Brandon Bernstein: "I feel like I've lost a part of me. Eric and I were always texting on our phones, if we weren't talking on the phone, or hanging out together. I can't imagine what it's going to be like at the racetrack without him.

"He would make a loop through our pits several times a weekend. I'd see him on the starting line or at the end of the track when I'd make a run. If he was out of competition on race day and I was still in, he'd be down at the top end of the track every run.

"Now my phone is silent, and there's a big empty void. My heart goes out to Eric's family, especially his dad who I know so well, and to John Force and the race team.

"Here's what I'd like the world to know about Eric Medlen. Eric was the kindest, most genuine person you would ever hope to meet. He was always upbeat, and he could conjure a smile out of you no matter how down in the dumps you were.

"This is the epitome of an Eric story. One year when I was dejected in Indy because we hadn't done well in qualifying. I had left the track and was on my way back to my apartment. The phone rings, and it's Eric trying to cheer me up. I wasn't communicating at the positive level Eric was expecting, so he finally said, 'Hey, what have you got in your freezer at home?' What a weird question and where did that come from? I said I wasn't sure, and he said, 'Well, have you got any ice cream?' Well, yeah, I thought I had some ice cream, I said, wondering where this conversation was going. Then Eric said, 'You should eat a bowl of ice cream when you get home because nobody can be unhappy when they're eating ice cream.' And I had to laugh -- just the response he was looking for.

"I think Eric ate ice cream for every meal. He was that happy. And he loved that race car.

"I have been angry and sad and empty and at peace and then angry and sad again. J.R. Todd, Eric, and I had an especially close bond. We called ourselves the 'three brothers.' J.R. and I will be competing with a photo of the three of us inside the cockpit of our race cars. At least I will feel close to Eric. And in my mind's eye, I will see him with his big grin at the top end of the racetrack.

"One day the pain and the grief will lessen, and I will be able to look back and laugh at some of our antics. I know for sure my life was truly blessed for having Eric in it."

Morgan Lucas: “Eric was one of my best friends, and it's so hard to understand why all this happened, and his loss in immeasurable. I will miss him so much that words really can't say what I'm feeling now, and he is certainly a friend that will never leave my thoughts. I will never forget his way and am dedicating every run to his memory and passion to the sport we both love.”

"It was overheard on the public address system on Friday after his first qualifying pass at the Gatornationals of Medlen amplifying his love of life offering praise to everyone at JFR and giving thanks for having, as he said, ‘the best team with the best crew chief, my dad!' He was always one to offer accolades, and just like his personality, he was someone you were just drawn to by his beaming smile.

“It definitely puts life into perspective after this turn of events. He was a great person and did what he did because he loved it. He was always grateful to all the people in his life and treated them as he wanted to be. I never had so much motivation to win a race for him as I did yesterday in Memphis, as well as for the rest of the season. I can't wait to see him again someday and will never forget him. He was a true friend.”

Andrew Hines: “It's a tough loss for everybody. I didn't get a whole lot of chances to hang out with him, but when we did talk, we always had a good laugh. It's rough on the entire racing community, whether you race a bike or drive a car. He left his mark on the sport, and it won't be the same without him.”

Marshall Baker, crewmember: "It was the Indy race in 1986 when Eric decided he wanted to be a Funny Car driver. I know because track security picked up two kids out on the track who were picking up pieces of Billy Meyer's Funny Car body, and one of the boys was my son. The other one was Eric Medlen. When security took them to Billy's pit to return the pieces, Billy immediately befriended them and said they could have the whole body if they could carry it.

"To this day, the front nose is hanging in the showroom at Baker's Speed Shop in Russellville, Ark. Eric confided to my son that he was going to be a driver and be nice like Billy Meyer when he grew up."

Whit Bazemore: “Medlen was a guy who loved what he did, and it always showed in his expression, demeanor, and smile -- win or lose. When he first started driving, I took his carefree attitude and him always smiling and joking as a lack of seriousness and application. But after I got to know Medlen a little, I realized he was indeed very serious about being competitive, and during the last year or so, he seemed to me to be a young guy who was slowly discovering his own world.

"He cared about winning, and I realize now that it is possible to be competitive without being a stone-cold bastard on Sundays. He could still joke -- and he did all the time -- but he also became serious during some conversations we had together.

"It seems such a waste, and even though he raced for the team that has been my biggest competition, I wish I had made more of an effort to be a real friend to him. Selfishly, it is my loss."

