DAN FITZGERALD RACING, Las Vegas, NV.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WINNEMUCCA REGIONAL RACEWAY, June 30, 2006
The start of a busy holiday weekend in northern Nevada found us at Winnemucca Regional Raceway for race #7 in the 11 race schedule.   A field of 21 cars was on hand to fight for the feature win.   Lined up inside row two for the heat race and jumped outside at the start.   Got a little rub from the outside and then a hard whack in the rear entering turn 1.   As I exited turn 2 the car felt odd, as if it was tied down to something.   It was.   Another car was stuck to my rear bumper.   I proceeded to tow him down the back stretch and into turn 3.   We were 2nd and third.   Entering turn 3 I heard a ping type sound as the cars were freed from one another and I continued on.    Managed to track down the leader and won the heat race.   Was tabbed to start from the 7th slot for the feature.   The hot temperatures and the record car counts in the other classes had dried out the track so they watered.   We worked it in for a few laps before taking the green.   At the green I had raced into 3rd coming off turn 2.   But to no avail.   Restart.   On the next start I didn't do quite as well and was into the 5th spot early.   Some good racing through the field made passing tough but I managed to work into the 3rd spot by about 1/2 way.   Was right with the leaders but couldn't do anything with them.   I was also getting pressure from the high side.   But I was a little trapped as I had nowhere to go and was seeing the top 2 starting to drift off the bottom.   So I decided to hang on the bottom and wait for my spot hoping others didn't go by on the high side.   On a restart with about 10 to go 2nd got inside the leader and went by.   The former leader slipped in front of me going into turn 3 and coming off 4 he slowed quickly (driveline came out of the car).  As I got into him a car slipped by on the outside.   Bummer.    As the yellow came out I was still in the third spot.   As the laps wound down I didn't have anything for the lead duo and finished the laps to wind up in the 3rd spot for the night.    A solid run in a big field.   Nice job to the field on a tough track, great racing.  

Thanks Mom, Dad, Blake, Dan, and Carly for their help and support. 

 
SUMMIT RACEWAY, June 24, 2006
Departed after everyone got home from work on Friday and arrived at the Oak Tree Inn around 1am.   A 6:00am wake up call came to get us on the road to Keith's house to get the new graphics put on his car.   He also got a new body this week and I did a redesign of his scheme.  (See the weekend photos) Finished the graphics on his car around noon and headed back to the hotel for a quick nap.   Arrived at the track around 4:30.   Packing the track proved a little tough as it was very wet on the front straight and it looked as if the track would be my least favorite, tacky.   I'm always praying for dry as I think it's a little more challenging and takes the power out of the equation.   Started 4th for the heat race and raced into 3rd early.   The track was really tacky in spots and greasy and slippery in others as it still hadn't been packed down very hard yet.   I was able to work my way up to 2nd and that's as good as it would get.    Lined up a very close to the front 6th for the feature in the 17 car field.   At the green I jumped right up to 3rd by the completion of lap 1 and rode there for a while.   There were so many yellows early that it was making the race into somewhat of a joke.   The car was great early as I had left in the tacky set up and kept the weight off the car.   On lap 10 a car went into the infield and was wedged up on a mound of dirt.   After countless laps under yellow, they waved the red.   The red lasted all of 3 minutes as they almost had the car freed when the red was displayed.   After the red, it happened.  Dust began to come off the tires of other cars, the track had went slick.   Dammit!   I was a sitting duck, however I stuck to my line and managed to lead for another 10 or so cautions.   By the time we reached 1/2 way it felt as if we had been out there for days and this wasn't good as my only weight (fuel load) was burning off quickly.   With 10 to go I fell back to 2nd as I was passed rather easily on the outside.   Not giving in, I changed my line and was able to push back in front shortly.   With 5 to go the leader and I put on a great side by side top and bottom show that had us inches apart on all ends of the track.   In the end, while able to pressure the leader so, it was not enough and I had to settle for 2nd on the night.   Not too bad at all.   A very good night for us as we extended our track point lead, got another great finish, and drove the car into the trailer in one piece.   Awesome night!!   Unfortunately a lot of other cars were torn up pretty badly as the racing behind me was pretty rough at times.    Glad I was ahead of it all!     Well until next time!!  

Thank you Mom, Dad, Blake, Skip, Carly and Tracy for their help and support this weekend.    I appreciate it greatly!!
 
