The concept of funny cars doesn’t seem quite so funny now. Eric Medlen, the popular pro drag racer who drove up to 300 mph in the funny car class, died last week from the head injuries he suffered when he crashed into a guard wall during a practice run at Gainesville Raceway. He was 33. He underwent brain surgery last Tuesday at a medical facility at the University of Florida, but he never regained consciousness and was taken off life-support by his family. Medlen, friendly and approachable, was a favorite of the sports’ fans; between 2004 and 2006, he won six races sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association and finished in the top five in drivers’ points all three years. “Words cannot describe how everyone at NHRA is feeling,” said the association’s president, noting that Medlen was “one of our brightest young stars.” (Source)