Stygles’ No. 50 to race Saturday night with son Tyler behind the wheel
–by T.J. Ingerson (@TJIngerson)
VMM Editor
BRADFORD – Bear Ridge Speedway Sportsman Modified driver Arnie Stygles is set to return home after he suffered a medical emergency on Saturday night at the track.
The driver, who lives within ear shot of the quarter-mile clay oval, collapsed after he exited his No. 50 Modified following an incident.
Stygles was stricken by a massive heart attack and was given immediate medical attention at the track before he was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
Stygles underwent surgery and was placed in a medically-induced coma; he was awoken from it early this week. Family members indicated Stygles will return home sometime Thursday afternoon to continue his recovery.
While Stygles will sit dormant, his car will not. Stygles’ son Tyler, a former support division champion at the track, will pilot the No. 50 this weekend.
“(The) race car is ready to roll for Saturday,” Stygles’ son Jeremy posted on Facebook. “Dad told my brother and I that he wants the car up there Saturday night.
“Thanks for the support, everyone.”
Stygles’ medical emergency comes less than three years since Bob Shepard’s. Shepard, too, experienced a heart attack, this time behind the wheel of his Modified, in 2013. Shepard has since made a full recovery and won the Sportsman Coupe championship last season.
VMM’s best wishes continue to go out to the Stygles’ family as Arnie Stygles continues his recovery.
PHOTO: Bear Ridge Speedway Sportsman Modified driver Arnie Stygles is set to return home after he suffered a heart attack at the track on Saturday night. (Buzz Fisher/CreativeOutbursts.com photo)