BATTLE MOUNTAIN RACEWAY, June 17, 2006
My pit crew increased by 2 on the way back from Winnemucca as Carly & Blake had again made the red-eye trip after work on Friday.   Headed to the park after breakfast to ready the car for the race, as usual.   With temperatures in the 80's we were thinking that the pool was looking mighty inviting.   However it seems the pillows and AC in the room was more inviting as we napped.   It's neat being in smaller towns as I seem to get more exercise.   It's more appropriate to walk when you need to run errands, go to the store, etc.   So we walked to the store and were ready for the track by 4.   Once at the track we were able to catch the last round of the mud-bogs being held in the infield.   A few locals in their work trucks and one really fast high horsepowered truck that simply flew across the pit.    Made for some entertainment before unloading the car for the evening.   Lined up 7th (last) in heat 1.   Had changed a couple of things with the car to make it better as the track in Battle Mountain is tough to pass on.    At the green I slipped by 2 cars and was into 5th.   Two laps later I was in 4th and another lap later I had slipped under 3rd to take that spot.   I was a few lengths behind the lead duo as I got into 3rd but their battling allowed me to join the mix rather quickly.   It was three evenly matched cars at the front and while we could get under or next to one another, no one could pass and we wound up in the same order, one, two, three, myself in third.   They watered for the feature and we were giving 6 or 7 laps to work it in.   At the green I was way too patient from my 9th place starting spot.   In fact at the first yellow I was back to 10th.   Under that yellow we packed some more and the track was much better for the next green.   Tried high on the restart but it clogged up so I went low.  Then the top cleared up and a car roared by up top.   I battled low and barely survived a 3-wide battle for 5th on the 8th lap.   By lap 10 I was up to 4th and was pressuring for 3rd.   The car in third was getting loose on exit but was staying low and forcing me to go high.   I wasn't quite ready to move up and patiently waited as the top 4 or 5 were basically nose to tail.    Close to lap 15 I had given up waiting on the bottom to open up so as we approached a lapped car I went high.   Got into 3rd only to have the lapped car push up and force me up the track.   Slipped back to 5th but the caution waved saving my arse and putting me back to 4th.   At the green I knew I needed to wait a few laps before trying the high side.   Two laps into racing I took my shot going into turn 1.   Side by side and nosed ahead going into turn 3.   However the exit of 4 wasn't good enough and I lost the spot and fell back into 4th.   Figuring I had probably used my only shot I fell back into line.   With 5 laps to go I was still in 4th and wondering if I should try high again.   With 4 to go 3rd place slipped high in turn 3 and I capitalized to take over that spot.   With 2 to go I was on the tail of the duo battling for the lead.   Figuring I would need to try the outside to go anywhere.   Taking the white I was in third and not up enough to try high on 2nd.   Coming off turn 2 I saw that lapped cars were going to become a part of the equation entering turn 3.   The lead duo chose the low side so I had no choice but to go high.   Slowing for the lapped car the leaders made slight contact and I stuck it in up high.   To my shock I was by 2nd and making a huge run on the leader.   Squeezing between the leader, the wall, and the lapped car I raced by and into the lead.   Just crossing under the checkered about 1/2 a car ahead of 2nd place.   WE WON!!   Holy cow.   I must have rubbed the magic 8 ball just right as this car isn't the one with the easy button.   I was stunned, the crew was stunned, as were many of the fans.   WOW was about all we could say when discussing it in the pits afterwards.   Never say die!  

Thanks Mom, Dad, Blake, Skip, Dan, and Carly for their help and support.  

 
WINNEMUCCA REGIONAL RACEWAY, June 16, 2006
Race #6 on the Winnemucca Regional Raceway schedule came under clear skies and mildly warm temperatures.   After securing our motel rooms in Battle Mountain we headed over to the track.   A few 'new' cars from Elko had made the trek and we wound up with 3 heat races.   I lined up 3rd in the 3rd heat after another car chose to start at the rear.   The track was more dry than usual and was a little dusty after the cars would get going.   Very touchy in terms of traction, but challenging and fun as well.   At the green I stuck to the bottom and raced into 2nd.   A lap later I had slipped by and into the lead.   From there it was easy on and off the gas for the remainder of the 10 laps.   Won the heat.   No real changes for the feature as I knew the track wouldn't change that much.  They watered before the other features and by the time we rolled on to the track it was dry and getting dusty again.   Desert racing at its finest.   :)    Lined up 8th for the feature as the 'new' cars filled spots 9-12.   At the green I was able to use the outside to gain a couple of spots and was surprised that we went caution free for the first few laps.   By the time the caution waved I had just made the pass for 3rd.   Back to 4th.   However the leader had a flat right rear tire so he pitted.    At the green I pressured for the 2nd spot and on the next lap I made the pass inside coming off turn 2.   Once behind the leader it was close by I didn't have much for him.   His momentum on the groove just up from mine would carry him ahead of me down the straight aways.  By 1/2 way I was changing my line here and there trying to make something work.   A restart just after 1/2 way gave me a shot.   I got a good jump and showed my nose going into turn 1.   The next lap we were side by side going into turn 1 and I was able to take the top spot.   From there it was all I could do to keep the car straight and keep sight of things on the track.   Visibility was becoming increasingly worse as the race wore on.   Lapped cars began to work their way into the picture too and on a touchy track it was tough to pick a way by.   With just a few laps to go I just barely squeezed by a lapped car on the front stretch and as the white flag waved the haze on the track was becoming more and more like darkness.   I went into turn 3 just on the bumper of a lapped car and hoped no one would fly by up high.   Whew, no one did and we had won the feature for the evening.  

