Ryan Waterman Remains Hospitalized After Vicious Street Stock Wreck At Thompson

Ryan Waterman, a longtime Street Stock division standout across multiple Southern New England short tracks, remains hospitalized today following an awful wreck on Wednesday evening at Thompson Speedway. 

Waterman was airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment of his injuries. 

Waterman was battling for the lead with Corey Fanning on lap 19 of the 25-lap Street Stock feature Wednesday at Thompson when the incident occurred. 

Waterman was on the inside, just ahead of Fanning going down the frontstretch as the pair crossed the start/finish line to complete lap 18. Going into the corner contact between the two sent Waterman’s car violently to the right resulting in an essentially head-on impact with the wall at the entrance to turn one. Video replays indicate that Fanning turned left, hooking the right rear of Waterman’s car and sending him head-on into the wall. Fanning was ejected from the event after the incident. 

Waterman was initially transported from the Thompson Speedway by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam for evaluation. He was then airlifted from Day Kimball to UMass Medical Center. 

Waterman confirmed to RaceDayCT Thursday that he suffered a broken sternum, a concussion and a sprained left wrist in the wreck Wednesday. He remains at UMass Medical Center today being treated for the multiple injuries. 

Waterman, of Danielson, is the reigning Street Stock champion at Thompson Speedway. He was also the Stafford Speedway Street Stock champion in 2023. Waterman has Street Stock victories during his career at Thompson, Stafford, the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 

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