“I wanna be honest.  The God’s truth is that I’m really rusty.  I’ve never been out of the seat for this long, four-and-a-half months.  I’m having to get up at six in the morning, do a full workout, then go to the track.  I knock out a couple more workouts in the bus during the day.  Then I go home late at night.  I didn’t get back to the hotel until 10 last night and then I worked out until 11:30, just so I can keep bending.

“I’m wearing a brace on my left leg and I’ve been having trouble holding the clutch down.  What they had to do was take the pedal out of Ashley’s car because they had built her a special pedal ‘cause she didn’t have the strength to hold the clutch down and now her dad doesn’t, either, because my left leg is still weak, the one that had the compound fracture. 

“Bottom line, with that special clutch pedal, I’m able to control the clutch.  I’m able to steer.   Shoving the fuel pumps off is easy.  Turning them on, though, is hard.  So they worked out here until 2 in the morning building a new fuel shutoff that uses different leverage.  That’s what Coil’s the best at. Rob Wendland has really worked on this car to make it work for me.  When I walked up this morning, the fuel shutoff was perfect.

“It’s hard getting around all day and I’m exhausted at the end of the day but I’ve got no complaints.  I’m just happy to wake up every day.  I’ve got aches and pain but I’m getting better.  I’ve been at the track six days and it’s more of a workout than when I go to the gym.  This is the best therapy I could have.  My PT (Physical Trainer Robert Ortmayer) was with me all weekend.  He’s gone back home but I’m going back into see him at 7 a.m. on Friday.  I’ve never missed a day of therapy.  Just ask him.  Every day since the crash. I’m pushing the envelope a little. 

“I’m just happy that the car seems to work.  I’ve been sick for months that it wasn’t and then the first three days here we didn’t have cars to run.  We sat here Friday and Saturday and didn’t get to run with everybody else.  Then it rained on Sunday.  That’s why we’re here so late.  We should have been home already resting and getting ready for the Winternationals – but it’s okay.  It’s great to be back at the races. 

“The Tascas are out here testing their new Mustang and trying to get III (Bob Tasca III) licensed on a tough track.  Car looks great with all the Motorcraft ID on it.  And it’s fun with some new people in the class.  Melanie Troxel.  That’s a great addition in Funny Car and I know Ashley’s looking forward to it because it gives her somebody to talk to.

“I’m just glad to be here; glad to be back driving my ol’ hot rod.” 

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