Thanks Mom, Dad, Skip, Dan and Tracy for their help and support in Winnemucca!  

 
SUMMIT RACEWAY, June 10, 2006
Made it to bed at 12:57am on Saturday night and was up at 6:05 to walk the dogs who were rearing to go.   Showered and headed over to Skip's to wash the car and prep it for the Saturday night race.   Finished around 11:30 and then headed to Blake's nephew Dustin's graduation party.   Left there around 2:15 and headed to Breanna & Michael's birthday parties at the park.   By 3:30 we were on our way to the track and already exhausted from the busy day and lack of sleep.   18 cars made their way back to race on Saturday.   Lined up dead last in heat 3.   At the green I moved up quickly and was 2nd by lap 4 or so.   The leader was running great up top and the track was tacky and dry, very tricky.   Was under the leader a couple of times as we raced within inches of one another, dead on the throttle.   Very fun!   Took the white in 2nd and a few lengths behind.   Going into 3 the leader picked up a slight push and I got the car turned and dove under him.   Was had a great drag race to the checkered door to door just inches apart.   One of those were you lean forward in your seat hoping to gain an inch.   Wound up about 2 inches short at the finish.   Great for the fans though!    Was back to my usual 12th place start for the 30 lap feature.   The track was still pretty tricky but there were places that remained good if you could find a way to hit them all together.   It was slicking over in spots as well.   Found a good line on the outside early and raced up to 6th by the first yellow.   By the next yellow I had moved all the way up to 3rd.   As we took the next yellow, it went dark.   The lights at the track had gone out.   All you could see was the ignition light on in the car in front of you.   The corner workers flashed us down and got us stopped safely.   The lights came on pretty quickly and we were back to racing.   Back to racing I again used the outside to take 2nd and set my sights on the leader.   By about lap 12 I had ducked under the leader and took the lead coming off turn 2.   Going into 3 the former leader made a cross over move and we made a little door to door contact.   No harm, no foul as we continued with me in the lead.   Quite a few yellows slowed the action and bunched up the field.   It also kept us from encountering any lapped traffic.   Taking the green at the 1/2 way restart the track took a turn to the icy slick side.   Taking the green the car came right out from under me and I fought for control.   Barely saving it I went into turn 1 under heavy pressure.   Was able to settle down and get back to racing.   WHEW.   Every lap I was being more and more careful about spinning the tires.   The yellows made the race incredibly long and the loss of fuel was changing the set up of the car greatly.   With 5 to go I was still tip-toeing my way around 1/2 waiting for someone to try the top side as there was still some cushion there to deal with.   With 3 to go I could see we were approaching lapped cars, a whole line of them racing for position.   YIKES.    Taking the white I was about 8 cars behind the pack.   Going into turn 3 I was about 1 car behind.   As I sped under the checkered I was right there on lapped traffic but it didn't matter.   The race was over and we had won!!   WOO HOO!  
 
SUMMIT RACEWAY, June 9, 2006
Dad had stayed up at Skip's place with the car this week to work on things and take in a fishing tournament.   Friday was the last day for teachers here and it was also the next race on the schedule.   Was up and at school at 6:00am to complete my 25 signature sign out sheet.   Was down to 3 signatures by the time the mandatory 8:00am breakfast started.   Signed out at 9:42 and began the summer vacation by hitting the road.   Arrived at the track around 4:30 and found a solid 20 car field.   Heavy rains had hit the area during the week and evidence of the rushing water could be found everywhere, even on the track.   The track looked dry but moisture just kept coming up making for an incredibly tacky surface.   Walking on it would almost take your shoes off your feet.   Started 4th in heat 1 of 4.   At the green I was able to work up to 2nd quickly and was right with the leader.   As the race wore on I got further and further and further behind.   Was cake-walked on by over 1/2 a lap by the finish.   OUCH!!   To the pits and back to the drawing board.   Changed gears in the rear end and began trying to loosen the set up.   With several new cars in the 20 car field, my normal 11-12th start was pushed up to 8th.  At the start of the 30 lapper I found that the top was fast, but had a huge cushion that would make the car push like a truck.   It stunk.  I had a hard time getting the car through the turns and it was pushing toward the wall all the time.   Started running lower and that seemed to help some.   By lap 10 I was settled into 3rd and wasn't able to do anything but follow the leaders.   The leader was the 35 who beat me handily in the heat race.   On a restart on about lap 14 we headed into 1.   There was a huge puddle of standing water inside turn 1 which a couple of cars had hit making things interesting.   This was no exception as the leader began to spin in the middle of 1 & 2.   I headed up the hill to avoid the spin and was now into 2nd.  Yellow.   Most of the remaining cars in the field had become a parking lot behind the spin.   Cars everywhere, bumpers locked, etc.   Under yellow there was quite a discussion as to whether it was a spin or if there was contact.   The leader was placed at the rear of the field and 2nd was now the leader.    Just after restarting I got a run on the leader coming off 4 and took over the lead.   As the laps wound down, the 35 car had sliced through the field quickly and was inside of me coming off turn 2 with 2 to go.   Butterflies in my stomach and engine noise in my ear made me have to bear down and try to hold off the furious charge of the faster car.   White flag in the air and I could still feel the pressure, almost taste it.   Into turn 3, coming off 4 and the car picked up a slight push.   It drove out of it and under the flagstand for the win.   WHEW!! 

