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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 Air Max Plus . The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been posted by his club team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Nike Air Max Plus Ireland . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.wholesaleairmaxplusireland.com/ .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Nike Air Max Plus Clearance Ireland . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Wholesale Air Max Plus Ireland . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. A look at Arnold Palmers farewell rounds at the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open:---MASTERS:Something didnt feel right. Six holes on a Saturday morning in front of a barely arriving crowd was no way for Arnold Palmer to close out his illustrious career at Augusta National.Palmer wanted to go out his way, and two years after his originally scheduled farewell to the Masters, he did.The Kings closing-round 84 came on a sun-splashed Friday afternoon in 2004 and wrapped up an even 50 years of competition at the major he propelled straight into American culture.He won the first of his four green jackets in 1958 -- a week during which a phenomenon known as Arnies Army began.That win gave him a lifetime ticket to Augusta. The Masters had long embraced a tradition of letting past champions enter the tournament for as long as they liked.But as that list of champions grew longer, and older, and, frankly, less illustrious, the club tried to set some boundaries.Palmer was among the first to be given the hint, and in 2002, he was set to play his last round -- at age 72.Rain delayed play early that week, and what couldve been Palmers last day in a competitive round on the grounds finished under gray, misty skies near the crack of dawn -- with his first shot struck from the 13th fairway.Didnt feel right, and after meeting with then-chairman Hootie Johnson, Palmer was given the chance to make it an even 50 years. He closed out his playing days in 2004, though he would go on to hit the ceremonial first tee shot for years after that.If you just use your imagination, youll understand the emotion, Palmer said after his closing round.Among those on hand to watch him were Col. Joe Curtis, who came to Augusta for 49 years, the last few in an electric wheelchair, specifically to watch one man.He has a way of making everybody think hes looking at them, Curtis said that day. Thats called charisma.---BRITISH OPEN:On his final trip over the ancient stone bridge that crosses the famous Swilcan Burn at St. Andrews, Palmer stopped and posed for pictures.He knew the significance of the moment and wanted to savor it.Many of his colleagues did, too.Nick Faldo, Brad Faxon, Steve Elkington and David Duval sat on the stone steps of the clubhouse and watched Palmer finish. Duval had a camera and took pictures. They had prime seats as Palmer walked up the 18th fairway for the last time at the British Open in 1995, 35 years after he first played golfs oldest major.Palmer took his time finishing, giving the thousands on hand a glimpse of a 65-year-old legend playing his last shot on the last hole of his 23rd and final Brittish Open.ddddddddddddIan Baker-Finch and Peter Baker, who were in Palmers group, finished first so Palmer could be the last to putt out. He hunched over in his usual stance and gently tapped the ball into the hole.Palmer smiled, shook hands with Mark McCormack of International Management Group, Michael Bonallack of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, waved to the crowd once more and walked away for good.Its over, Palmer said.He signed for a 75, which was considerably better than his first-round 83, but not good enough to make the cut.As I was coming up 18, I kept thinking about 1960 and what it led to, Palmer said later, his voice cracking with emotion. A lot of great years and a lot of happy times.Before Palmer traveled to the Old Course in 1960, the British Open had fallen off the radar of American golf. The year before, at Muirfield, no American pros were in the field. It was too far away and not nearly as profitable as stateside events.Nonetheless, having won the Masters and the U.S. Open, Palmer deemed it important to go to St. Andrews and win the British Open. He created talk of a professional Grand Slam for the first time and came oh-so-close to a third straight major. He lost by one to Kel Nagle and decided to come back for the challenge.He won the Claret Jug in 1961 at Royal Birkdale and in 1962 at Royal Troon, bringing the Open back to international prominence and making his farewell a moment to savor.---U.S. OPEN:He got there with 30 seconds to spare.Arnold Palmers last U.S. Open came at what was essentially his home course -- Oakmont Country Club, only about 40 miles from his home in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.He had so much trouble working his way through the throng of well-wishers, Palmer barely made it to the first tee on time. He had only his putter with him -- his caddie was also having trouble getting to the tee box.Thankfully, Palmers playing partners that day -- Rocco Mediate and John Mahaffey -- milked their pre-shot routines to the max, and all was fine for Palmer, who hit his first shot at 2:03 p.m. for what was, officially, a 2 p.m. tee time.It was all that passed for drama over the two days.Palmer shot 77-81 over his final two rounds at Oakmont, often thought as one of the most difficult U.S. Open tracks (which is saying something).When it was over, the 64-year-old was awash in tears.As he sat down for the post-round interviews, he said: I cant get it started, then buried his head in a towel and tried to regain his composure. ' ' '