Two professional race car drivers, Kylie Marie Walton and Janey Lee, are currently on the road to recovery following a harrowing incident that occurred during a live rehearsal for the San Felipe 250 race. Both athletes found themselves hospitalised after their vehicle caught fire on March 24, while they were preparing for the event in Baja California.
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In a heartfelt video update shared on Instagram on March 26, Eric Lee, Janey’s husband, detailed the ordeal that unfolded. He described how, during the incident, flames erupted beneath Janey’s seat. The situation was exacerbated when her seatbelt jammed, leaving her unable to escape as the fire engulfed her. Through tears, Eric recounted how Kylie played a crucial role in saving Janey’s life by managing to help her release her seatbelt amidst the chaos.
Eric went on to highlight the protective gear the drivers wore, including helmets and gloves, which helped prevent more severe injuries. Nonetheless, Janey sustained significant burns, particularly to her legs and shoulders, with doctors indicating that skin grafts would be necessary for her recovery. Despite the pain and trauma, Eric described Janey’s resilience, noting that she remained in good spirits throughout her treatment.
Kylie also suffered injuries in the incident, with burns across her hands, but Eric remained encouraged by the pair’s strength during this tough time. He expressed gratitude to those present at the scene who acted quickly to get the two women to safety. Eric’s emotional message was among several updates shared by the friends and family of both racers, who have been rallying support since the accident.
The following updates from the non-profit organisation Road 2 Recovery revealed the lengthy and arduous recovery journey that both women are facing. The March 9 Instagram post included a photo of Janey in her hospital bed, heavily bandaged and with her leg in a brace, as well as an image of Kylie resting at home, her hands wrapped in gauze from her burns.
By April 14, Janey had been in the Burn Unit ICU for 20 days, receiving extensive medical care. Meanwhile, Walton, who was also receiving treatment, took to her social media on April 20 to express her gratitude for the ongoing support from fans and friends. She shared a video showing her receiving assistance with changing her bandages and managing her wounds, emphasising how much the support meant to her.
Both racers have remained proactive in updating their followers about their individual recoveries. On April 22, Lee shared encouraging news, revealing that she had begun to walk again with the help of her nurses. She noted that her mobility improved each day, allowing her to get out of bed with less discomfort. Accompanied by a video depicting her progress, she expressed her optimism and gratitude for the support she had received throughout her ordeal.
Walton, ever the supportive friend, congratulated Janey in the comments section of her post, expressing pride in Janey’s resilience and progress during her recovery. “Hospital hopscotch goes HARD my girl 🙌😮💨 I love you I’m so proud of you 👏🏼 keep it up,” she wrote, illustrating the strong bond the two women share.
As the race car drivers continue their path to recovery, Janey concluded her Instagram update by thanking everyone for their support, noting that it meant the world to her during these challenging times. “Thank you, everyone, for your continued love and support! It truly means the world to me and helps me push through the toughest of times. I love you all,” she stated, embodying the spirit of perseverance amid adversity.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks faced by professional racers, even during practice sessions. As both Janey Lee and Kylie Marie Walton focus on recovery, the racing community and fans alike stand united in their support for these courageous athletes.