Owens Recovering After Crash, Indicates 2011 Return

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If Ashley Owens can rehabilitate like he can race, the Pro Extreme Motorcycle standout should be back to top form in no time.As it is right now, those close to him and those who are fans of the American Drag Racing League (ADRL) standouts are simply glad he is on the road to recovery after a horrific crash at Huntsville Dragway in Huntsville, AL on Saturday.After something broke on the bike near the finish line during a race against Mantez Thompson, Owens’ bike darted hard into Thompson’s lane. Thompson t-boned Owens’ motorcycle in a dreadful collision, and both riders left the track with multiple bruises.Owens, who won a PXM-record eight ADRL races in 2010, also broke both bones in his left forearm and had a plate and screws inserted during a surgical procedure at Hunstville Hospital on Sunday.“I’m in a pretty good bit of pain right now. The first couple of days are always rough,” Owens said. “Next week it will get better. Everything is just sore right now.“There’s a lot of bruises and stuff like that. I’m just sitting around and taking it easy for a few days.”Owens was racing Thompson in the finals of the Pro Mod Showdown at the Haunted Halloween Blowout.Owens, the winningest PXM driver in ADRL history, ended up setting a track record to earn the win, but the front end of his bike came up in the air right at the finish line.Owens lunged forward to try to bring the bike down, but it was too late to keep the bike from colliding with Thompson.“I tried to look for him, but I couldn’t see him and the bike just went out from under me,” Owens said. “When I tried to get my helmet off, I really thought both arms were broken for a minute.”Only the left arm suffered any broken bones, but luckily both Thompson and Owens avoided further injury in a crash that could have easily caused even more damage to both riders.Owens said it was his first significant crash since 2002 and the lessons he learned from that should help this rehabilitation process.Owens also predicted he would be ready for the start of the 2011 ADRL season.“I’ve had broken bones before, but the last time I was in a bigger hurry to get back. I’m not going to do that this time,” Owens said. “Now, I’ll just see how I feel, but I’ve got a few months off to re-group. I’m not sure what we’ll do with the bike, if we’ll build a new one or what. I’ll have to talk to (team owner) Paul (Gast) about that.“But I’m sure when the first race rolls around I’ll be ready to go. My plans won’t change. I’ll still be there.”In an interview on Sunday, Gast, the owner of the Fast by Gast team Owens races for, indicated he was more than ready to roll with Owens in 2011. “If he wants to continue next year, you better believe I’m behind him all the way,” Gast said. “He’s absolutely the most talented rider I’ve ever seen.“This guy is the best there is in my opinion.” That was backed up all year during Owens’ magnificent season, including a stretch where he won an ADRL-record five straight races.Owens had also planned to race overseas in the Arabian Drag Racing League for the first time in his career, but those plans are obviously put on hold.The bike was demolished in the crash and Owens and Gast will soon find out what - if anything - can be saved on it.Still, Owens said a potential racing visit to Qatar in early 2011 might be possible should he heal in time.“I haven’t ruled out anything yet,” Owens said. “I was really looking forward to going over there and I still might make it over there.”For the moment, Owens said he has been amazed at the outpouring of support he has received since returning home to Decatur, AL on Monday.“I appreciate all the calls from everyone. That’s been great and it means a lot to me,” Owens said. “There’s been a lot of people asking if I need anything and that’s just a good feeling.”(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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