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It’s evident that the Altoona, Iowa driver was in the dumps about missing the Nationals. “It was pretty disappointing, because I was really getting pumped for the Nationals,” he says. “I really felt it was meant to be this year for me. After losing my ride, and coming back from the biceps injury, I had a Cinderella story going. I had won 4 out of 9, and I felt that night at Huset’s would make 5 out of 10. We had a great comeback going on, and I felt great in the Eagle cars.” Some help was locked and loaded for the Nationals before the injury came. “Things were coming together,” says TMAC. “I had talked to a few people about sponsorship for the Nationals, but obviously, the injury put that on hold. Things were headed in the right direction. The pressure was off, to be honest, and I was feeling good about things.” The injury came when debris came through the side of his cockpit at Huset’s. “I broke both the tibia and fibia in half,” says TMAC. “It was a really bad break. Then I had what they call ‘Compartment Syndrome’. The swelling happens so quickly that you have to do something quick to save the leg. They made an eight inch incision on both sides of my leg to relieve the swelling.” The surgery to repair the bones was only a small part of what doctors had to do to start the healing process. “I had the surgery on the bones on Friday after the crash, and I laid there for two days just to let it bleed and relieve the swelling,” says TMAC. “They were able to close the left side on Sunday. By Tuesday, they couldn’t get the right side closed, so they had to use skin grafts from my thigh to do it.” Until a recent visit to the doctor, TMAC had not seen the injury. “I hadn’t seen the wound until the doctor looked at it last week,” he says. “He was pleased with the way it looked, but I couldn’t believe it. It looked awful, and I was pretty upset. Unfortunately, my leg modeling days are over!” A racer thinks in crazy ways sometimes. “A couple of people suggested I should just qualify the car at the Nationals to enter the World Challenge,” he says. “I thought it was a good idea until I realized I couldn’t move my foot. Now I am moving it up to an inch both ways. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but from where I was, it’s going good. I can’t put pressure on the leg at all, and I can’t use a boot because of the skin grafting. It may be awhile before I can start physical therapy.” TMAC is as positive as can be for someone enduring a second lengthy rehab and sabbatical from the sport he makes his living at. “It’s another test for me, that’s for sure, but I’m going to be back stronger than ever,” he assures. “The surgeons say I’m going to be off for the rest of this year, but I’m hoping we can put something together late in the year.” The Front Row Challenge and Ultimate Challenge went very well in Oskaloosa despite TMAC supervising from crutches and a golf cart. “We got them in for the fans, and that was the main thing,” he says. “Both were great races. I think the ‘King of the Hill’ Match Race between Joey Saldana and Tyler Walker was one of the most awesome races I’ve seen in my life. There was a lot of rain around…we were just happy to get it in.” Racing continues in the family with sons Austin and Carson. “I’m proud of Austin, and the good job he’s done,” says TMAC. “He is a great kid. Carson’s racing has been lost a little bit with the injuries this year, but we’re hoping to get him out two or three times in a 305 sprint before the season is over.”
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