Live from Topeka National Event

Ed Carpenter · 05-18-2016, 08:18 PM

Just got to Ashton Hudson shop in Justin,TX. Across the street from Texas Motor Speedway. Don't know how far he plans to drive tonight. Should get there tomorrow afternoon. I've never been to Topeka so something new for me. I'm still recovering from back surgery so no racing. I'll see what's up tomorrow and post some pics. Get to see some new cars too. I see the same ones over and over and over again in D4.

Tom Meyer · 05-18-2016, 10:55 PM

Have good time ED I have not been there since 09 it was a show place back then, inside scales, tear down under roof, big rest rooms, paved sportsman pits at the end of the track I hope you can do a lot of walking or find some wheels. Tom

nhramnl · 05-19-2016, 07:53 AM

Hey Ed, what was the back condition that resulted in surgery? I have a really badly blown L2/L3 disc and have been told I'm out of non-surgical options. Do you feel that the surgery was successful? Do you think you'll get back full mobility?

Ed Carpenter · 05-19-2016, 09:13 AM

I hurt my back real bad in April 15' lifting weights(I'm a state trooper so I worked out alot) I hurt my L5/S1. Had fusion surgery from the back. Cage/plate/4 screws. Fusion didn't take I was in chronic pain for 10 months. Orthopedic surgeon did that one. I went to a neurosurgeon and had another surgery March 4th. He went through the front(stomach). He did another fusion but used bone from my pelvis and mixed pmp with it. More screws I have 8 now. I'm doing so much better this time. I'm doing physical therapy and can do a lot at this point 10 weeks. I wore a back brace full time(except for sleeping) for 8 weeks. Weening off it now. Also using a bone stimulator to help fusion grow. Find the right surgeon and they should be able to fix you up. I was very lucky to find Dr. Patel. I hope to get back to work in 2 months. Good luck I truly understand. Ed

Ed Carpenter · 05-19-2016, 09:18 AM

Stayed in Winstar casino parking lot in Oklahoma last.night (no gambling lol). Left this morning about 6:30. About 8 hours left to Topeka. Raining now (where's Jack?) but should be ok at Topeka. Will see what's up when we get there. Later....

Michael Compton · 05-19-2016, 11:23 AM

Not making the trip this year for the first time since 2009. Tell Ashton to be safe and good luck!

Ed Carpenter · 05-19-2016, 04:58 PM

Finally made it to the track. Got teched in its raining hard now. No one is out so probably have to wait til tomorrow for pictures. Clifford is suppose to give a presentation today at 4.

Ven302 · 05-19-2016, 06:17 PM

Good luck!

Ed Carpenter · 05-20-2016, 12:25 AM

Ok finally getting some pictures posted sorry for the delay. Justin and Mark Jenkins came by and we swapped some good stories. Met Randall Klein and he can tell a story or two as well.

1/8 mile

End of track

Ed Carpenter · 05-20-2016, 12:31 AM

More photos. Ive never been to Topeka this place is HUGE! Parking for days.......

Larry DeForrest

David Picht

Phil Unruh

Tim Sniveley

05-18-2016, 08:18 PM	#1
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Live from Topeka National Event Just got to Ashton Hudson shop in Justin,TX. Across the street from Texas Motor Speedway. Don't know how far he plans to drive tonight. Should get there tomorrow afternoon. I've never been to Topeka so something new for me. I'm still recovering from back surgery so no racing. I'll see what's up tomorrow and post some pics. Get to see some new cars too. I see the same ones over and over and over again in D4. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

05-18-2016, 10:55 PM	#2
Tom Meyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pierce NE Posts: 936 Likes: 78 Liked 351 Times in 120 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event Have good time ED I have not been there since 09 it was a show place back then, inside scales, tear down under roof, big rest rooms, paved sportsman pits at the end of the track I hope you can do a lot of walking or find some wheels. Tom __________________ Tom Meyer 5240 SS Stock ???

05-19-2016, 07:53 AM	#3
nhramnl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 507 Likes: 8 Liked 358 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event Hey Ed, what was the back condition that resulted in surgery? I have a really badly blown L2/L3 disc and have been told I'm out of non-surgical options. Do you feel that the surgery was successful? Do you think you'll get back full mobility?

05-19-2016, 09:13 AM	#4
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event I hurt my back real bad in April 15' lifting weights(I'm a state trooper so I worked out alot) I hurt my L5/S1. Had fusion surgery from the back. Cage/plate/4 screws. Fusion didn't take I was in chronic pain for 10 months. Orthopedic surgeon did that one. I went to a neurosurgeon and had another surgery March 4th. He went through the front(stomach). He did another fusion but used bone from my pelvis and mixed pmp with it. More screws I have 8 now. I'm doing so much better this time. I'm doing physical therapy and can do a lot at this point 10 weeks. I wore a back brace full time(except for sleeping) for 8 weeks. Weening off it now. Also using a bone stimulator to help fusion grow. Find the right surgeon and they should be able to fix you up. I was very lucky to find Dr. Patel. I hope to get back to work in 2 months. Good luck I truly understand. Ed __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

05-19-2016, 09:18 AM	#5
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event Stayed in Winstar casino parking lot in Oklahoma last.night (no gambling lol). Left this morning about 6:30. About 8 hours left to Topeka. Raining now (where's Jack?) but should be ok at Topeka. Will see what's up when we get there. Later.... __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development Last edited by Ed Carpenter; 05-19-2016 at 09:20 AM.

05-19-2016, 11:23 AM	#6
Michael Compton Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Neosho, MO Posts: 215 Likes: 0 Liked 59 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event Not making the trip this year for the first time since 2009. Tell Ashton to be safe and good luck!

05-19-2016, 04:58 PM	#7
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event Finally made it to the track. Got teched in its raining hard now. No one is out so probably have to wait til tomorrow for pictures. Clifford is suppose to give a presentation today at 4. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

05-19-2016, 06:17 PM	#8
Ven302 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Stoney Creek Posts: 262 Likes: 41 Liked 34 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event Good luck! __________________ VENICE PERNO SS/CS 3041 NHRA SUPERSTOCK

05-20-2016, 12:25 AM	#9
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event Ok finally getting some pictures posted sorry for the delay. Justin and Mark Jenkins came by and we swapped some good stories. Met Randall Klein and he can tell a story or two as well. 1/8 mile End of track __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

05-20-2016, 12:31 AM	#10
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Live from Topeka National Event More photos. Ive never been to Topeka this place is HUGE! Parking for days....... Larry DeForrest David Picht Phil Unruh Tim Sniveley __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development