5/11/2010
Terry McCarl
Tuesdays with TMAC – Ahead of Schedule!
Tuesdays with TMAC – Ahead of Schedule!
(Bill W) May 11, 2010 – Terry McCarl is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a rather freak injury involving the tear of a biceps tendon on his left arm. As the Altoona, Iowa driver awaits his healing and return to the cockpit of the Big Game Treestands #24, he has had the opportunity to mentor his son Austin in his 410 racing at the first two shows of the year at the Knoxville Raceway.
Surgery to repair the tendon occurred on April 20, exactly three weeks ago. “The surgery with Dr. Hon went as expected,” says TMAC. “I have some doctor friends around, and he was the guy they suggested for this surgery in our area. He’s a good guy and a fun guy…not that that matters when you are cutting me open.”
Physical therapy is going well, and TMAC is currently rated four weeks ahead of schedule in the three-month time frame that he was given for recovery. “I went to physical therapy yesterday, and they rate you on your recovery by weeks,” he explains. “I am passing the seven-week mark, as far as the things I can do with the arm. Most have to have the brace on and not move their arm for six weeks, but I am moving it. In fact, I am almost able to extend the arm completely.”
The last lengthy layoff came when TMAC fractured his left tibia in 2006. He came back ahead of schedule in that injury. “Being ahead of schedule isn’t shocking for a racecar driver,” he says. “My physical therapist wanted to show some of the others my progress, so that’s a good sign. They were talking about being out for three months, but I like to cut what the doctors say in half, like we’ve done before with other injuries.”
TMAC will not throw himself into the fire and take too many risks with his health, however. “I want to go out and test it before we race,” he says of the injury. “I might take Austin’s car out and see how it feels, before we think about getting back in the #24 car. I’m going to my surgeon later this week, and the X-ray will give us a good picture of where we are at. I’ve broken the leg and shattered the hand before, but those are bones. With the tendon, you have other things to worry about. The biggest hurdle is extending it completely, because that’s how it was torn.”
TMAC is doing what he can to keep his body in condition. “Right now, I’m working on gripping exercises, and concentrating on getting stronger,” he says. “I shouldn’t be doing that stuff yet, but again, I’m ahead of schedule. I’ve been working on the other arm and the rest of my body to get in better shape.”
Meanwhile, Austin’s pursuits that include two top ten finishes (9th and 7th) at Knoxville, and preparing youngest son Carson’s 2010 racing plans have helped ease the pain. “This has really been a Godsend, helping Austin, and getting Carson’s 305 put together,” says TMAC. “I’ve been busy with their stuff, and that has kept me from getting depressed. Austin has been going so well. I knew he had the ability; he just needed the opportunity. Tod (Quiring of Big Game Treestands) was nice enough to help us out with an engine and some parts, or we wouldn’t even be racing yet. Austin has always been mature beyond his years, a lot more than I was! I have high expectations for him.”
Front Row Challenge/Ultimate Challenge
The 15th Annual Front Row Challenge and the 9th Annual Ultimate Challenge will be held Monday and Tuesday, August 9 and 10, 2010 at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Advance ticket holders from 2009 can purchase the same seats NOW by calling McTwo Promotions, Inc. at 515 957-0020.
Tickets will be open to the public on March 23. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are welcomed. Visit www.OskyChallenges.com for further details.
Websites for the McCarl Gang!
Driverwebsites.com has developed websites for the McCarl boys. Check out www.TerryMcCarl.com, and check out www.AustinMcCarl.com and www.CarsonMcCarl.com!
In"Terry"gation
Lee Feldhaus asks: At what point in your career did you know for sure that driving a racecar was going to be your profession? You obviously knew from the get-go that driving or promoting was what you wanted to do, but when was that point in your career that you knew that you would be doing this every year and making a living doing so?
TMAC Answers: In 1987, when I drove for Bob Vielhauer, was when I started making an effort to make a living at it. I went to Des Moines Area Community College, and I had a really good job at Norstan Communications. I had a company car, and I had it made. My wife reminded me of that a few times over the years, and how we used to go to dinner and movies. I quit that job in 1987 to drive for Bob and Jim Springer. Sometimes, it was a good idea, and sometimes it was a bad one. It got a little lean after that sometimes. There were times I was really serious about quitting, but she wouldn’t let me do it. That was kind of cool.
Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.
This Week in TMAC History!
TMAC has two wins at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota on this week in history. The first came in the Gray #51 in 1996. Marlon Jones was second, ahead of Chad Mellenberndt, Don Droud Jr. and Butch Hanssen. In 2001, driving his #24, he topped Chad Meyer, Gary DeWall, Justin Henderson and Gregg Bakker.
Website Updates
Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!
"Tuesdays with TMAC"!
"Tuesdays with TMAC" is an up close and personal look at colorful sprint car veteran Terry McCarl. To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors Big Game Treestands, AmeriCashAdvance.com, DeBerg Concrete, Remington Treestands and Rossie Feed and Grain.
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net