Hillary Will: "Eric always knew how to light up a room … or even a bus. On Friday morning at our race in Phoenix, I had a breakfast to attend near the track with a big group of fans. I was sitting with them on a bus at 7 a.m. The atmosphere on there was kind of dull and lackluster, reflecting the fact that no one had had breakfast or coffee yet. There was very little energy. Then Eric and all his energy jumped on the bus, and it was like the electricity came on. It didn't matter that it was 7 a.m. and people were barely awake. Eric seemed as though he had just won a race, and his enthusiasm was contagious. The whole atmosphere of the bus changed. He had everyone talking and laughing. This was common whenever Eric came around. I know that race fans loved seeing Eric, and I know I especially looked forward to driver appearances when I knew Eric was going to be there.

“A lot of people got to see Eric's funny, humorous side, but he also had a serious side. Last season, I had a lot of tough and frustrating races. Eric was there many times to offer me some helpful advice. He always had very practical things to say to me because he knew what it was like to enter the Professional world of drag racing on a high-profile team. I realize how fortunate Robert Hight and Ashley Force must have felt to have him as a mentor. I never thanked Eric for being there with helpful advice, but I still carry his words with me. Now, my family, my team, and I will carry his spirit in our hearts forever."

Kurt Johnson: “It's a terrible tragedy and a huge blow to drag racing. I still find it hard to believe, but we've lost one of the sport's young stars. He was just out there on Monday, trying to get his junk to go faster, when something went terribly wrong. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Medlen family and to everyone at John Force Racing. Competing in a different division, I really didn't know him all that well. However, of the six races he won in his career, I feel fortunate to have shared a winner's circle with Eric in Seattle. Standing next to him on the podium that day was probably the closest I was to him and will always be a special memory. We're certainly going to miss him.”

Warren Johnson: “Eric was one of the fan favorites, and we've lost him way too soon. I always enjoyed his interviews at the top end. Not only did he have something pretty interesting to say, but he always conveyed an incredible level of excitement, which the fans really picked up on. He was just a neat kid, and without a doubt, he will be sorely missed.  Our thoughts go out to John Medlen and the entire Medlen family as well as the entire John Force Racing organization.”

Rod Fuller: "At Memphis in 2005, Eric had just won in front of us, and he was the first person to greet me after I won my first race in Top Fuel. He hugged me before the camera crew got there. And we got to share that win together. Ever since then, we were good buddies. I knew his dad, John, very well with us being from Arkansas. John built our motors when I first started getting into racing in the early ‘90s. We were sort of the same age, and our families were involved in racing, so we came from the same place. It's just a sad, surreal feeling. I was talking with him on Monday morning at testing. We just send our thoughts and pray for his family and the John Force Racing family."

Cruz Pedregon: "I considered Eric a good friend, and I'm taking this very hard. Each driver we've lost since I started racing has hit me harder, from Blaine Johnson to Darrell Russell and now to Eric. This one has been especially hard, I guess, because Eric was a Funny Car driver like me.

"Eric loved what he did. He was very enthusiastic about everything. He was a lot like Darrell in that everyone liked the guy. You couldn't help but like him. His father, John Medlen, is the nicest guy in the world, and I could see from early on that Eric inherited that gene from him. He was a great human being.

"I'm going to dedicate my season to Eric Medlen right now."

Tony Pedregon: "Eric and I remained the best of friends after working together for eight years. I respected Eric not just as a friend but also as a driver and competitor. I am privileged to have been able to work with someone with so much talent and ability. He made me smile every time we talked or saw one another. John Medlen raised a very unique and special son. I loved Eric like a brother. He will be missed by me, my family, and my team."

Phil Burkart Jr.: "My heart goes out to the Medlen and Force families. This is sad beyond words; Eric was a friend to us all. He was so enthusiastic, a great representative for this sport. His high-spirited, positive attitude permeated throughout the pits. He was great with the fans, and he was genuinely great to be around. In drag racing, we're all a family, and when something like this happens, it just wipes us out. We go out there knowing the risks, but we never expect something like this to happen, and when it does, it really drives home how fragile we are. I'll really miss seeing Eric out there; he was a true competitor and truly one of the good guys." 

KB Racing LLC: “It has been nearly a week since the tragic accident happened and just one day since Eric left us, but the impact of his passing comes with great sadness which will live with us for a lifetime. As drivers you know the dangers in our sport, but you put them aside and do what you love to do, but the impact of Eric's death will live on forever. He was a good driver on the verge of superstardom. Beyond racing, he was genuine and fun to be around. His smile was contagious. He will not be forgotten as a driver, but more importantly, he will not be forgotten as a person. From KB Racing, our prayers continue for the Medlen family, the Force Racing family, and those who in some way have been touched by Eric's life and now his tragic death. As the days progress, may we celebrate his life.”

