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| MARCH
6, 2010 Mohave Valley Raceway |
Lined
up 3rd for the heat race and came out of turn 2 in 4th and slipped back
into third when a car slipped off the back stretch. The motor
had an odd sound to it like it had a broken header or something but it was
running decent and all the gauges were fine so I kept going.
Developed a mild vibration about 1/2 way and wound up finishing the race
in the third spot. Check out the rear of the car and found an
issue with the right rear brake caliper. Took a while to get
something rigged up to 'fix' it and as we buttoned up it was time to line
up. They had moved the mods up in the order as rain was on the
way. No chance to check the motor issue.
Lined up in the 7th spot and gave a little room on the opening lap as it
was an aggressive start. Moved by a few cars and knew there was
a problem with the car. It was just odd, can't really explain
the problem. But going into turn 2 the car just kind of bogged
down and I shot off the track. It bogged down again and then
that was that, I was on my way to the pits. I'm not sure if
the RR was locking up or binding up or what, but it was enough to call it
a night. A DNF. I'm about out of parts right now
and am not sure if I even have the motivation to search out the
issue. Maybe a yard sale is in order. Then I can
retire and get my new dodge challenger!
To make matters worse I was called out at the driver's meeting (something
I dislike greatly). When we got home and tried to start
the car, it wouldn't turn over. The carburetor leaked over the
whole way home filling the engine with raw fuel.
Lovely! But as long as I'm having fun,
right?
Thanks Mom, Blake, Kelly, Zach, Julie, and Ralph for their
help. Lots of hard work on their parts for a few laps in the
feature. Something tells me they got the short end of the
stick. |
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| FEBRUARY
26, 2010 Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
Headed
out to LVMS around 4pm to avoid the pole day traffic exiting the
speedway. Just as I got there the Highway Patrol shut off the
lane I needed to get directly into the speedway. Wound up
taking the scenic route to get into the dirt track but made it, a few
groans here and there, but I made it. At least 33 modifieds
graced the pits for the one week notice event, while only 28 World of
Outlaw teams were on hand. The mods packed the track and the
track was sloppy. I chose to skip the first
practice. Got to go out after the WoO cars qualified and the
track was really heavy. The car was stuck like glue and a handful to
drive. Made a couple of changes for the heat as I had nothing
to lose. I started 11th of 12 in my heat with 6 transferring to the
A main. Managed to move up and was running pretty decent
around 8th. The car was decent but still a tad on the tight
side. Was playing it pretty safe and managed to get into the
5th spot. The car, again, started to lose fuel pressure but
picked up in time for me to finish off the last two laps and
transfer. Adjusted the fuel pressure regulator and made a
couple of extra chassis adjustments as we would be running after the WoO
feature event. The track was in great shape for the
feature. I started 14th and was picking off cars one at
a time. Made my way to the bottom and found that the car was
really good there. The track was fast, carrying quite a bit
more speed than I have experienced this year. That coupled
with some really close racing bit me. While racing right
around the 6-7-8 spot I got into a car going towards turn 1.
He got side ways and into the sloppy inside line. That put him
right in line with the tractor tire and he shot up and wacked it a good
one. I spun to avoid it and still hit him myself.
Damn, big screw up for me. But we both kept going and
restarted at the tail of the LONG 22 or 23 car line of
racecars. Back to racing and I was having a blast.
Using the 2nd lane and the inside I was able to drive by quite a bit of
the field to wind up in the 10th spot as the final checker
waved. Great run in a tough field of
cars.
Thanks Mom, Blake, Jerry, Carly & Brett for your help and support out
there. Also thanks to LVMS for putting on the show for
us. It was fun! Maybe we can race there
monthly now? hmmmmm |
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| FEBRUARY
20, 2010 Mohave Valley Raceway |
After
a busy week at school we loaded up and made the trek to Mohave Valley
Raceway, again, with rain in the forecast. Canyon Speedway
Park's winter series race rained out earlier in the day and a couple of
cars from there swelled the car count to 19 by the time we had
arrived. How exciting to have so many cars
there. I had been pulling my hair out trying to figure out the
issue with the replacement motor. It certainly wasn't as
powerful (good) as the one I took out so many adjustments needed to be
made. I had to jet it down almost 20 jet sizes, and had to go
up 33 gear points just to get the car to run. The motor last
ran in early 2008 when it suddenly filled with a cylinder with water
between the heat and the feature. We then drained the water,
raced and won the feature that night. Anyway, I volunteered to
start at the back as I didn't really know what the car would
do. The track was heavy in the cool conditions and
wasn't packed all the way down leaving it pretty narrow out
there. A good start had us slipping into third and right on
the leaders. The car was pretty good with just a touch of bog
coming off the turns. However I was trying to just get the car
to clip the slop on the bottom to get the car spinning the tires
early. It was a very fast track and I was all over 2nd
place. The leader slipped and we were all over
him. I shot to the outside coming off turn 2 only to slip off
the top trying to give the inside room. I stayed in it and
shot back onto the track in third. The leader slowed in turn 2
on the next lap and we narrowly slipped by. I would stay
in second and finish there, right on the leader's rear bumper at the
finish. Jerry Jr came over during intermission to
check out the jetting on the car and said it seemed to be
good. So I left the car alone hoping the track would slick off
some and free the car up. For the redraw I actually drew
a number good enough for the pole. However I really wanted to
work my way through the field so I asked to start at the back of the 12
inverted spots. I knew this would put many cars that would be
tough to pass in front of me, but after last weekend I needed to have some
fun and try to pass some cars. Took to the track in the
11th spot actually and it was wild and crazy at the green.
