By John Rittenoure
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (July 30, 2024) - A devastating crash two months ago, in Sooner Late Model competition at Crawford County Speedway, sent Steve Hewitt, Sr. to the hospital. A hard hit into the first turn wall threatened to end his racing career. But last Friday Hewitt climbed back behind the wheel at Thunderbird Speedway, just two months to the day of the accident.
“It has been really been tough,” Hewitt said of his recovery from the accident. “I have had concussions before but nothing quite like this with nausea, blurred vision, headaches and memory loss.
“We set into (turn) one wide open and something happened and we darted into the wall. It happened fast. I was told I was knocked out and ended up at the hospital.”
Determined to keep doing what he loves, while recovering Hewitt put together another car with the help from fellow racers and family and was back behind the wheel Friday at Thunderbird.
“This car came from Ron Brown,” Hewitt said speaking of the driver of the 27X car. “It is an older car. Ron told me to come get it. Him and is wife have just been awesome trying to get me back out here and my son Chris, brother Robert and my wife who does not really want me here right now.
“The (old) car was completely totaled. The only thing we saved off of it was some body panels, engine and transmission. Everything else had to be replaced.”
With the crash behind him Hewitt is ready to continue doing what he loves.
“It has been two months and we finally got a car back together and we will see what it will do,” Hewitt said. “If we can race we will, if not, we will stay out of everyone’s way.
“Hopefully we can keep it in one piece and get back on the road to racing again. We are going to continue chasing our dream and have fun.”
Hewitt suffered engine problems and was credited with a 16th place finish in Friday’s main event. But if the past is any indication, Hewitt will be back doing what he loves.
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