Allen Johnson: “Eric was one of the real nice guys out there, always smiling and down to earth. Like with my father, it's always special to accomplish what he did with his father. We will certainly miss him and wish the family well during this time.”

Larry Dixon: “I am definitely going to miss Eric. After working with his dad, I know where he got his sense of humor. He was that rare person who could cast light on a cloudy day. We could use him right now. The whole ordeal for me is very hard to comprehend. It doesn't make it any better for us, but he was doing what he absolutely loved doing. Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Medlen family. John, you raised a great kid.”

Cory McClenathan: "This is a very sad night for the Medlen family, not to mention the whole racing community. I was on the way to Bristol and received the news on my layover in Charlotte. Needless to say, it was devastating to hear. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be missed greatly and, of course, never forgotten.”

Scott Kalitta: “How bad I feel is irrelevant; words can't even describe my feelings now. Eric had such a positive, unselfish, kind disposition about him. I wish I was half of Eric Medlen in that regard. He was a true friend to everybody. My heart truly bleeds for his family, and right now I wish we could wake up and this be just a nightmare. Going to the track will NEVER be the same. The only positive thing I can extract from this is Eric went doing what he loved, and if there is life after death, he's up there right now smiling down upon us feeling fulfilled. I can only hope when the shock and pain subsides we will then be able to celebrate his life and all that he has contributed to us in his life. Godspeed, Eric.”

Kalitta Motorsports: “Everyone at Kalitta Motorsports is saddened by the news of Eric's death. To lose a competitor as well as a friend is completely unimaginable. Eric's smile and gentle-hearted laugh was inescapable to his peers and to drag racing fans across the world. Eric will be irreplaceable, but we as a drag racing community must continue to do our best to honor his name in all of our actions from this day on. Our condolences go to the Medlen family, John Force Racing, and everyone privileged enough to have known the great man that Eric Medlen was.”

Matt Smith: "The first time I ever met Eric was last year when he won in Sonoma. We were all in the winner's circle, and that's when the fuel winners received electric guitars. Everybody knew Eric had a background in playing them, so people were shouting 'Play Eric, play.' He asked if anybody had a pic to use so that he could play. Well, of course, no one did. I realized I had on my Oakley shoes, which had a pic in them. So I was like, 'Here, Eric, use this.' He played his heart out, and we all cheered. Some time went by, and we were all taking pictures with our own teams. Next thing I know, I was getting tapped on the shoulder, and he was handing my pic back to me. I know this may sound crazy, but from then on out, I was an Eric Medlen fan. I mean, he didn't have to come give me the pic back, but that's the type of person he was: caring, generous, just a good-natured guy. My heart goes out to John Medlen and his extended family. Eric will truly be missed. He was one in a million!!!"

Rickie Smith: "I am just heartbroken. Words can't even describe how I feel. The racing community has truly lost one of its brightest stars. Eric was a great guy and one heck of a racer. He was a genuine, warm-hearted individual, and each one of us is a better person for just coming in contact with him. Eric, you will be missed more than you could ever know. My family and I send our condolences out to John Medlen, his family, and the entire Force Racing team."

Mike Ashley: “I am sick to my stomach over the loss of Eric. I and the entire Torco Gotham City team pray for peace for Eric and the entire family that comprises John Force Racing. Eric was a fun-loving, friendly, and energetic soul. You could just feel his passion for what he did. Eric represented the all-American dreamer in all of us. He worked his way up the ranks until he got the opportunity to realize his dream. Racing alongside Eric was an honor, a privilege, and an experience. The only peace comes in knowing Eric is in a better place ... and heaven will be a better place with our friend. To the Force and Medlen families, I'm so sorry for this tragedy. As part of your extended racing family, we are here for you.”

Gary Scelzi: “I'm shocked, and I'm numb. In my mind, I thought he was going to make it through and be the Eric we were all used to seeing and joking with, playing with, and racing against. Words don't describe what I feel right now. It just doesn't seem right. But my heart goes out to John and Eric's family. I know everybody says that, but these guys are close friends of mine, and this just devastates me.”

Ron Capps: “Eric had a passion for life. He just wanted to be out there, whether it was working as a crewmember or driving. Being in that race car, as his dad, John, will tell you, was everything he dreamed of. If he would have been a crewmember on John Force's car for the rest of his career before driving, he would have been happy with that. He was a real pleasure to be around. I will have nothing but good memories of him and that goofy smirk he always had on his face.”

