Racer’s can barely withstand being out of the car for the work week yet out of it for an extended period. Eric McClure, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, was sidelined from racing due to acute renal failure. The long hour waits thinking “Will I ever get back in a car” passed through Eric’s mind throughout the long period off.
But plotting a long-term future as a husband and father of five was more important now. After being hospitalized for 8-days Eric McClure became worried about his family, not just his racing career.
“There wasn’t anything I could do but sitting and waiting and trying to rest and that’s a hard thing because you’re waiting on God and nature,” McClure said “For me, at this point, it wasn’t as urgent as it would have been in the past. There was no ego or challenge to get back in the car this time. It was a little bit larger scare for us, so we wanted to make sure we were doing the right things that would allow me to be a husband and a father 20 years from now other than worrying about getting back in a car. Fortunately it worked out and we came back.”
McClure returned to racing action in Kentucky just last weekend where he finished 24th after complaining of physical conditioning being off balance. Severe dehydration and the affects in the car were the main concern of NASCAR officials for McClure as it could have been damaging to his kidneys.
McClure who suffered a concussion in a Talladega crash last year, has reason to think that his problems occurred from that crash.
“Since the accident in 2012 at Talladega I’ve had a lot of arthritis and problems set in my back and my feet and I was being treated with anti-inflammatories and a lot of that type medication,” said McClure. “I am told that if you’re not careful, those types of medicines can do a lot of damage over the course of time and it was nothing for me to take my regular medication and if I had some pains, to take some [over-the-counter painkillers] or something like that.
After getting back into the car in Kentucky, McClure came to a much more demanding track and physically tougher track of Dover. Doctor’s were skeptical about letting McClure race due to the way Dover has been known to be. Eric was able to start the race but was told to take it easy, but any racer wasn’t listening to that.
McClure rolled off from the 31st starting position in his No. 14 Toyota Camry and had a solid day finishing 26th. McClure slipped one spot in the owner standings, but is still 19th in driver standings despite being out a few weeks. McClure struggled throughout the race with a tight car in and loose when he got back on the throttle.
“Today was not a very good day for us. Something happened with the car and we spent all day nursing it. Kansas was good for us last year. Next week can’t come fast enough.”
McClure was back at the track on Sunday signing autographs for fans in the “Fan Zone” outside Dover International Speedway. It might not of been the best weekend for Eric but he has to be happy to still be in a race car and the bigger picture still be alive.
