SCORE Racer Mark Luhtala passes away in San Diego hospital

SCORE is extremely saddened to announce the death of SCORE racer Mark Luhtala as the result of a heart attack suffered on Wednesday (Nov. 23) while recovering from the amputation of a portion of his left leg at the University of California San Diego Medical Center (UCSD). Luhtala, 48, was injured in a racing accident early last Saturday morning during the SCORE Baja 1000. Luhtala, from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was severely injured when his Trophy Truck Spec race truck apparently collided head-on near Borrego with Class 1 competitor Cody Parkhouse. Luhtala and Parkhouse, 29, of Long Beach, Calif., were both transported to UCSD and Parkhouse remains in the UCSD ICU department in serious, but stable condition with considerable trauma injuries. Luhtala was a graduate of Southern Illinois University, was also an experienced pilot and owner/president of Luhtech Jet, a jet aircraft maintenance company based in West Palm Beach, Fla. All of us in the SCORE family send our sincere condolences and continuing thoughts and prayers to Luhtala's two daughters (aged 12 and two) other close family members, his wife Holly and everyone impacted by this racing accident. The SCORE Nation also sends thoughts, prayers and well-wishes to the Parkhouse family during this time of critical need as well. Donations are being accepted and assistance is already being provided through http://www.fast-aid.org/donations.html