Thanks Dad, Mom, Blake, Skip, and Larry for their help and support. 

 
BATTLE MOUNTAIN RACEWAY, June 3, 2006
After reaching the 100 milestone on Friday, Saturday seemed just like another day at the track.   All the fan-fare and celebration was done and it was back to regular business.   Lined up 4th for my heat race and they watered before the green.   Seems like I reverted back to a rookie after winning that 100th as I was all over the place.   Spinning coming out of 4 on lap 1.   Yikes!   At the green I was again just all over the place almost sliding off the top of turn 1 in the process.   By 1/2 way in the 10 lapper I was almost a full straight behind and in 4th place.   I quickly caught the lead trio and made a move into 3rd.   Fought inside for 2nd but couldn't pull off the pass.   As we took the white I was in 3rd.   2nd made a move high in turn 1 so I dove low.   All this was happening as we were catching a lapped car.   The leaders rubbed a little and allowed me to slip into 2nd.  The leader cut low and I let the car drift high.   I then stuck it in outside both the leader and the lapped car.   The car slid a little more than normal but I was able to catch it, dove under the lapped car and won the heat race in the last turn of the race.    WOW!    Lined up 7th for the feature and again they watered.   At the green I followed the 10 of Rodney Sweet right to the front.   We powered by the pack and found ourselves running 1 and 2 quite quickly.   Evenly matched, I wasn't able to do much with Rodney for the lead.   However as lapped cars began to play a role, I was able to try other lines and was finding a good way around the track.   Just before 1/2 way in the 30 lapper we caught 2 dueling lapped cars coming off turn 4.   Rodney went low so I bolted high, never liking to follow.   As I went high the group moved a little higher and I had to change my line ever so slightly.   Too much however as I clipped a line of water that hadn't been packed down yet.   The car picked up speed and I flew off the top of turn 1.   All 4 wheels off the ground I landed on the back side of the turn just in time to hit a HUGE tractor tire with the passenger side.   The car spun around abruptly and a huge cloud of dust engulfed the car.   The car came to a rest after slamming head on into a retaining wall on the other side of the tire.   I quickly exited the car expecting the worst.   The red was out and the track was quiet.   People came running from everywhere and found me checking the car over.   It was tore up badly on the right side and the front end.   However I figured that an upper a-arm and a shock would at least get me back out there.   So I told the crew to get that ready.   As the car entered the pit I was just hoping to get out there in time for a few more laps and maybe move up a spot or 2.    A hoard of people converged on the car and the wrenches and parts were flying.   The cars were refiring on the track and getting put back into their line up spots.   As the field got the 1 to go, the car was down off the jack and I was told to get a move on.   They fixed it!!   Holy cow.   I tagged the field just as they got the green.   The bad news, the new parts weren't the only things wrong with the car.   At the green the steering wheel began vibrating heavily and the car had a little bit of a wander to it.   Toed out badly.   Not to mention the RF tire was about to come off the bead on the inside.  (Noticed after the feature).    But I tagged the field feeling out the car and moved up a spot or two before just deciding to go for it.   Stuck the car into turn 1 on the outside of another car and it stuck.   Seemed that the faster I drove it, the better it went.   The only problem now was the fact that without moving the wheel, the car would still wander a few inches each direction.      Driving my butt off and working the wheel something fierce, I had worked my way all the way up to 6th when the yellow waved with 10 to go.   At the next green I moved outside two cars and found myself 4th.   As we raced with less than 5 to go, I passed both 2nd and 3rd coming out of turn 2 and the next lap the yellow waved.   I figured I would either be 2nd or 4th.   However I was oddly placed 3rd on the restart.    The leaders were both working the higher and faster line and my car wasn't going well on the bottom.   It's amazing it was even going.   So I rounded the final laps and took home a 3rd.   My crew was MUCH better than me this day and I appreciate their help.  I say CREW, but I can't even try to thank everyone who was around the car on Saturday.   At one time I counted 15 people.   5 of which I recognized.   Gotta love the racing community.    Thanks to everyone for not giving up on me when I made a huge mistake.   Next time I'll bring my brains.     Congrats to Rodney for the win and to Ward for 2nd.   Great run guys! 
 
