LEGENDS REMASTERED: THE SERIES - THE LEGEND OF ERIC MEDLEN

It’s been ten-and-a-half years since a freak accident during what should have been a routine test session took the life of rising Funny Car star Eric Medlen and put into motion a father’s quest to transform personal tragedy into meaningful change in race car design.
In this, the debut episode of Legends: The Series, Season Four, John Medlen talks about his son’s passion for life, his affinity for people and how his pursuit of a dream ultimately landed him in the seat of one of the world’s most powerful race cars and made him a six-time NHRA tour winner.
“(Driving) was something he wanted to do very, very, very bad,” Medlen said of his son, who was just three races into his fourth pro season when he died at age 33. “I did everything I could to talk him out of it (but) I could see that’s where his heart was. That’s what he wanted to do.”
Nevertheless, overcoming his own grief in the aftermath of the accident was a slow and very painful process, one in which he insists Eric played a major role.
“We all get to choose the path we take in life,” he said. “You’ve gotta make the best decisions you can, but it’s your life. It’s a time that God has given us on this planet and you get to pick. We have an arrival date and an ending date and there’s a dash between it all. We get to pick how we live that dash. (Eric) was a perfect example of living (that dash) to the fullest."

[@LonnyJay-vh4yg]

Thank you....

[@troyreif8674]

Thanks to the Medlen family for sharing this, as others have said I can’t imagine how difficult this was. Mr Medlen you are a good man and obviously a great father. In spite of this tough story you have shared Gods love with all of us.

[@LonnyJay-vh4yg]

I remember eric at bandimere crewing for john force,force had won that year and eric was standing covered with grease and grime- he was different from everyone else... Big smile and a good hardworking young man, different then alot of the rest. R.I.P. my freind...

[@Dan-nl2ug]

So much love to you and your family John Medlen,the world lost a great young man,RIP Eric!!

[@vinskeeter]

A buddy told me about this today. He told me he was a fan of Erics and he just happened to walk by Eric the day before the accident at the track and pointed him out to another friend. Eric smiled and gave him a "thumbs up". My friend said he was a great guy and he was very well liked. About the best compliment a Dad could get, I'd say. I'm so sorry. I can't comprehend how tough it would be for a Father to experience this accident, first hand. Thanks for telling us about him.

[@84hurstoldsdude77]

Thank you once again.

[@randysiler7458]

Thank You too everyone involved in production of this Legends channel. 👍👍🇺🇸🏁

[@aaronkelley8909]

Thank you John Medlen.

[@jameson6930]

Courage is a word that gets tossed around alot. It takes alot of courage for this dad to tell this story.

[@joearchuleta4829]

This episode really got to me! Great work! Also the strength it took for John medlen to tell the story was something!

[@wallywire]

What an Exceptional Life Story. So much to be proud of. Thank U Miss You Eric Living the Dream. ❤️

[@charliehill5853]

Thanks again for these great interviews. The Medlens gave the true gift of life. He will always be missed and definitely remembered forever for what was gained from his tragic accident.

[@randysiler7458]

I can’t imagine the amount of faith and strength it took to tell this remembrance of Eric. God Bless the Medlen family 🙏

[@MiscRocketVideos]

Wow. I wasn't following drag racing during this time, but what a sad loss and great story at the same time. Bobby, my shirt is covered in tears and it is due to the love and loss you showed us regarding Eric and John. It is an amazing work that is helpful on so many levels. I am sorry for the loss, of course, but the lives saved due to the research is also great. For John to share his emotions so vividly helps us enjoy those advancements and honor his son. Thank you for sharing this story so people like me can still gain value in the loss the Medlen family has suffered. It has improved my life. Sandy.

[@gregmerritt4278]

God that was a hard episode to watch. I felt so bad for John with the loss of Eric.

[@randysiler7458]

Two emotional legends videos in one week Darrell and Eric will hopefully never been forgotten. RIP!

[@franksantos4505]

Wow....31:48 I believe it was Eric with Angel Wings....he knew he was leaving and wanted to see Mom & Dad..💔 May He Rest In Peace...Amen 🕊️💚🖤🙏🏽🙏🏽🖤💚🕊️ E.M

[@kevinchambers2401]

So awesome I’ve been waiting for this one!!

[@michaelguziak4680]

》》 **I was a crew.member.on A TOP Fuel Dragster Team.. Talked to Eric for just a two minutes in the staging lanes at one race.. He was Such A Friendly Well Spoken Young Man. > A Minute Later I Thought. YOU KNOW WHAT. HE WAS SO COOL AND NICE TO ME AND HE DID NOT EVEN HAVE TO SPEAK TO ME AT ALL.. BUT> HE DID.. I WILL NEVER FORGET HIM AND THOSE MOMENT'S THAT WE TALKED!! >> THANK YOU, ERIC..

[@randysiler7458]

Never met Eric but was a big admirer of him and his dad. Congratulations to Mr Medlen on his retirement. RIP Eric!

[@andypuckett8721]

Mr melden I’m so sorry that Eric had to go I’ve lost so many people close in my life never my son I can’t do this

[@michaelguziak4680]

ERIC'S DAD MENTIONED ABOUT THE LITTLE BOY AT THE ROPES.. I WOULD GIVE YOUNG KIDS USED SPARK PLUGS THAT I KEPT IN MY POCKET. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS A 300 MILE PER HOUR SPARK PLUG. I GAVE THEM TO THE KIDS AS A REMEMBERANCE OF THAT DAY. THE PARENTS ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY COOL THAT I DID THAT. NEVER KEPT ONE FOR MYSELF. THEY WERE FOR THE KIDS..

[@Jbobloochjr3]

Love this episode. Great job!! Any idea when Ace McCullough story teller will be out and any chance on possibly a Eddie Hill episode Thanks again!

[@AnthonyLincoln-sg1py]

My first time attending the NHRA Northwest Nationals was 2005 I still have my Hero Card/Handout that I got signed by Eric. He is missed a lot.