Del Worsham: "On behalf of every member of Worsham Racing and all of our associates at CSK Auto, I want to stop for a minute on this very difficult day to say we have lost a great man and a great friend. Moments like these are crushing, and no matter how well you think you've prepared yourself to hear the news, you're never able to accept it without a huge amount of shock and sadness.

"When I think of Eric, one of the things I think of is that this sport is made up of such a wide variety of people. NHRA Drag Racing is not only diverse, it's also full of all types of personalities, ranging from drivers who are quiet and unassuming to people who are very outspoken and flamboyant. Eric was one of those rare guys who just came across as totally honest and totally real, and that sparkle in his eye just said, 'Man, I love this.' He never put on airs, he never tried to be anything he wasn't meant to be. There was also a connection between us because, just like me, he had the joy of racing with his father every day. Because of that, I know my dad feels the loss very deeply, too.

"Right now, we're all kind of stunned and in pain. I think it may be a while before we know how much we're really going to miss Eric and how big a hole his loss will leave in our lives and in our sport.  All of our thoughts and support go out to the Medlen family and all of our dear friends at John Force Racing. We have all lost a friend and a brother."

Tony Schumacher: “Obviously, my family and I are deeply saddened by the news of Eric's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Medlen family. It's really a sad day for the entire NHRA community. I really didn't know Eric very well, but during the times that we chatted during driver introductions and in the pit area, it was very apparent that he was a terrific representative for the sport. You could also tell that he truly appreciated the job that he had with John Force Racing and that he just flat out enjoyed racing. He always had a smile on his face, which was nice to see. Rest assured that Eric will be missed by a lot of people.”

Don Schumacher: “All of us at Don Schumacher Racing are deeply saddened by the passing of Eric Medlen. Eric was a rival on 23 Sunday afternoons at NHRA races but a great friend to all of us at DSR. We shared many laughs and stories along the way with Eric, his dad, John, and his teammates. His smile was easy and genuine. He knew he was a lucky guy to drive one of the four John Force Mustang Funny Cars and to have his dad as his crew chief. He respected his responsibilities as a young ambassador for John Force Racing, his sponsors, and NHRA POWERade Drag Racing. Our hearts go out to the Medlen family, the John Force Racing organization, and everyone who knew and loved Eric Medlen.”

Jack Beckman: “When you think about it, it brings tears to your eyes. Eric was wonderful. He came out to the Hawley school. Frank got him his alcohol license, so we had become good friends. When I was going through cancer, Eric gave me a nice get-well comment on one of the national event coverages. There isn't anybody over at the John Force operation I don't love, and Eric was right there.”

Bill Nychay, director of marketing/sponsorship, Jagermeister Racing: “It is unbelievable. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain the family and all at JFR must be going through. While I wasn't real close with Eric, I did have the pleasure of hanging with him and Ron Capps when my band Kicking K8 played Brainerd ('The Zoo') last year. He sat side stage and was having a great time. He was a genuine and funny guy. During our set, Capps was on stage singing with us, and a female ‘fan' threw a piece of ‘fan mail' to him that landed on the bridge of his nose; I don't think Eric ever laughed so hard at Capps' expression. It was a great time. Since then, we have seen each other in the staging lanes, and he always asked when the next concert was. Eric, I wish we could have spent more time getting to know each other; you were doing what you loved to do. Rest in peace, my friend."

Dan Davis, director, Ford Racing Technology: “This is really tough to take.  We are just heartbroken for Eric's family. He was such a great person and a tremendous competitor. Eric had an energy about him that was totally contagious. He was the type of guy who lit up the room the minute he walked into it. And if you knew him, you couldn't help but root for him because of how he came up through the sport and his absolute commitment to his work. The loss we feel at Ford is indescribable.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, to John Force Racing, and to his fans. The sport lost one of its best people today."

Chris Powell, general manager, Las Vegas Motor Speedway: "Eric Medlen's death has left a huge void in the racing community. Many of us at Las Vegas Motor Speedway have gotten to know Eric on both a professional and personal level. His willingness to assist the speedway in promoting events was second to none. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway family extends its sympathy and prayers to Eric's family and the John Force Racing family."

Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway: “With his Northern California roots and the success he's had in Sonoma, Eric built a real following as a local favorite. I know the thoughts and prayers of all our fans go out to Eric's family and to his team at John Force Racing. This is a sad day for the racing community.”

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