LEXINGTON, Ohio -- A fueler for De Ferran Motorsports remained in critical condition in intensive care on Sunday morning, a day after he was injured in a pit fire during the American Le Mans Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Keith Jones was transported by helicopter to The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus and was being treated for unspecified burns. Jones, wearing an oxygen mask, waved to the crowd as he was lifted into the ambulance for the ride to the helicopter pad.
The hospital confirmed his condition and that he is in the intensive care unit, but would not disclose the nature or severity of his injuries.
The De Ferran Motorsports team, headed by two-time CART champion Gil de Ferran, was racing for only the second time. De Ferran, who came out of a two-year retirement to start the team, won the pole and started the race, but teammate Simon Pagenaud was at the wheel when the team's Acura ARX-01B pulled away after a stop with the fuel hose still attached to the car.
Safety workers quickly put out the fire, but not before Jones, wearing a helmet and fire-retardant clothing, was briefly caught up in the flames.
De Ferran's No. 66 was parked after the fire and was scored 26th in the 30-car field.