crane going into the water at the angle he did, his neck snapped, and he knew something was seriously wrong.

“I was paralyzed under the water,” he said. “Luckily, my brother and wife were able to pull me out. I had to be airlifted to Albany Medical Center and thankfully, all of my functions came back. However, I had three broken vertebras in my neck, along with a hyper-extended spinal cord and torn muscles that doctors told me needed surgery to prevent any possible spinal damage.”

Crane went in for surgery at 1pm on Tuesday afternoon. Everything went very well and by that evening, he was in recovery but knowing he would not return to his race car this year.

“I know I’m done racing for the year but I’m okay with that,” he said. “Knowing I’ll make a full recovery with time helps. It just sucks because I was looking forward to going on the tour this fall and running Super DIRT Week.” But the 711 will still be on track as I plan on having my brother run the car for some of these races.”

With his racing a Pro Stock, a tough truck at Monster Jam, and other adventures he’s been on, Crane can’t believe the circumstances of how things went down.

“It’s funny, really,” he said. “All of the dumb stuff I’ve done in my life and a bicycle gets me.”

Rich is extremely thankful that his family was close by when this happened or it could have been much worse.

“I’m grateful that there were people close by when I hit my head,” he said. “I went face up and was looking at the sky, unable to move. I was hoping someone would get to me so I didn’t drown. My wife and brother are my heroes right now. They brought me out of the water and stabilized me. That was huge so I didn’t have permanent damage. They not only saved my life but are the reason I am able to walk today.”

While he knows sometimes arguments happen at the race track, and tempers flare, Crane has been amazed at just how much support he’s received, from people in the racing community all the way to his fellow Pro Stock competitors and teams.

“The outreach of friends, family and people in the racing community has been tremendous,” he said. “Everything has gone well and I should eventually make a full recovery. That’s thanks to the people that have taken care of me but also because of the prayers and support I’ve received from everyone. It’s been truly overwhelming. Several teams continuously check on me which just goes to show what kind of competitors I race against every week. When it comes right down to it, we are all really good friends.”

Now, an amazing twist to this story. One of those supporters Rich mentioned was a young Kart racer, Deegan Nichols. The Nichols family has been close with the Crane’s as Deegan races karts with Rich’s nephews. The youngster felt awful about Rich’s accident and wanted to do anything he could to cheer him up.

“Once Deegan found out on Monday afternoon, he was immediately concerned,” Nichols father, Jim said. “He wanted to go see him. I couldn’t turn him down. We are real close to Rich’s brother and the entire family. We wanted to support Rich so we went to visit him.”

What Deegan did for Crane will warm your heart and is something Crane will cherish forever.

“Deegan snuck in to see me in the hospital,” Crane said with a laugh. “He handed me a checkered flag he got from a win and signed it, wishing me luck with my recovery. It’s the only checkered flag I’ve gotten this year and it’s probably the best one I’ve ever received. This flag represents the biggest victory of my life and I will never forget Deegan walking in to hand it to me. I feel very fortunate to have such a huge support network.”

Crane was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and is now back at the lake house, of all places. While he’s not on the bicycle or running around playing catch with the kids, he’s soaking up his surroundings and not taking a single bit of it for granted.

“The doctors were very surprised with my strength and that I was able to be discharged,” he said. When I got to the lake house, everyone had made an amazing celebration for my return home. After having no movement when I was under water and seeing how that felt, I’m not taking any chances with my neck until I have a complete recovery.”

It’s amazing what one of those black and white checkered flags can represent. To some, victory. To others, accomplishment. In this case, for Deegan Nichols, it meant support. Good job Deegs, and get better soon Rich. All of us at RPW are pulling for you.