Gidley Undergoes Second Surgery (Updated)

Photo: Memo Gidley Facebook

Memo Gidley, who was involved in a massive accident in Saturday’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, has underwent a second surgery, according to a team statement released by GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing.

The 40-year-old Californian was operated on yesterday evening to repair and stabilize a fracture in his lower back.

It came two days after undergoing surgery to both his left arm and leg following an early race accident with the Risi Competizione Ferrari of Matteo Malucelli.

VIDEO: Gidley and Malucelli’s Massive Accident

While Malucelli was released from the hospital on Sunday, Gidley remains at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Fla., with further updates to come.

GAINSCO/BSR drivers Jon Fogarty, Darren Law and pole-sitter Alex Gurney all visited their teammate in the hospital over the weekend, along with team owner Bob Stallings.

“The objective is to get Memo into a stabilized condition so that the doctors can figure out what all the issues are,” Stallings said. “We are not at that place yet, and doctors are still evaluating him. The procedures needed to stabilize him aren’t finalized yet.”

Stallings has remained at the hospital, and he anticipates staying until Gidley returns to Northern California.

“Memo is a competitive person and a fighter,” Stallings added. “And clearly he is drawing on those strengths as he makes his way through this ordeal.

“Since last night’s surgery, he has been sedated all day, so we haven’t been able to communicate with him. There is some expectation that later today, if conditions are right, that the doctors may bring him out of the sedation, but that decision hasn’t been made yet.”

The goal is to have all medical conditions stabilized over the next 24-48 hours. After that point, the expectations are that he will need a week of rest to gain enough strength for the trip back to Northern California.

“We appreciated the outpouring of support, thoughts and prayers for Memo,” Stallings said. “We plan to share those with him once he is awake enough to understand all the well wishes.”

Doctors continue to evaluate and monitor Gidley’s progress. Because of the type of injuries Gidley sustained, he is expected to spend an undetermined amount of time in a transitional rehabilitation facility in Northern California upon his release from the hospital in Daytona Beach.

Gidley’s DP car plowed into the back of the Risi Ferrari, which had slowed on track, causing damage to both cars and resulting in a red flag of more than one hour.

The cause for the Ferrari slowing on track is under investigation.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John