NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster competitor Shawn Cowie, who was critically injured last weekend in a devastating motorcycle accident in Nashville, Tennessee while en route to the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, has continued to show signs of significant improvement while undergoing procedures for his injuries at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Cowie reportedly suffered a broken neck and back, along with significant injuries to his right leg and ankle in the accident.
Shawn underwent a lengthy 12-hour surgical procedure on Monday, with a team of trauma and plastic surgeons focusing their efforts on Shawn’s knee and ankle. Following muscle grafts and other repairs, the surgical team is confident that Shawn’s right leg can be saved. According to tuner Bill Moore, the surgical team was well aware of his involvement in racing and his need for complete use of his legs, and put forth every effort and consideration in their procedures to eliminate the possibility of amputation.
Those watching the ESPN broadcast from Charlotte over the weekend likely saw decals in support of Cowie displayed on several of the race cars.
Since the incident, Shawn has been awake and off the ventilator, talking to friends and family and, in true drag racer fashion, is already discussing his anxiousness to get back into the race car. Moore, via InsideTopAlcohol, posted the following message from Cowie’s cousin, Nik Duperon from his bedside:
Day 6, Quote from Shawn this morning, ‘Thank you everbody for all of your support’ first I have to apologize for messing up dates the last couple days, last night and the night before I spent with Shawn talking about racing and how anxious he is to get back into the driver seat of his race car. The latest news I can give you is, they have moved him in to his own room, taken him off of his feeding tube, allowed him to eat solid foods, [last night he enjoyed a bite of a Butterfinger] and has been drinking Sprite like no other! Preparing for his 12hr ‘marathon surgery’ on Monday he is getting as much rest as possible and trying to stay positive, I can tell you first hand how much your prayers, notes, positive thoughts and positive impact storys all of you have been sending and sharing VIA facebook, txt msg, speedzone magazine and Inside Top Alcohol have been helping all of us through this NIGHTMARE I wish we could all wake up from ‘Tear’, periodically through the night I have been reading these msgs to him and it makes all the difference in the world! Alongside his will to Race, the positive energy surrounding him is DEFINITELY helping him through this difficult time! [I will get to all of my personal msgs, at this point just updating on behalf of Shawn & Cowie/Duperon family.
Shawn’s progress in just over a weeks time is nothing short of amazing, and we here at DRAGZINE join the racing community in wishing him a speedy recovery and return to his second home in the driver’s seat.
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