Recovery Mode: Ryan Waterman Eyes 2026 Return To Racing After Devastating Thompson Crash

STAFFORD – Being in victory lane celebrating Street Stock victories is an activity that Ryan Waterman has become very familiar with through his racing career. 

The veteran racer from Danielson has driven to Street Stock feature wins at Thompson Speedway, Stafford Speedway, the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and even New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 

Of late though, that celebrating for Waterman as a driver has unfortunately been replaced by celebrating as a crew member. 

On doctor’s orders, Waterman is sitting out the remainder of the 2025 season while recovering from shattering injuries sustained in a horrifying wreck during a Street Stock feature on April 16 at Thompson Speedway. 

“It definitely could have been worse so I’m happy to be here,” Waterman said Friday at Stafford Speedway, where he was serving as a crew member for Street Stock division driver Aaron Plemons.

“Pretty upset it even happened to be honest with you,” Waterman said. “It should have never happened. But here we are, we’ve got to do what we can to get through it.”

Waterman was battling for the lead with Corey Fanning on lap 19 of a 25-lap Street Stock feature on April 16 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 turn one, 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 indicated 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 and suspended indefinitely by Thompson Speedway operators. 

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

Waterman sustained a broken sternum, a concussion and sprained left wrist in the wreck and spent two days at UMass Medical Center being treated. 

“I’m still a little sore but I’m getting around, doing normal things,” Waterman said. “I’m going in the right direction.” 

Doctor’s have advised Waterman not to race again until the 2026 season. 

“They want me to wait until next year. It’s killing me not driving, but that’s probably the plan, wait until next year. … The sternum, I broke it in two spots. One spot was a clean break and then another spot was a crack. They worry about the clean break because it’s so close to the heart. … I’ve just got to take it easy. If I overdo anything or do anything too hard I’ll probably need surgery. It’s been rough but we’re getting through it.” 

Waterman, a former Street Stock division champion at Thompson Speedway and Stafford Speedway, said if not for his children he’d probably already be back racing.

“I’ve got two kids at home, I’ve got to do the right thing and wait it out,” Waterman said. “If I didn’t have kids I’d probably already be back.” 

On July 11 at Stafford, Waterman was celebrating in victory lane with Plemons, who scored his third win of the season at the half-mile. Waterman said he enjoys helping the team, but it’s not easy being at the track watching other’s get to go racing. 

“When I’m here to watch it’s pretty tough,” Waterman said. “It’s like an alcoholic that’s trying to quit [drinking] going to the bar. I’m still going to the bar, ya know.”

Waterman said he has had no contact with Fanning since the crash took place. 

“I hope nobody ever has to deal with this … from him again,” Waterman said. :I would hope that he feels bad and that it won’t ever happen to anybody again. I can only hope. That’s how most people I think would feel. I’ve got to have faith that he feels that way. Maybe he doesn’t, maybe he does. I haven’t talked to him, don’t know. 

In a social media post after the incident, Fanning denied that he intentionally wrecked Waterman. Asked if he is surprised he never heard from Fanning, Waterman said: “Honestly a little bit. It was clearly on purpose, but even if it was an accident, wouldn’t you feel bad? Most people you think would feel bad you know.”