NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver James Stevens got a rude reminder of the power of a 4,000-horsepower race car and the power of what an over-the-wall wreck in the neighborhood of 270 miles an hour or more can do to the human body.
But more importantly, he and wife Shaun are realizing the power of prayer.
Much more mighty than destructive forces, prayer is what is uplifting the family following his violent Round 1 crash Saturday night during the Lucas Oil Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
The Gothenburg, Neb., family is far away from home, in Southern California, as James Stevens recovers from surgeries after suffering a broken forearm, broken left wrist, broken C-7 vertebra, bruised lung, and rib fractures.
But Shaun Stevens, James’ wife of 23 years, said via a Facebook post Wednesday, “Need lots of prayers. We are feeling the prayers and God holding us thru this.” The day before, she wrote, “He will have a long road ahead but with God and family and friends we got this! Thank you!”
She shared Tuesday that her husband was able to sit up for the first time since the accident and ensuing surgeries. In that post, she said, “He will be getting a back brace and will still continue to wear neck brace until he can have surgery on his neck.”
Shaun Stevens said James will be undergoing physical therapy and occupational therapy, and she said he “needs prayers for strength to be able to do what they ask of him.”
In Wednesday’s post, she said James walked to a chair with a lot of assistance. “His right leg is numb for the first time” and that he was going to undergo a scan that would help doctors understand why that is the case.
“If that is OK,” she wrote, “they are talking about changing him to next step down room. Don’t know when but will transfer to rehab down the road. Need lots of prayers.”