WINNEMUCCA REGIONAL RACEWAY, June 2, 2006
Race #5 in the 11 race schedule at the northern track greeted us with good, warm weather.   Lined up 6th in my heat and raced into the lead by 1/2 way, winning by a couple of car lengths.   They watered the track before the features and it lead to some interesting track conditions.   It was dry and slick in turns 1 and 2 and heavy and fast in turns 3 & 4.   I lined up 8th for the feature and was cautious early as the track was still a little on the greasy side.   About 6 laps in I was up to 5th and by lap 10 I was in a 3 way fight for 2nd.   Finally was able to duck into 2nd coming off turn 2 on lap 12 and found the leader almost a full straight away ahead of me.   He was catching lapped traffic and before you know it I was at his bumper as we fought to get around a lapped car.   Just as we were inches off his bumper, he spun in front of us.  The leader ducked to the infield and I did a 90 degree right turn to just miss the car.   Got back going and was actually in the lead as the yellow waved.   The leader was restored and I returned to 2nd.   As the green waved, we were also given the 1/2 way signal in the 30 lapper.   I was right on the tail of the leader entering turn 1 and he pushed up exiting 2 giving me the room to get inside and take the lead.   With 15 laps to go, lapped traffic began to become a slight problem and finding a way by on the tricky surface in turns 1 and 2 led to some hairy moments.   About 7 laps to go and it happened.   While trying to lap another car by going low, he spun and came down right in front of me.   Luckily I was able to woah my car down and get by.  Narrowly.    Another yellow with 3 laps to go came as a result of a blown radiator.   The fluid was laid down right in my line in turns 1 & 2 and made me a little nervous.   After a few run throughs under caution, I was ready to give it a shot.   A slight slip in the fluid sent the car up about 2 feet higher than my regular line, but I was able to hang on and take the win.   Win #100 of my IMCA sanctioned career.   What a mix of emotions.   Excitement, pride, and relief all rolled into 1.   I was presented with a signed flag from drivers in Elko to take around on my victory lap.   In the pits the Sweet family gave me a celebration basket topped with wine and other tasty treats.   Lee Bosch offered to buy me a beer, but we settled on a Mountain Dew.   An awesome accomplishment for this team.   There are at least 100 people behind those 100 wins.   Thanks everyone!!! 
 
SUMMIT RACEWAY, May 27, 2006
A lot has been made of our team's approaching milestone, our 100th IMCA sanctioned win.   We are at 99 IMCA sanctioned feature wins and with our recent streak many thought that tonight would be the night.   A short field of cars greeted us in the pits as well as rain, snow, and some small hail.   After the snow storm, the track was packed and we ran.   It was pretty sloppy in the heat race so I stuck around at the back and finished there.   The main found better yet still semi-slick conditions.   Jumped up to 3rd early in the race and when I got into third the top 2 were almost 1/2 a lap ahead.   Ran down 2nd place and had just caught the leader when the first caution waved.  At the green the leader pushed and I went into the lead.   Was getting pressure from behind and a slight push of my own by about 1/2 way found 2nd place roar by.   I didn't give up and in lapped traffic I was able to regain the lead.   With just a few laps to go a lapped car lost it in front of me and I hit the brakes to avoid him.  Another lapped car whacked me from behind giving me a flat LR and forcing me off the track.   I rejoined the rear of the field and was able to race back up to 3rd in the closing laps.   A good run and a great job by everyone getting me back out there without losing a lap.   100 will have to wait for another time. 

Thanks Mom, Dad, Blake, Skip, Larry, and Carly for their help and support.  

