MONTREAL -- Drag racer Shirley Muldowney left Montreal Wednesday, six weeks after suffering a near fatal crash in the qualifying run for the Grand Nationals at Sanair Speedway.
Muldowney, 44, was injured June 29 when her Top Fuel dragster blew its left front tire and flipped into the air. Her car, clocked at 247 mph seconds before the incident, disintegrated as it crashed into a trackside ditch.
The three-time National Hot Rod Association world champion suffered a broken pelvis, partially severed right thumb and severely fractured left ankle. Her left knee suffered cartilage and ligament damage and there were three fractures alone in her right leg between the knee and ankle.
Muldowney's right ankle was also broken and she suffered additional bumps and bruises.
Doctors say she will require a minimum of one year, and possibly two before resuming her career -- if she is allowed to at all.
Muldowney, who has already had a series of skin grafts at the Montreal General Hospital, was taken by ambulance to Dorval Airport Wednesday morning. A private Lear jet flew her to Detroit, where she is to undergo further treatment at Wayne State University's Harper Hospital.
Doctors there will have to perform muscle grafts and tissue transplants to rebuild her ankles. Muldowney will also require bone grafts, but the procedure won't take place for a minimum of six months.
Before leaving Montreal, Muldowney said she was thankful to be alive, but was more concerned about maintaining her racing style. She said she remembers little of the accident.
'The only thing I remember is seeing the tube come out of the tire,' she said. 'I think I remember the hit. I pulled the lever for the parachute, but it never got a chance to blossom. Had it blossomed it would have made a major difference.
'I'm not afraid of the future. I would like to drive again, but I have to know in my mind than I'm as good as I was before. If my career is over I can only hope that people will remember me as a competitor and someone who got the job done.'
