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."