BUFFALO TWP — It was a flight Erik Martin barely remembers — and would love to forget completely.

Martin, 22, the rookie driver of the No. 29E Modified at Lernerville Speedway, was flown by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh after being involved in a three-car accident at the track July 4.

The Evans City resident suffered a concussion and two pinched nerves in his back, causing the left side of his body to go numb.

"My car did a 360 spin and my head got jerked around, putting a dent in my headrest,"Martin said. "I was knocked out briefly and when I came to, my car was facing the infield.

"I remember climbing out of the car with my right foot touching ground first. When I went to move my left foot, I couldn't feel it and I just fell on the ground."

Next thing Martin remembered, he was being loaded onto a helicopter. Then he was being taken off it.

"I don't remember the flight at all. Next thing I knew, I was laying in a hospital bed,"he said.

Martin was in the hospital for three days. Two weeks later — last Friday — he was back behind the wheel of his car.

"The doctor cleared me (July 18),"he said. "All I have to do is wear a small back brace and I'm good to go."

Martin finished 10th in the feature last Friday, his second 10th-place finish of the year, and enters this weekend's action 15th in Modified points at Lernerville.

Not bad for a former motorcycle drag racer who suffered a broken tailbone the day after he graduated from Seneca Valley High.

"Iwas riding my motorcycle and got hit by a car,"Martin said. "I wasn't even racing at the time.

"I used to drag race on the street — I totaled eight bikes in one year. We used to go 160 mph in those races. I was lucky. The worst I ever got hurt was some scrapes and scratches.

"After I couldn't get insurance on a motorcycle anymore, the dirt racing came in,"Martin added.

His father, Allan Martin, is a member of the pit crew, as is Martin's brother, Dustin, and three friends.

"I didn't like it, but I knew he was dragging cycles,"the elder Martin said. "When he was in Florida going to school to learn how to run heavy equipment, I suspected he was doing it down there.

"Dirt track racing is a much better deal. The harness, fire suits, roll cages — these cars are much safer."

Then he watched his injured son leave the track on a helicopter.

"That was a horrible night,"the elder Martin said. "But I knew he'd be back here. Am I surprised it's this soon? No, not really."

Allan Martin was a pit crew member for Jim Kradel, who raced a Coupe years ago. Erik Martin's grandfather, Butch Bowers, also raced a Coupe in his younger years.

"His car number was 29,"Martin said of Bowers. "I took that number to honor him.

"When I started this season, my goals were not to be a lap down and not cause the yellow flags to come out. Now, I'm looking for some top 10s. Next year, I want to be a top 10 car."

Points StandingsTop 15 through July 18SprintsBob Felmlee 358, Kevin Schaeffer 355, Rod George 334, Brent Matus 273, Scott Priester 273, Ed Lynch Jr. 256, Charlie Holben 250, Scott Bonnell 235, Carl Bowser 222, Ralph Spithaler Jr. 209, Dan Shetler 206, Brian Ellenberger 189, Mike Lutz 183, Gary Rankin 150, Brent Ellenberger 143Late ModelsAlex Ferree 382, Lynn Geisler 349, Alan Dellinger/Mike Blose 339, Gary Lyle 306, John Flinner 305, Jared Miley 286, Greg Satterlee 281, Sam Stile 248, Chuck Kennedy 243, Clate Copeman 218, Matt Lux 212, Dave Murdick 207, Todd Bachman 204, Ken Schaltenbrand 197, John Mollick 196ModifiedsBrian Swartzlander 347, Kevin Bolland 328, Del Rougeux Jr. 280, Tom Winkle 270, Jeremiah Shingledecker 269, Dave Murdick 265, Mark Flick 233, J.R. McGinley 212, Tim Doran 207, Carl Murdick 193, Phil Evans 188, Jim Weller Jr. 179, Mike Turner 165, Erik Martin 138Street StocksJoe Kelley 392, Jason Fosnaught 361, Bob Egley 354, Wayne Carbo 349, Greg Beach 322 Pat Hanley 322, Jim Fosnaught 273, Bob Lipinski 270, Shawn Thorn 238, Bryan Shaffer 231, Dave Baker 211, Paul Schreckengost 207, Terry Young 195, Stan Riggle 174, Eric Piotrowski 143