Lots of switching lines and quite a bit of leaning on one another was
going on. My car was working great but with the extra gear it
was really screaming around there, just slightly hitting the rev limiter
at the end of the straights. I was using the bottom when I
really wanted to be up top, but it was crowded up there. Made
some progress and had a few bumps and rubs before slipping into the 7th
spot, then 5th. Finally got into the fourth spot as the car
was on a rail when I got to the top. I was right on the 3rd
place car when hit motor locked up going into turn 3 and he
spun. I was all over the brakes, elbows in the air to avoid
him and narrowly escaped hitting him as I shot off turn 3.
Whew! Oh no, there was another car spun off the track that I had to
quickly react to avoid. On the restart I was able to
slip into the third spot and was slowly reeling in the 2nd place car when
the yellow waved. I to the outside of row two for the start
and the inside car go the slight jump allowing him to crowd me out going
into 1 where he took the top groove and the 2nd spot. A few
laps into the run he had distanced himself from me but I adjusted my line
a little and reeled him back in to put on the pressure. He
slipped up in turn 2 and spun to the infield. I was now in 2nd
but the leader was a ways out in front.
Yellow. I chose the outside as I felt it was my only
shot at taking the lead with the leader out front by himself.
The same car started inside of me and I knew I would need a better start
to keep him from moving up. Got a great start and was able to
fight my way by the inside car as he pressured me by moving up alongside
me. The leader got away a little but as the laps wound down he
began to move down and my run on the top side was allowing me to close
in. Got right to his bumper and was trying everything to make
my move. With two to go I was right there with him going into
turn 3. I got in a little hot and the car twitched just enough
to send me scooting off the top of the track. I recovered,
amazingly, still in 2nd where I would finish.
EXCITING!
Once in the pits the car had a sizzling sound coming from the right bank
of headers. Water again in the motor. It appears
there is a crack somewhere that must open up when the motor heats
up. Back out of the car it comes.
Ugh! The little motor ran its guts out and almost picked up
another win.
Thanks Mom, Blake, Kelly, Zach, Walter, and Jerry & Eric for their
help and support this weekend. |
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| FEBRUARY
13, 2010 Pahrump Valley Speedway |
| Following
the last race at Pahrump Valley Speedway I was advised to change to the
back up motor because the primary one sounded a little weak and it was
obvious it was losing a cylinder. After over 37 races, I guess
it deserves a break. So Blake and I switched motors and all
was well. Showed up to Pahrump to one, yes one other
modified. Within the next hour another two showed up bringing
the grand total to, (are you ready for this), FOUR modifieds.
One was unfortunate and break before the heat leaving three of us for the
heat race. After hot laps I leaned the motor down as it was
very rich. That was a sign of things to come but I headed out
for the heat. Had a decent race in the heat race as the three
of us stayed close and competed pretty well. My problem was
the car was so sluggish and flat. It just wouldn't get up and
run, seemed really stuck in the track. Wrong gear.
This motor isn't as 'good' as the primary one. In fact it's a motor
that is pushing 3 years old. It's smaller and the combination
requires more gear to get it moving. I don't run a lot of gear
so I always err on the side of less gear. So all things
considered I just loaded up after the heat and headed home. I
was sick to my stomach over the lack of cars and the lack of performance
from the car. Stinks. I know times are tough, but there
is something going on that is keeping cars from showing up.
Very sad that we cannot get together, support the track, and race so
close to home. I am hearing a song becoming louder in the
background......what's that Willy......"on the road again...."
you say? |
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| JANUARY
30, 2010 Pahrump Valley Speedway |
I've
really had a lot on my mind these last few days and it really got my
down. In fact, I was in a real funk on Saturday morning and
contemplated just staying home, not racing. The school
district has been updating us, via email, that budget cuts are imminent
and have hinted that pay cuts are coming. Anywhere from 10% to
25% is being thrown around. With that, the racing won't
exist. So that coupled with a few other issues simply stressed
me out. But I decided I cannot worry about something that
hasn't happened so on with the racing. Went out to pack the
track and then lined up for hot laps, which I RARELY do, to check out the
fuel issue with the car. Good thing I did as it fell on its
face immediately. Off the track to adjust the fuel
pressure regulator and back out for 3 courtesy laps. It again
fluttered at first but then got to going for the rest of the
time. Lined up inside row two for the heat race and
myself and the outside front row car both slipped by the pole sitter for
1st and 2nd. Once in second I just didn't have the car set up
tight enough and I slowly lost ground to the leader. With a
few laps to go the leader's rear end wobbled and the car came to an abrupt
stop in turn 2, handing the lead over to me. From there I led
the last couple of laps to win the heat race! Our first
checkered of 2010. Fueled the car for the feature and
added some weight to tighten it up a little bit. The track was
a little abrasive and was chewing at the tires pretty
good. With my DNF last race I was scheduled to start a
little closer to the front than normal, outside row 3. However
a feature scratch and another car electing to start in the rear put me
outside row 2. Some contact between the front row made the
first green a little hairy and I went down the middle to come out of turn
2 in the 3rd spot. Just out of 4 the 2nd place car pushed high
and got loose heading back across the track. I knew I wouldn't
make it by so I slowed up to let him spin by in front of me at which time
I was hit hard in the back. Managed to keep the car straight
and out of the spinning car to drive by. Whew.
