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NASCAR broadcaster hit by car continues recovery

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Wendy Venturini

Performance Racing Network broadcaster Wendy Venturini continues her recovery in a California hospital after being hit by a car Saturday morning while running in Novato, California, her husband reported in a Facebook post.

Venturini suffered a skull fracture and concussion.

Husband Jarrad Egert wrote on Facebook about Venturini’s condition: “Her biggest struggle will be allowing her skull fracture and concussion to heal as she continues to fight head pressure, headaches, vertigo and hearing impairment in her left ear due to nerve damage.

“Hopeful for a full recovery in six weeks. Wendy says plyometrics saved her life. Literally! She jumped as she saw the Miata appear going 20 mph out of the corner of her eye. She somersaulted over the hood, roof and trunk eventually coming to a stop on the pavement.”

Sgt. Nick Frey of the Novato Police Department told NBC Sports that the investigation into the incident is continuing. He said that the driver was cooperative and that “impairment was not an issue” in the incident.

Egert also wrote on the Facebook post about his wife: “She has road rash on her tail bone and shoulder and a black eye. In typical Wendy fashion, she had me walking the halls at 5 AM and (requesting) special ordered egg whites from the hospital kitchen. She’s a fighter and confident these setbacks will make her stronger.

“No tears from anyone she said, it increases her head pressure from the fracture. Only positive vibes! She is thankful for the staff and care here in California and cannot wait to be released to return to Caleb and the rest of her family and friends. She is unable to fly due to the pressure of the airplane so we will be making a drive back east soon. Toyota has a motorcoach and driver waiting for us from the NASCAR weekend! We are in good hands! Thanks, everyone!!”

Venturini became the first female to serve as a co-anchor for a NASCAR Cup race in September 2014 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. She was in California to be a pit reporter for PRN’s radio broadcast of Sunday’s Cup race at Sonoma Raceway. She also has served as a booth analyst for PRN broadcasts this season.

Venturini became the first female broadcaster to call an entire race on a national level during the July 2007 Cup race at Sonoma Raceway for DirecTV. She also has reported on NASCAR for Speed Channel and Fox Sports 1.

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