Kevin Swindell suffers "significant" injury at Knoxville

Kevin Swindell was badly injured Thursday night in a sprint car accident during a heat race in the 55th annual Knoxville Nationals.

The 26-year-old from Germantown, Tenn. and son of World of Outlaws legend Sammy flipped into the front-stretch fence on the first lap of a heat race and slammed down on all four wheels. It took several minutes to cut him from the winged sprinter, and he was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

No official word was given on his condition but Amy & Sammy Swindell issued this tweet Friday night:

"Our son Kevin has emerged from surgery and we can confirm he has suffered a significant injury. He had another surgery scheduled for Monday morning."

The Swindells also issued a press release thanking the Knoxville Raceway safety crew for its quick response and care.

Kevin Swindell was talking to safety workers as he was loaded into the ambulance and he sent out a tweet late Friday that read: "Thanks everyone for the love. Long road ahead. Enjoy every minute you got."

Young Swindell has been one of the most versatile racers in the country, winning the prestigious Chili Bowl four times in addition to a pair of ARCA stock car victories and many sprint car features.