 
BATTLE MOUNTAIN RACEWAY, May 20, 2006
Got a call shortly before the heat race on Friday that Blake and Carly were already on their way.   They were originally scheduled to stay home this weekend, but they were on their way.   By 8:00am on Saturday we were all at the local car wash unloading the car and getting the pounds and pounds of mud off the car.    A short visit to the local park and grocery store and we were back at the hotel for some much needed rest for everyone.   Left for the track at 3:30 so we could do the normal maintenance on the car.     Arriving at the track, we realized we weren't the only one with the idea of working on the car as 4 other cars were already there preparing for the evening's race.   Dry conditions meant yet another overhaul of the set up.   Back to work changing shocks and the like.   Lined up 6th in heat 1.   After several restarts we finally got the green and I raced into 5th as a car pushed high.   I was in the middle and made a move to the outside just as another car made an outside move.   Making it three wide, me against the wall, wasn't a smart move on my part.  But it just happened too fast.   I was stuck as contact was made wheel to wheel, door to door and I went spinning wildly off the end of the track in turn 3.   To the pits I went, heart pounding as I had just flown off the banking backwards.   Reminded me of my Casa Grande adventure last year.    The guys had the tire changed and I was back on the track for what was a single file restart.   At the green I began picking cars off one by one and was finally into 2nd just as the flagman gave us the crossed flags.   Two laps later I was sneaking by the leader low off turn 4 and went on to win my heat.   Watched the cars in the trophy dash and made one final adjustment before hitting the track for the feature.   I lined up inside row 5, 30 laps, about 3 laps per car allotted for passing.   They watered the track and gave us 5 laps to pack it in.   While it was mostly packed in, the track was still a little greasy.   At the green I made a cautious entry into 1 only to find the rest of the field sliding up the track, trying to catch their cars.   Ducked inside coming off 2 and made another pass into 3.  I was 4th as we crossed the line for lap 1.   A 1/2 lap later the yellow waved and I knew the great start would be nullified.   But it wasn't!!   As we went for the green, the top 3 stayed low so I jumped outside and got a great run.   Came out of turn 2 in 2nd place and began pursuit of the leader.    I passed him two laps later and was in the lead as the track was quickly becoming dusty.   Running scared I approached lapped traffic only to find them racing neck and neck.   The yellow waved just as I was going to be passed by 2nd as I was iffy in the traffic.   At the green we ran for quite a while nose to tail before I began to get pressure from the outside.   Holy cow, Rodney Sweet was making it stick on the outside and making things interesting.   We were side by side into 3 and part way out of 4 before I was able to pull ahead.   Again, side by side down the back stretch and the race was on.  The fans were on their feet and who could blame them.    Someone was making it stick where no one else ever can.   Lapped traffic again made things hairy and it was everything we could do to not run over them as well as one another.   However, as always, the race was as clean as you can get when you have cars racing on a slick track going way too fast on the tires we hav e to deal with.   With 5 to go I was still under serious pressure when the barrage of yellows began.   Finally the last restart was waved green with 2 to go.   Again I could feel, hear and almost see the pressure from behind as again I was certainly not the faster car.   However I held on to win!   Awesome.   More impressive was the run from behind me as making that outside work that well says a lot for car and driver.   Great job!!  

Thanks Dad, Blake, Skip, Larry and Carly for their help and support!!  Way to go!
 
 
WINNEMUCCA REGIONAL RACEWAY, May 19, 2006
Another 7:00am departure from Las Vegas for a Friday night show in Winnemucca.   A field of usual racers mixed with several first time '06 visitors from Elko and Battle Mountain.   The track was really dry for the heat races, but I don't mind the dry and slick.   Actually prefer it.   Waited to see what kind of track conditions we would find before taking out the 'Elko' set up from the week before.   Decided I needed to go with the slick set up so Larry, Skip, dad, and myself began changing things over.   Landed in heat 1 of 3 and raced into 3rd at the green.   Slipped into 2nd and set my sights on the leader.   That was about all I could do was watch as the leader steadily kept his distance in front of me.   I managed to pull close a few times but in the end I wound up 2nd in the heat race.   As the next heats hit the track I couldn't help but notice all the lightning around the valley.   Up came the wind and wouldn't you know two distinct thunder claps boomed over the raceway.   A line of officials and racers paraded behind the trailers saying that the modified race would be moved up to the first main out in case it rained.   Just as the official got to my trailer, the rains came.   We quickly pulled the car into the trailer and awaited the decision from the track.    After about 15 minutes they were calling for the modifieds to pack in the track and prepare for their main.   Went out to pack and saw that the dry track had taken a huge liking to the rain.   Mother Nature is great at track prep.    Off the track I went to refuel and make as many changes as I could to loosen up the car.   Again I put myself, dad, Larry and Skip to work on making the 4 changes I wanted for the feature.   We got to 3 before we began getting summoned to staging.   Off to the line up I went.   With the 'new' cars making the invert, I was surprised with an outside row 3 start instead of my normal row 5 or 6 start.   We packed a little more before the race and I was glad to be starting outside as the inside was a little greasy to start with.   The top wasn't perfect, but it was better.   At the green the outside row rocketed by the inside as they slipped on the wet surface.   Into 3rd I went and was right there pressuring for 2nd.   After about 4 laps I was able to take advantage of 2nd place pushing up the track in turn 2 and I raced by.   Once in 2nd the leader was a good 3/4 of a straight ahead.   I was able to cut that down to about 3 or 4 lengths as we approached the back of the field.   3 or 4 cars racing two wide at the back of the pack greeted the leader 1/2 way down the back stretch.   The leader hesitated low and I made a move 3 wide on the outside.   It stuck and I shot by all the cars and into the lead.   Sure enough however back came a charge from the inside the very next lap.   The track was getting faster and faster and the lapped traffic just kept coming at us.   Heavy pressure was coming at me from the inside and I knew I was slower.  But I had to keep the momentum up on the outside and hope the bottom was still too greasy to make a pass stick.   Twice we approached two lapped cars in a heated battle of their own and made it 3 and 4 wide trying to get by.   It was amazing!   Side by side, door to door, lapped cars mixed in, carrying the left front......what else could there be??   As the laps wound down the pressure was still there and so were the lapped cars.    As the white waved, I could hear the 2nd place car as if he was inside my own machine.   Into 3 and out of 4 I was heavy on the gas as we took home the victory.   An incredible night as mother nature provided the firework celebration in the background.   Awesome job Dad, Skip, and Larry!   Thanks for your hard work and dedication.  
 
