Jack Roush gets big welcome back at Dover

DOVER, Del. -- The huge banner at Dover said it all: "Welcome back, Jack."

Jack Roush shares a moment with driver Kurt Busch. Credit: Autostock

After weeks of recovery and rehab, Jack Roush was walking around Dover International Speedway, tending to the race teams that have made him one of the most visible -- and successful -- owners in Winston Cup racing.

Roush said he was a "softer, kinder" individual since he was nearly killed in a light aircraft crash April 19 in Alabama.

"I had a really bad situation and I had something that gave me pause and put me down where I had time to reflect on my life. I feel some joy that I have a chance to keep going.

"I really missed it and I am glad to be back."

Roush's return was further buoyed by the solid qualifying runs by three of his four Winston Cup teams.

Matt Kenseth, in his third season with Roush, took his first career pole in his 89th career start, and Kurt Busch was fifth. Mark Martin qualified 13th.

Jack Roush is interviewed on Friday. Credit: Autostock

Roush's return was highly anticipated in the garage, and several drivers greeted Roush as he made his way around on crutches.

Roush's badly broken left leg has nearly healed completely. The 60-year-old visited a doctor in Michigan on Wednesday, and the physician told Roush that he could begin to put pressure on the leg.

Larry Hicks, the man who saved Roush's life by pulling him from an Alabama lake, was unable to make it to Dover to be with Roush on Friday.

"This is the first time he hasn't been there when I needed him," Roush said.

Roush's tone turned from giddy back to serious when he recalled the events of April 19, when he clipped power lines with his twin-engined aircraft and tumbled into a lake.

Roush said that Hicks had prepared a boat to go fishing with his grandson.

	Jack Roush was getting around the garage area with his crutches. Credit: Autostock

"With all the small lakes, he was probably the only guy with a boat that was ready," Roush said. "He jumped in the water, fuel was leaking, and he jumped in, and had the experience to get me started breathing.

"That gave me the chance to be here today. You wonder why it happened that way, and I almost shudder with the responsibility that I feel, and I may not do something the rest of my life to justify the happenstance -- or miracle -- that occurred."

Roush said that he was conscious and remembered the moments after he was pulled to the surface of the water.

"Larry had me up against the wing of the plane and was helping me breathe by making sure my head was above water. I was interacting icing with him. We were talking about getting back to shore and getting away from the fuel, which was aggravating both of us.

According to Roush, his injuries were not as severe as initially reported.

"I didn't have the signs of activity that they expected, and they sent out the bad news that I was more seriously injured than I was, and that created the expectation that I might not live through the night," Roush said.