Ulcerative Colitis

"But it's something that was a huge character-builder, when you can walk around the racetrack and still perform wearing diapers and have self-dignity." Only one month away from having his colon removed, which would have ended his racing career, Speed found a Viennese doctor with a new treatment for the disease.

Speed has now been symptom-free for more than a year.

Going through those hardships certainly prepared Speed for the difficulties he may face this year, as the only American in the series on a new team which probably will struggle this season.

"Certainly after Bahrain I'm going to have a much clearer picture of what we expect and what we can hope for," Speed said.

"But until then we're really crossing our fingers that it's going to turn out well." Click here and receive 4 weekends of the Journal Star home delivered absolutely FREE!

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