Restart. On the next restart the inside line got the jump and
I was able to get in behind them to pass the outside pole
sitter. As I settled into 3rd the battle for the lead was
close in front of me. Coming off turn 2 the second place car
climbed the left rear of the leader and they were briefly stuck
together. I shot to the outside and slipped by them both and
into the lead. We raced for another lap before the
yellow waved. During the caution there was a huge scuffle in
the pits and people were running to crowd around a car parked in the
pits. A few caution laps later the sheriff's cars sped in and
the action outside was better than that on the track. So much
so I almost missed the flashing of the lights to go back to
green. False start as the yellow waved coming out of 4 for the
green. Finally got back going and the car was good and
actually kept getting better. I was in a great rhythm
and I wasn't getting any pressure from behind. Was catching a
glimpse of the back of the field as the laps wound down and a lapped car
moved over to let me by easily. With about 10 to go I got into
turn 1 and the car got really tight. I wacked the throttle to
bring it around and the car snapped loose quickly. I managed
to save it and keep going although my heart skipped several beats in the
process. Led the remaining laps and picked up our first
feature win of the 2010 season. The 87N team is proud to
say we have wins in the 90's, the 00's, and now the
10's! Dang, I'm old.
Thanks Mom, Blake, Kelly and Jerry Sr for their help and support in the
pits this weekend. |
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| JANUARY
9, 2010 Pahrump Valley Speedway |
A
decent 16 car field of IMCA modifieds were in the pits at Pahrump Valley
Speedway on a beautiful 60 degree afternoon! At the draw
Todd Nunnally (car #86) showed me the chip he drew, #87. We
laughed. A few moments later I pull my chip out and it's
#86. Just some fun stuff for you fellow number
crazies. The track was pretty heavy for the early races
and it was still heavy as I lined up inside row 3 for my heat
race. One car pulled off after the short hot lap session
before the heat so I moved up to 2nd row. At the green we got
going quickly and it was pedal to the metal the entire 10 lap
distance. The car was a little tight and was carrying
the left front a decent amount of the time. But it was a nice ride
after a few months off. Finished 2nd in the
heat. Elected to skip the dash for cash.
While working on the car for the feature I was notified I was one of two
cars up for the $50 best appearing car award. Oddly enough, it
was Todd Nunnally! We went to the front stretch to have the
fans scream out for their favorite. I was worried going
against the home-town driver, but we ended up in a tie!
Thanks fans! Todd and I split the $50.
While driving off the track from the award ceremony I noticed the car
sounded funny on the left side. I looked for an exhaust leak,
a broken header, when Jerry arrived. He found the
culprit. The end had broken off the end of a push rod.
Changed it and all was well, whew, thought we might have lost a
cylinder.
I drew #15 which put me outside pole for the feature. The
track was a TaD bIT BuMPy out there but I was optimistic about our
chances. The pole car didn't make the initial call so the
inside row moved up. We raced side by side into turn 1 and the
inside slid up in front of me to catch the moisture. I checked
up and lost 2nd just as quickly. Once into third it was hard
to make a run as the yellow waved every other turn it seemed like as the
racers were having a hard time keeping it going. Finally able
to go a couple of rounds I was able to take 2nd on the outside of turns 1
& 2 and finish it off going into 3. Yellow.
But I retained 2nd. Got a good outside inside run on the
leader and took the lead only to slide up in turn 3 and lose it again out
of 4. I fought back and was taking the lead again as the
yellow waved again. Back to green I worked my way into the
lead off turn 2 by making an inside cut after setting the car high in turn
1. Once in the lead I began to get heavy pressure from behind
in the form of Levi Kiefer. The yellows weren't helping as I
couldn't get away from him at all. We fought side by
side for some time before he was door to door with me going into turn
1. He inside, myself outside. His car pushed
right at the exit and collided with my car just behind the left front tire
sending me up in the air slightly and flattening his tire. I
managed to hang on and maintain the lead. The lead, yellow,
lead, yellow trend continued. As we raced along the car began
to stumble off the turns. It got worse, and worse and
worse. Finally on a restart with just more than a handful of
laps to go the car gave up the ghost and I puttered around and off the
track, giving up the lead. Bummer
dude! I wound up 9th as attrition took its toll on some
of the field.
But hey, I lead some laps, got some dings, rubs, and bumps and worked my
sick, tired butt out some. :)
Thanks Mom, Blake, and Jerry Sr. for their help in the pits. |
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