It's no secret that Zack Freeberg is one of the most improved riders of 2008. After taking home a title at the World Mini Grand Prix in Las Vegas and another at the Ponca City Grand National in Oklahoma, Freeberg had his sights set on a coveted Loretta Lynn's title. However, a crash early in the week robbed Freeberg of his chances and left him Missing in Action for the entire week of Loretta's. Fast forward seven weeks and Zack is now anticipating his return to the track, which we are sure will be a successful one.

You got into a pretty gnarly pile up early in the week at Loretta's. How is your recovery going?
Well, I'm getting a lot better. I go to the doctor next week and hopefully I get released. That's pretty much it.

Take us through exactly what happened?
My first moto I left the gate with a decent start and Kyle Engle kind of pushed a kid wide and he went into me. I went down pretty hard and then Walker Brightwell ran over me. I took a trip to the hospital and had a ruptured spleen, separated shoulder and a pretty bad split on my hand that required stitches. I was in the hospital for five days. I got out the following Monday and flew home. I was on bed rest for a week or so. After that I actually started working and training again. I haven't been able to ride, but I've been in the gym as much as possible. Like I said, I go to the doctor next week, so hopefully I'll get released to ride.

So do you have the gnarly spleen scar?
No, I actually didn't get it removed. The first hospital I went to said that they were going to remove it, then they flew me to an all children's hospital and they said that they would rather let it heal.

That's a big positive!
Yeah, I was really lucky.

You were on a rail at Ponca and won a title in the 250 Stock B class. Did you feel good about your chances going into Loretta's?
Yeah, that gave me a big confidence boost. I felt like I had a shot at winning, for sure.

Can we expect to see you at Mini O's?
Yeah, I'm sure I'll be there.