Just a few days after suffering a nasty accident at the Rocky Mountain Nationals last year at Castrol Raceway Dale Creasy Jr., while still lying in a hospital bed in Edmonton with casts on both legs, vowed he would one day return to the track that almost took his ability to walk and make a successful pass in the same lane that got him.

Last night, Creasy made good on that promise.

With the world watching and waiting to see how the Illinois native would handle running on the same track and in the same lane that provided a years worth of rehab and 13 surgeries exactly one year ago, Creasy made a successful pass to the approval of the thousands who were on hand to witness the emotional moment.

Just a few days after suffering a nasty accident at the Rocky Mountain Nationals last year at Castrol Raceway Dale Creasy Jr., while still lying in a hospital bed in Edmonton with casts on both legs, vowed he would one day return to the track that almost took his ability to walk and make a successful pass in the same lane that got him.

Last night, Creasy made good on that promise.

With the world watching and waiting to see how the Illinois native would handle running on the same track and in the same lane that provided a years worth of rehab and 13 surgeries exactly one year ago, Creasy made a successful pass to the approval of the thousands who were on hand to witness the emotional moment.

“It was just one of those things that happens. You just have to go back to where it happened and make the run and that is what we did. Just getting the car down that lane and getting the first run was big for us,” Creasy said.

While the pass went smoothly and Creasy was able to cash in on his promise, what wasn’t originally on the docket was his reaction after making the run. What started out as a bit of a joke a few months back when Creasy was planning to make his return quickly took on a life of its own.

“It all started out as a joke. I did a few interviews with newspapers and radio stations and they all asked what I was going to do when I got out and I said I am going to get out and flip the track off,” Creasy said. “From there it just took off.”

With everyone watching Creasy stopped his car at the far end of the track, climbed out and, surrounded by members of the rescue crew, turned around and gave the track the one finger salute.

“I was getting ready to swing around the corner and a safety guy stopped me. He really wanted me to do it,” Creasy said. “So I got out of the car and said ‘are we going to get in trouble for doing this’ and he said no so I turned around and gave that lane the bird. I basically told the track that I win.”

Creasy’s return has been met with fanfare all week long as media outlets and fans all across Alberta have flocked to the easygoing Illinois native to wish him well in his return to drag racing.

“The reception has been tremendous. I have had people I haven’t even met coming by and giving me hugs and wishing me luck,” Creasy said. “That is what racing is all about. I hope we can continue to put on a great show for the fans as the weekend goes along.” 

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