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J.J. Yeley recovering from neck injury; hopes to be back on track in 2010
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Friday, November 06, 2009
FORT WORTH, Texas – More than three months after suffering a neck injury in a Midget race at Lakeside Speedway, J.J. Yeley isn’t cleared to race a car just yet, but he was walking around without a neck brace talking to people about 2010 in the garage Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Aug. 22 accident occurred in the early laps when his Midget flipped several times.
“I had two vertebrae that pulled apart and were perched on each other,” Yeley said. “It was a process I could have let heal naturally and it would have taken six months or I could have done the surgery, which I did, which cuts the recovery time in half and alleviates me having to wear a neck collar.
“It’s gone very well. … It’s been almost two months since I had the surgery. I’m back to about 90 percent of my usual movement in my neck and my shoulders, which is all good.”
The seriousness of the injury was a little bit of a surprise to Yeley, who didn’t feel much pain after the accident.
“Those cars, when you start to take a barrel roll, you just hold on for dear life and you close your eyes and once it got quiet and everything stopped, I opened my eyes,” Yeley said. “I was knocked out for about 10 seconds. I knew exactly where I was at. My neck was a little bit sore, and because I was knocked out, they took some extra precautions. They took me to the hospital and took the X-rays and that’s when they realized I had a neck injury.
“I’m thankful to all the people in Kansas City. They did a great job taking care of me. It’s a long road to recovery, but it’s getting there pretty fast.”
Yeley said he has had some tenderness and tingling in his neck.
“A lot of it has to do with the process of rebuilding itself,” Yeley said. “I look normal, I feel normal, I just can’t drive yet. The fusion process normally takes three to five months. … With the plates and the screws in there, they tell me that it’s stronger now than it is naturally.
“It’s such an important part of your body, you don’t want to risk anything. I’m going to take it easy until they give me the go-ahead. I’m itching to get back in a race car. Physically, I’m completely ready to go.”
Still focused on NASCAR, Yeley said he feels he has a good chance to secure a Nationwide Series ride for 2010.
“You almost have to re-prove yourself,” Yeley said. “You can come back in the Cup series and get in a middle-of-the-road ride, all of a sudden you’re running midpack and you’re not doing yourself any favors.
“I want to be competitive in everything I do and I don’t want to ride in the back. … [You need to be] working your way back up and show people you are capable and worthy of being in top-notch equipment.”
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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4 responses to " J.J. Yeley recovering from neck injury; hopes to be back on track in 2010". Post a Comment.
amalycke said:
Nov 6, 2009 at 2:36 PMSounds scary, surprised it wasn't in a USAC Silver Crown. USAC may need to re-think who they approve, because I even got approved to USAC Midgets and Silver Crown for 2010, last week.
Report as AbuseI had the money for 2 licenses at $900 total, and USAC didn't hesitate to cash my license checks.
Report Abuse
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» Confirm Abuse Reportsarsie1 said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 12:04 AMWow, I didn't realize he was hurt so seriously. I'm glad he's better. hope to see him back to the track soon!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportkasyns said:
Nov 7, 2009 at 9:41 PMI hope to see him back in NASCAR next year. Sounds like he has been through alot. Best of luck to him!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdalejr75 said:
Nov 9, 2009 at 11:30 AMhe is a good driver that has gotten alot of bad breaks he deserves a good ride
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report