GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Just six weeks after suffering a near career-ending back injury at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., Mark Dobmeier is continuing to recover.

“The recovery is going well. So far so good,” said Dobmeier. “The doctors said the surgery went well and as long as everything stays on track, they expect pretty close to a full recovery. It’s definitely not the experience anybody wants to go through, but I was at the right place at the right time. The right people were there with the MedStar Rescue Team. They did a perfect extraction and got me out of the car very safely and got me off to the hospital as quickly as possible.

“Luckily, I was only 30 miles away from St. Paul Regions Hospital, where they are known for back surgery.”

The morning after the crash, Dobmeier underwent surgery to repair his L3 and L4 vertebrae.

“The doctors are saying I’m progressing way better than what they even expected. This Tuesday, I’ll go in for my six-week eval and if everything looks good I should be able to start physical therapy,” he said. “I’m able to go back to work now every day and help out wherever I can. During the first six weeks of my recovery, I’m not supposed to lift anything over five pounds but I’m taking care of a lot of things at work from the customers to invoicing and if they set up a radiator for me, I can go to work on it.

“I can get around without a walker and do my own thing now. My mobility has gotten much better.”

Dobmeier’s plan is to heal up through the fall and winter months before making his return behind the wheel of the Buffalo Wild Wings No. 13 in the spring of 2021.

“Talking to my doctor after he did the surgery, he informed me that I should be able to get back to doing whatever I’ve been doing. Everything looked good after the surgery and as long as the healing process goes good, which it has, we should be good to go,” Dobmeier explained.

“I just want to say a big thank you for the outpouring of support from the fans and the whole racing family and community. It’s been absolutely amazing what everyone has done. It’s completely blown my mind,” Dobmeier continued. “There have been so many people willing to help. Everyone has just stepped up to the plate from friends, family, to the whole racing community. It’s been mindblowing. So many people have searched me out and wrote me get well cards. People that you would ever expect or people that don’t personally know me would just send me something to wish me a quick recovery. It’s absolutely crazy all the support I’ve had. I can’t thank everybody enough through this whole thing.

“I can’t wait to beat it and be stronger than ever in the spring.”

This weekend, Dobmeier Racing apparel will be available during the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks on Friday under the grandstands at Laurie’s Pit Stop Shirt Shop.

Fans can also purchase apparel at the Team 13 t-shirt trailer in the pits after the races.

Before the races at River Cities Speedway on Friday, the World of Outlaws will be holding a silent auction with all proceeds going to Dobmeier.

A list of items available can be found at the following link: https://twitter.com/fund_woo.