The SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma is typically filled with the sound of engines and the roar of passionate race fans during the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. But on Wednesday night, everything went eerily quiet as all thoughts turned to the safety of driver Ashton Torgerson. 

Torgerson, a 16-year old racer from Medford, Oregon, was transported to a local Tulsa hospital after his car flipped several times and his body was ejected from the race car. 

Track officials and the medical team at the event quickly arrived at the scene. It was reported at the race track that Torgerson was awake and alert before he was transported via ambulance to the hospital. 

Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Petersen Media -- the PR firm for Torgerson Racing, provided an update on Torgerson's status. 

Update from the @torgersonracing family on @_Torgerson02 -

Ashton is awake and alert at the hospital. He has feeling in hands and feet and has passed his tests so far.

He’s now going into scans. We will continue to keep you posted. @cbnationals

— Petersen Media (@Petersen_Media) January 12, 2023

Later in the evening, Torgerson Racing released an additional update directly via its Twitter account. 

Update on Ashton @_Torgerson02
Passed back ,neck tests waiting on CT scan... 1st thing he asked me was what place was he in!!.. you have no idea how much the support means to Ashton and the family...

— Torgerson Racing (@torgersonracing) January 12, 2023

On Thursday morning, Torgerson Racing provided another update indicating that doctors have been amazed by how well he's doing. Ashton's father, Danny Torgerson, said in a statement:

“The whole racing community has just been amazing. It means a lot. I think the most important thing is, the responders and the officials at the Chili Bowl, if they weren’t as good as they were, that literally could be a difference between a life and death situation.” 

Torgerson Racing also indicated that Wednesday night's race winner, Rico Abreu, visited Torgerson at the hospital.

@_Torgerson02 update .. Ashton has been resting, CT came back with some blood in the brain so the Dr's are gonna keep an eye on that. Dr's are amazed that he is doing so well..the support from every in amazing @Rico_Abreu you are an amazing man..thank you for checking on him pic.twitter.com/1N61ZxWMUz

— Torgerson Racing (@torgersonracing) January 12, 2023

Shortly after noon on Thursday, Torgerson was released from the emergency room and sent to his own room at the hospital. 

@_Torgerson02 update:out of ER!! Upstairs in our room until tomorrow morning then get another CT scan and see if he has improving...AGAIN, Thank you for all of the support!! It means more than you will ever know

— Torgerson Racing (@torgersonracing) January 12, 2023

Early Friday afternoon, Torgerson took his first short walk in the hospital since the incident and doctors say that he is improving quickly.

Update on @_Torgerson02 .. he got out of the hospital bed for the 1st and went for a short walk!! Dr's said blood on brain has not gotten worse..so thankful he is improving so quickly ..again thank you all..

— Torgerson Racing (@torgersonracing) January 13, 2023

Shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday, Torgerson was cleared to leave the hospital. 

@_Torgerson02 update...Guess who just got cleared to leave the hospital!!!..I truly feel everyone's prayers and support is what made this happen..I can't say thank you enough to each one of you!

— Torgerson Racing (@torgersonracing) January 13, 2023

The incident occurred 10 laps into Wednesday's preliminary night feature around 10:05 p.m. CT. After a brief meeting with drivers in turn two, the race resumed at approximately 10:50 p.m. CT.