SUMMIT RACEWAY, May 13, 2006
Just one event on the race schedule this week but it would be a very nice weekend for a couple of reasons.   It, of course was Mother's Day weekend and mom was able to make it to the race this weekend.   My friends Carly and Kelly were making the trip, and long-time friend and fan Jody was celebrating his birthday!    Left around 5:30pm on Friday night and pulled into the parking lot of the Oak Tree Inn just after midnight.   Up and at 'em early on Saturday morning as Blake, myself, Carly and Kelly headed over to Blake's brother's house to apply graphics to Tracy's pro-stock.   Looks sharp!   Mom & Dad headed over to Skip's shop where he proceeded to give the truck a great check up, going through the radiator & cooling system as well as turning the rotors and putting on new brakes.   THANKS SKIP!   By 2:00 we headed to the hotel to get cleaned up and then headed over to Matties for some lunch.   GREAT FOOD!   By the time we arrived at the track sometime after 4:00pm some of us were already beat.   It was a long day already after a late night of traveling.   3 heats on the board and a pretty wet surface to race on.   At the green of my heat I raced into 3rd, then 2nd.   Then fell back to 3rd before ducking under the pushing 2nd place car a lap or two later.   From there I could only watch as the leader put about 10 car lengths on me and held it.   Wasn't able to do too much with the leader from that point and finished a distance 2nd.   In racing terms I had my rear end handed to me.    In the pits afterwards I was left scratching my head when thinking of what to change for the feature.   The track was hard to read.   It seemed to be getting faster and since my car was already tight in the heat race I knew I was in trouble for the fast feature surface.   Watched the first feature and half of the other before heading back to make some changes.   Carly and Kelly wished me luck before heading back to the trailer to ready for the feature and I told them I would either be really fast or really NOT in the feature.    Back at the trailer, Blake, Larry and Skip worked on the suspension changes and I worked on getting the shock package changed.  From there it was up to me to keep my fingers crossed for the next 30 laps.   A couple of feature scratches coupled with the addition of a few new cars landed me 8th starting instead of my anticipated 12th place start.   The 2 or 3 parade laps before the feature allowed us to pack the surface down and it was still very good and now very wide.   At the green everyone was running the bottom and the middle so I went topside.    After lap 1 I was up to 5th, then 3rd and by lap 3 or 4 I had already taken the lead coming off turn 4 as the top was fast and the car was loving it.   By midrace I had already seen a couple of different front bumpers challenging me on the low side.   The car was carrying the LF about a foot in the air and running really hard off the right rear.   A tricky rut in turn 3 made things interesting to boot.   Just after 1/2 way the race went on a long green flag run where I encountered heavy lapped traffic all running side by side for position.   High, low, and then down the middle I went to get through the traffic and stay out in front.   As the hand signal of 5 to go was displayed I had built up a sizable lead and had a few lapped cars between myself and 2nd.   Yellow.   Darn!   At the green I could hear 2nd place right on my rear end and knew I would have to keep it going.   3 laps to go I headed into turn 3 and blew the entry.   Slid up the track and prayed the car would stop sliding.   My prayers were answered as the car stuck and back to the throttle I went.   From there I led the last couple of laps for the feature win.   Happy Mother's Day MOM!   :)   

Thanks Mom, Dad, Blake, Skip, Larry, Kelly, and Carly for their help and support this weekend.   A very memorable weekend for the 87N team.  

