Creasy takes the wheel at IHRA Nitro Nationals

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah  - It's the day he's been waiting on for nearly a year. Dale Creasy, Jr. will take over the driving duties this weekend on his 8,000 horsepower Nitro Funny Car during the IHRA Nitro Nationals at Rocky Mountain Raceways. Creasy's Beaver Shredding / Tek Pak Nitro Funny Car is the same type of car that nearly ended the two-time IHRA World Champion's racing career last July in Edmonton Alberta. The freak accident in Edmonton left Dale with a badly mangled left leg, requiring nearly a dozen surgeries and ongoing rehabilitation.

"I've got a few butterflies," Creasy admitted about this weekend's race. "But I always do when I get in the car. You have to respect the power and speed of these machines."

Creasy's first race will be a grudge match against current defending IHRA Funny Car Champion, Terry Haddock. Creasy was leading in the 2008 points chase for a third consecutive title before the season ending injury. The two champions will clash in Salt Lake and then take their grudge match to the IHRA River Cree Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton the following weekend.

New Funny Car motivates Creasy's recovery

BEECHER, Ill.  - Short winters are usually enough downtime for most drag racers before they're rested and ready for the thrill of competition. For Dale Creasy, Jr., this July will mark the second year he has not driven his Nitro Funny Car since the Edmonton injury that nearly ended his drag racing career. Creasy looks forward and works daily towards his return.

It took 11 surgeries to repair his leg well enough to begin the rehabilitation process, each painful step taken with the aid of a cane. Creasy starts each day on a stationary bike, followed by at home rehab excesses and visits to a physical therapist. "I'm in better shape now than I was before the accident," Creasy laughs. His doctor agrees and passed Dale for his annual drag racing physical. "All I have to do now is prove that I can get in and out of the car to be able to go back to driving," the 2-time IHRA Champion says with a familiar twinkle in his eye. "If I can get in and out of the car quickly and safely without injuring my leg. I'll be racing. If not, I'll be the first one to tell myself not do it. I've come to far [rehabilitation] to take a chance of injuring my leg again."

Nearly two-full years without driving can be discouraging for a guy that has lived to race, but Creasy has kept busy and has found ways to stay focused on his dream of returning to competition. "The cards, letters and emails from fans have always been encouraging to me," Creasy said. "Plus keeping in touch with other drivers and team members help. Lately this new Funny Car keeps me focused. Working on it has been my motivation to keep up with all of the rehab. Sometimes the doctors want me to slow down a little."

Creasy hopes 11 is his lucky number

INDIANAPOLIS -- Eleven wins over the past three IHRA season gave Dale Creasy, Jr. two consecutive World Championships. He's hoping the number eleven is his lucky number.

Creasy will undergo his 11th surgery today to repair damage to the leg he injured during a July '08 race in Edmonton. Through it all, Creasy remains upbeat. "I'm not going to let it whip me," he said before the surgery. "I'm looking forward to going back to Edmonton and whipping that track. We were leading that race when the transmission failure happened. Our team deserves to go back out there and beat that track. The great fans in Edmonton and drag racing fans from all over the world have shown so much support to me during this time. I'm determined to get back out there as a way to say thank you to them."

Creasy's road to recovery has had its fair share of tire shake and smoking tires. As recently as the December 2008 IHRA Banquet Creasy was seen walking with the aid of crutches and a walker. His appearance led to a standing ovation when IHRA President Aaron Polburn noted in his opening remarks how inspiring it was to see 'Peanut'.

During a subsequent check up the doctors discovered infection in his leg that would require the 10th surgery and now the 11th to make additional repairs.

"The doctors are optimistic that when this is done I should be able to start rehabilitation again," Creasy said. Meanwhile 'The Champ' is making plans. "I've got a lot of time to sit around and think. I'm ready to get busy working on the car. It doesn't matter if it's a match race, a grudge race or a race for the championship - we're going to be back out there."

Creasy optimistic - 7th surgery is his last

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Dale Creasy, Jr. - two-time and defending IHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion is recovering from his seventh surgery since his accident during the Rocky Mountain Nationals this past July 4th in Edmonton, Alberta.

The most recent surgery to repair the calf muscle in his left leg was said to be a success. Creasy is looking forward to beginning the rehabilitation process.

"It's been a long ordeal," Creasy said from his room at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. "All the doctors have been great. This facility is great They're doing everything they can and I can't thank them enough."

In between surgery's Creasy was able to join his team for successful outings in Martin, Tulsa and Epping with his good friend John Lawson behind the wheel.

"It was really important for us to be back out there," Dale said. "We really wanted to do it as a 'thank you' to our fans and the IHRA for all of the support they gave to me, my family and my team. I also wanted to thank John [Lawson] for stepping in and driving our car for us. It meant a lot to everyone on our team to see our car out there again racing. John helped us with that opportunity."

To all of our Family, Friends and Fans

After two weeks in the hospital and four surgeries later in Edmonton, Canada, I'm back at home and on my way to recovery. Although I have a long road to recovery ahead of me, I am already working on plans for next season and hope to be back in the driver's seat at the beginning of the 2009 season.

There are so many people that have helped us during the last couple of weeks that it's hard to know where to begin. The support and get well wishes have been truly overwhelming.