The Associated Press

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - Three Army skydivers were injured Sunday when strong wind knocked them to the ground before a NASCAR race.

A group of eight jumpers from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute team from Fort Bragg came sailing into the track area, trailing red smoke as part of the pre-race activities for the Subway 400 at North Carolina Speedway.

With winds up to 40 mph, one jumper was carried away from his targeted landing on the track and into the infield, where he appeared to bounce off the top of a tractor-trailer before landing on the ground, his chute caught on the antenna of a van.

He was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte and was in good condition, a nursing administrator said.

The hospital did not provide the soldier's name.

Another jumper sailed into the garage area and bounced off the top of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s hauler. He landed between race team trucks and a fence.

That jumper, as well as a third who landed hard on the asphalt of the track, were taken to Womack Army Hospital in Fayetteville for treatment of minor injuries.

Track personnel did not immediately have their names or any other information about the soldiers.

At least two jumpers nailed their landings on the front stretch of the race track.

Another skydiver never made it to the track, landing outside the Turn 1 grandstands.

MCMURRAY MAKING NOISE: When teammate Sterling Marlin exited the race with motor problems, rookie McMurray was responsible for carrying the Chip Ganassi Racing team.

He did by demonstrating the poise and patience of a veteran to finish fifth on Sunday.

McMurray, who set a NASCAR record last season by winning in his second Winston Cup start as Marlin's injury replacement, is proving that the victory was no fluke.

CAN'T SHAKE THE STREAK: Wallace wanted to mark his 600th career start with his first victory in almost two seasons.

But after leading a race-high 182 laps early in the race, an ill-handling car stretched his winless streak to 64. He wound up sixth.

"That thing was a bullet, it was flying," he said. "It was handling perfect and the motor ran great. About three-quarters through the race. I could see the track turning black and I had the thing turning good, and it just got too free."

BAD LUCK FOR JUNIOR: Dale Earnhardt Jr. was done in on Sunday by bad parts and bad breaks at North Carolina Speedway.

He started 12th and was riding along until he made contact with Jeff Gordon, smashing in the left front fender on his Chevrolet. It led to a flat tire.

"Jeff came up into the left-front fender and knocked the left-front fender in on the tire," said Junior. "We blew the left-front tire out. That just set us in all kinds of trouble, as far as trying to fix that."