 
BATTLE MOUNTAIN RACEWAY, May 6, 2006
After an early breakfast at the local casino in Battle Mountain, we headed to the park to work on the car.   Some cleaning, greasing, nut & bolt tightening, etc we were back in the hotel room by about 1:00.   Got a short nap in, some school work done, and headed to the track around 4:00.   Lined up outside row 2 for heat #3.   The track was in very good shape for the heats as repeated watering had done the trick.   A little tackier than what Battle Mountain normally gives us.   Jumped into third at the green and raced inside the two leaders a lap later as they both went high in turns 3 & 4.   Survived a few restarts and won the heat race.    The feature would be 35 laps and I had a 9th starting spot.   After watching the features before ours, I went to change the set up.   Checking out the tires I found they were almost bald!   Mr. Cheapo needed to bolt on some new tires.   Darn it!  :)   So the crew bolted on two new tires on the rear and I headed to line up.   They watered again so we spent a good 10 minutes getting the track ready.    Still a little greasy in turns 1 & 2, they waved the green.   I again was cautious and a car spun in turn 1 for a complete restart.   The extra laps getting realigned helped and the track was much better for the 2nd green.   Raced a little cautious early as the car was a little tight.   Found the bottom to my liking while the others were fast on the top.   The flatter bottom seemed to loosen my car.   Raced my way up to 5th and stalled out as the top 5 were very evenly matched.   Racing in a line using the same groove running the same speed.   Coming out of turn 2 all heck broke loose as the leader lost a gear and driveline.   Running right off one another's bumpers, we all slapped into one another and our cars chugged away slowly.   The leader was done and I was up to 4th.   A couple of laps later, still under caution, 3rd place pulls off.   I'm now 3rd.    Coming to the 1 to go until green, the leader pulls off.   I'm now 2nd???   HOLY COW!  I thought I was missing something so I double checked my gauges, scrubbed my tires to check for a flat, etc.   I was a little concerned.   Approaching turn 3 awaiting the green coming out of 4, the last car to pull off comes flying 'Dukes of Hazzard' style onto the track in front of the field.   I'm not exaggerating when I say all 4 wheels were off the ground!!   WOAH.   The green waves.   I look inside the leader a couple of times but settle back behind.   As we approach the car that barely made it out in front of us, we get 3 wide.   I back out.  Chicken!  :)   A lap later I get side by side with the leader but he beats me into turn 1 and shuts the door.   Still digging and working harder to find a better line, I felt that off 4 was my best shot.   Finally I was able to sneak inside and race side by side into turn 1.   Into the lead.   A couple of laps later I saw the 1/2 way flags and just began trying to keep a rhythm and run laps.   Cautions bunched us up repeatedly.   We took the white flag and I was so excited as I got the car out of 4 going for the checkered.  However I found a spun car in the middle of the track and the yellow waving.   Missed the car but had to survive another restart.   Took the green and white together and held on for the final lap to win!!   WOW!    Simply amazing! 

Thanks again to Dad, Blake, Skip, and Larry for their help today and all weekend.   Couldn't do it without you guys!  

 
WINNEMUCCA REGIONAL RACEWAY, May 5, 2006
Another Friday night show on the agenda and a 7:00am departure time.   A safe trip and a couple of tanks of fuel later and we were in Winnemucca, NV.   Lined up inside row 3 for the heat race and found very tacky conditions for at the green.   The car was hooked up so well it was bogging coming off the turns.   I tried widening my line to free the car up but it still wasn't keeping it from bogging.   Raced my way up to 2nd and was actually side by side with the leader.   However he stuck it into turn 3 a little deeper than me and used the momentum from the outside groove to take command.   Over the remaining laps I was hounding the leader but to no avail.   Settled for runner up in the heat.   The track was still in great shape before the main but was not quite as heavy, which I needed.   Didn't need the bog that was in the car.   As our main fired, the water truck entered the track!!  ??!?!??!   One lap........two laps........THREE laps.......UH OH!   We went on the track to water roosting from the tires 3 or 4 feet into the air.   OH NO!   About 1/2 way into packing the track I realized that the track was going to be very heavy once the water was run off.   So I pulled off and instructed the crew to make a couple of changes to the car.   Re-entered the track at the tail of the field to continue packing it in.   I was prepared to give up my 9th starting spot and tag the field.   A risk I felt was worth taking for the better set up car.   However after repeated attempts to line us up with me at the tail, officials stopped the field and instructed me to my 9th starting.   Life goes on and we get the one to go.   Turns 1 & 2 were still very slimy so at the green I didn't go choosing instead to watch the field carefully from behind.   A lot of sliding and rubbing got them through the first set of turns.   I stayed back until I got a feel for what the line was going to be.   Once I got running I was up to 6th by the first yellow.   Moved up to 5th and joined the huge battle for the lead.   Was up to 4th when we approached a lapped car.   I was inside and the lapped car was in the middle to low groove.  I chose low and just clipped the left side as we went door to door down the front straight.   Whack.   Flat right rear.   Darn it!   But I stuck with it and continued to race on the flat.   The car was carrying the LF pretty high and getting harder to control.   I did a 1/2 spin just as another racer flew off the back stretch.   YELLOW.    Returned to the track at the rear of the field.   At the green I jumped up a few spots and a few laps in found myself behind the battle for 6th and 7th.   They were side by side and evenly matched.   I couldn't get by.   Took me a good 6 laps to finally get by the pair.   As I raced into 6th I saw the top 5 1/2 a lap ahead of me.   Beared down and hoped there was enough time to catch them.   They approached lapped traffic and it slowed them just enough for me to latch on to the tail of the group.   One by one I picked off spots before finding myself in 2nd place!!   The laps were counting down and time was running out.   Lapped car.    The leader went low and I raced by high.   The leader pushed coming off two and I went outside-in and was in the lead!   Two laps later the white waved!!   Through 1 & 2, and into 3......out of 4 and into victory lane!!   Wow!   Great job by the team on this one.   Getting the chassis changed, the tire fixed, and having the car I needed to race back through the field to the win.  

Thanks Dad, Blake, Skip, and Larry for their great pit work!!!   Team effort on this one was outstanding.