Dale Creasy, Jr. spoke via phone with friends and family shortly after his final surgery on Sunday. He remains in good spirits, despite being a long way from home.

"I can't say enough about the entire staff here at Royal Alex," he said. "They have really made this stay as pleasant as possible, but I'm ready to go home."

The downtime has given the 2-time IHRA Funny Car Champion time to think and reflect. "I don't want anyone to have to go through what I did, but having gone through this, it really makes you aware of the special people around you every day. Craig and the entire Trackside Safety crew did a great job of getting me out of my car. Every race, every lap, they're right there waiting to put themselves on the line to help racers. How can you say thanks for that?" Dale Creasy, Jr. spoke via phone with friends and family shortly after his final surgery on Sunday. He remains in good spirits, despite being a long way from home.

"I can't say enough about the entire staff here at Royal Alex," he said. "They have really made this stay as pleasant as possible, but I'm ready to go home."

The downtime has given the 2-time IHRA Funny Car Champion time to think and reflect. "I don't want anyone to have to go through what I did, but having gone through this, it really makes you aware of the special people around you every day. Craig and the entire Trackside Safety crew did a great job of getting me out of my car. Every race, every lap, they're right there waiting to put themselves on the line to help racers. How can you say thanks for that?"

While Creasy knows that drivers and fellow racers have always had a special bond, he found himself overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from fans and extended family.

"There are a lot of great drag racing fans that have said a lot of prayers on my behalf, I'm certainly thankful for that," Creasy said. "But people like Rob and Kim Reeves and sponsors like Darrel and Rod and the entire Jet Label staff, have gone way above the call of duty. They treated me and (wife) Laurie and (brother) Steve like family. I could never thank them enough for all they have done."

Creasy will continue his recovery in Edmonton for the next several days and is expected to return home sometime the week of July 21st.

Creasy is also planning to be in attendance for the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals, August 1-3 in Martin, Michigan.

"We won't be racing, but we'll have our truck and car there," Creasy said. "It's what we do. We're drag racers, it's my family and friends. I'll be there."