Alexis DeJoria knew the instant her powerful NHRA Funny Car hammered the Sonoma Raceway wall like a free-swinging baseball bat that she had suffered a severe injury.An excruciating pain shot through DeJorias lower back. It was so agonizing that she thought she had broken her back. She managed to unbuckle her harness and pull herself from her damaged Toyota Camry. DeJoria then slid down the side of the car. As soon as her feet touched the track, she experienced a shooting pain unlike anything she had ever felt.I was very upset because I didnt understand what had happened, she said. I looked at my guys when they pulled up in their tow vehicle on the other side of the wall as I was leaning over and I said, What the hell was that?Theyre looking at me stunned because they could see the pain in my eyes; they knew I was hurt. I knew I was hurt. The longer I kinda leaned over the wall, the more I knew there was something really wrong. I couldnt put any weight on my lower back.Initially, DeJoria was told at the hospital in Napa, California, that she would need surgery because her hip was compressed. However, further examination showed that wasnt the case. It was a fractured pelvic bone of the left iliac wing and it would have to heal on its own. She also had suffered some soft tissue damage when her knees hit the steering wheel in the July 31 accident.For four weeks, the 38-year-old DeJoria underwent physical, laser and electromagnetic therapy. It was the first time in her drag racing career she had been injured, and the road to recovery was a difficult one since she was told to rest and let her husband, Jesse James, wait on her.The first week following the accident, DeJoria was on crutches. She began her therapy the second week and continued it for a month before reentering her race car at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend. Despite missing two races, DeJoria managed to qualify that weekend for the NHRAs six-race playoff system -- the Countdown to the Championship -- for the third consecutive year.It says a lot for our team that we can miss two races and still make the top 10 [in points], said DeJoria, who has returned to her daily workout routine.During DeJorias recovery time, crew chief Tommy DeLago worked diligently to improve his drivers cockpit.She is so skinny -- from front to back where the normal mounting points for the lap belts in these cars have been for years werent designed for somebody [as small as her], DeLago said. I think weve made some pretty big strides with the seat, the seat insert and the way the belts are mounted to hold her in the car better.We found ways to make the seat wider inside so we can have more safety foam to be able to decelerate the body more in a side impact. Where the elbows are we were able to pocket the seat out around the chassis and add an inch of foam there on each side. Weve also got a new deal that will keep the legs from moving so much and have more padding for her legs.Normally, an injury such as DeJorias takes six to eight weeks to heal. DeJoria healed in five weeks thanks to the three different therapies used by Dr. David Harris at the Center for Healing and Regenerative Medicine in Austin, Texas. Harris wife, Michelle, oversaw DeJorias physical therapy, which involved the Neurac machine, a device that helps a person regain proper neuromuscular control.Ultimately, DeJoria missed the events at Seattle and Brainerd, Minnesota, but due to the point total she possessed, she maintained 10th in the standings. When she returned at the U.S. Nationals, it was the first time she had sat in a race car since Sonoma in late July. Even though she lost to Kalitta Motorsports teammate Del Worsham in the first elimination round, she still emerged 57 points ahead of Chad Head to claim the 10th and final position in the Countdown to the Championship.The NHRAs title run begins Friday at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.DeJorias best finish in the Countdown came in 2014 when she placed seventh. This year she optimistically notes she has nowhere to go but up in the standings.I mean, were not going to get any lower than 10th, DeJoria said with a laugh. Its going to be exciting; its going to be a fight. Were very grateful that Im able to be a part of it.Deb Williams is a North Carolina-based writer and former editor. She has covered auto racing for United Press International, USA Today and The Charlotte Observer. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys China . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Cheap Jerseys From China . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. http://www.wholesalenflcheapjerseys.com/ . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- No. 20 Texas A&Ms first-year offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone likened his work with quarterback Trevor Knight in their debuts with the Aggies to a first date.There were some things that went well in Texas A&Ms 31-24 overtime win against UCLA. But there are also plenty of ways the pair will improve as they get to know each other better.Dont think he was satisfied or we were satisfied, Mazzone said. We are still a work in progress. For him and me. Thats first time he has to learn how I am as play-caller and I have to learn his play ... try to figure each other out and play to each others strengths.On Saturday, the pair will get another chance to work together when the Aggies, who jumped in the poll this week after being unranked in preseason, host FCS Prairie View in the first meeting between two schools just 50 miles apart. The Panthers opened the season by rallying twice to beat Texas Southern 29-25.Knight threw for 239 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more scores in his first game at A&M after transferring from Oklahoma as a graduate student. Coach Kevin Sumlin was impressed with the 22-year-olds poise throughout the game and particularly in overtime when he ran for the winning touchdown.Knight is looking to clean up some things this week and do more for the Aggies.We know that we can play a whole lot better, he said. So thats our focus this week. Attack the week and make ourselves better.Though Knight is a veteran who had appeared in 24 games for the Sooners before coming to Texas A&M, he admitted that getting his first game with the Aggies out of the way was a relief. He feels much more comfortable having been in a game with his new teammates and believes the jitters he had in the season opener will be gone on Saturday.He believes the way the team performed to win in overtime will help the Aggies as competition gets tougher.I think we are closer because of last Saturday, Knight said. Knowing that if we stick together were going to be OK.Some things to know about the Prairie View-Texas A&M game:CLOSING GAMES OUTThe Aggies led by 15 points in the fourth quarter onn Saturday before allowing UCLA to rally to tie it and send it to overtime.dddddddddddd Its a letdown that concerns Sumlin as Texas A&M prepares for the start of SEC play against Auburn next weekend.We have to close out games. Finish games, Sumlin said. Have to get more out of our backup guys in critical games like that. Got to find more guys to keep guys fresher in certain positions. Got to do some things offensively to help ourselves.GARRETT GETS GOINGDefensive end Myles Garrett, who is projected to be a top-five pick in the NFL draft if he leaves school after this season, picked up where he left off last season. He was in UCLA quarterback Josh Rosens face all day and finished with a sack, 1 1/2 tackles for losses and two quarterback hurries. He led the SEC with 12 1/2 sacks last season.NOILS RETURNWide receiver Speedy Noil will return this week after sitting out the opener as the second game of a two-game suspension he received before A&Ms bowl game last season for an unspecified violation of rules. Sumlin said Noil earned a starting spot in camp and is looking forward to his return.It was best fall camp hes had, Sumlin said. For him its consistency in his actions. Has as much talent as anybody ... worked really, really diligently in the offseason to understand his positon.Noil had 44 catches for 559 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2014 and added 645 yards on 27 kick returns that season. He was slowed by injuries and two separate suspensions last season and finished with just 226 yards receiving.RUNNING GAME SHINESTexas A&M finished with 203 yards rushing on Saturday behind a running game led by freshman Trayveon Williams and Oklahoma transfer Keith Ford. Williams ran 15 times for 94 yards and Ford had 14 carries for 65 yards in his first game after sitting out a season following his transfer. Sumlin said James White, who had just two carries in the opener, will also see plenty of action this season, leaving the team with plenty of options at the position. 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