...And We're Back!

Greetings everyone! It has been quite some time since the last post, and that's because we had a nice hiatus from racing for a while. I know a nice break from racing is great for all of us as we get to spend time with family, friends, and really just focusing on all the important things in life :). Even after this past Friday's race, we get yet another break until August 15th.

The race night began with another fast qualifying run for our truck, right at the same lap time we continue to qualify. We keep taking shots in the dark at fixing our carburetor problem, but thus far we just haven't quite got it figured out so it continues to plague. Though irritated earlier in the night, I hankered down and focused...just giving thanks to God to be there and getting to do something I enjoy so much. This got me back in the right attitude to just run my race and a feeling that we were going to have a good run.

Despite the carburetor problem killing us on the restarts, the truck was fast. After drawing a #5 on the inversion, we were able to race quickly into 2nd behind the #23 of Mitchell Walls who would pace the field the entire night. The battle was on behind him, as the spot was swapped many times during the night. The race stayed completely clean until an untimely caution near the halfway point which bunched up the field again. It wasn't long after this that the #2 of Robbie Edger and I made contact which sent him spinning. Being a patient driver, I will tell you it was completely unintentional and just a case of getting back to the gas before that guy in front of you and a combo of him running in two different lanes simultaneously. These things happen in racing, and for it I was sent to the rear of the field which I duly accepted.

This was alright as we opted for the high line on the restart. Some slower trucks made this out to be somewhat of a bad choice, as we did fall back near the rear of the field. (As I write this, I realize I should blog much sooner as I forget important details!). An incident with the #2 truck at some point during the race (don't remember if it was the same spin from before) gave us a flat Right Front tire, which we had a bit of trouble getting changed but my grandfather and dad stayed calm and with the help of others in the pits we got back out there for a knock-out, drag out. Another late restart put me back on the outside right behind the #2 truck. I was able to duck into the inside line and follow the leaders #23 and #16 around, but Edger apparently wasn't pleased with me and thus completely rammed and pushed me through Turns 1 & 2. I was ready to back off and let him go as I wasn't ready to tear up both of our trucks, but apparently this wasn't enough for him as he proceeded to turn my truck into the outside wall on the backstretch which ultimately sent him across my hood and front bumper right into the wall. Now not only do I have to replace a right front tire, but a bent wheel and pretty much the entire front body work (again) of our truck. I'm not mad at him particularly, just disappointed with the situation. The track officials should really be more scrutinizing with this type of thing and these type of blatant driver actions so us little guys who are running with no sponsors don't have to rebuild our trucks each week.

Despite all the odds, I raced back around the #16 and we came out in 2nd place where we ran at the beginning of the race. Congrats to Mitchell on another great win! A freak thunderstorm struck directly after our division ran, knocking out power to the track and canceling the rest of the event. All in all I was able to keep a cool head and let that prevail over all that could have made me an angry driver that night. I had a lot of fun and was pleased with the finish! Well that's all for this race wrap-up, but keep posted to the blog as I'll be posting again here soon on some topics dealing with Racing and Faith. The Lord has been digging at me to do so, so I'm going to blog about that next! I promise not to wait to post until after August 15! haha. Thanks for dropping by and we will see you soon!

Fourth of July Weekend

The weekend that was, it ended up being a fine holiday :). The night started with an autograph session, where I was able to really get in there and see and touch the fans which is one of the true reasons we do what we do. Pictures are at the bottom of the blog, so check it out!

We have been having some minor problems with the carburetor on the truck, and overheating, and both seemed to plague us at the racetrack again. It kept us slow in qualifying, but despite that we were able to stay solidly in the top 3 all night long even after spinning from fluid from the #35 who was leading at the time, and falling all the way back to the rear of the pack in 9th. This was a night when the outside restart actually benefited us and I was able to fight my way back into the top 3 rather quickly.

After the #35 spun, he continued having struggles through the night which is disappointing with as fast of a truck as Henegar had. Mitchell Walls in the #23 was definitely the class of the field and had everyone outmatched that Thursday night. I managed to hang in there until lap 40 when a caution flew for another spin. It was at this point when officials pulled me aside for what they thought was a leaking rear seal on the rearend. Unfortunately for us, it was only loose bolts on the actual housing and a very minor leak (our rearend always runs full and it hasn't leaked since it returned to the shop) but they asked us to leave the track at which point we were out of contention for the win. The team feels the track made a bad call, and n this case I would agree but hey, that's racing. I won't let any negative talk creep in and give me any hard feelings.

It's slightly disappointing that we now sit 3rd in points, 15 out, but regardless the outcome of the last points races I believe we'll stay in the Top 3. We have a very capable truck and I have what I believe is the best help out there, in my grandfather, father, many helpers and great people at the track, and of course the unrivaled support of my family and friends. Of course greater than all of those things is God's grace and love. A scripture today reminded me that it is only due to Jesus that we are saved and that we are in fact alive, capable of fleeing a life from sin and having the prosperous and good life God has promised to us in His Word. How thankful I am that people like me are able to go to work, have great health, and get to continue to do such fun things as race stock cars! Until the next race, God Bless all of you and thank you for dropping by!

Another in the books...

It's Monday, and this past Friday put another race in the books for the Huntsville Speedway Super Truck Series. After a long 2 weeks of repairing the truck and replacing the body pieces, we struggled with what we thought was a carburetor problem during practice. It wasn't enough to keep us from yet again qualifying 2nd at a lap of 14.75, exactly what we qualified during the 2 previous races. This was surprising with both the fluttering carburetor and the fact that the track had no new tires, as we were forced to run the same left side tires we have had all season long. The crazy weather has also effected the Hoosier tire company so we can't fault anyone, but only pray that all the families and businesses effected will weather the storms with the good Lord's help.

We started with a good run during the race, quickly falling into 3rd after some good side-by-side racing with the #35 of Parker Henegar in the opening laps. We were on our way and catching Mitchell Walls in the #23 when the first caution of the race flew on lap 25, for a spin by Parker Henegar. His truck apparently developed some major handling issues and he ended up having a rough night but kept the truck out of the wall. This set up one of the interesting, yet dangerous, double file restarts. Some over aggressive drivers started to wreck in front of us, caused the field to stack up, and I was dumped from behind going into Turn 3. The scorers called this my fault and placed me in the rear, so I elected to take the high side on the next double-file restart which is drivers choice. This happened on more than one occasion, but unfortunately slower trucks also elected to take the high line and slowed our progression.

After being dumped, spun out, cut off and put in the wall twice, and blocked the entire length of the track even on the straightaways, we came away with a 5th place finish. Not what we had hoped for, and an overall frustrating night mainly for me as a driver, but I was able to quickly subdue my anger and put my impatience into submission after the race with some quick prayer, encouraging words from family and friends, and reading the word of God. You really can move mountains if you believe in God's power and trust in Him that it can be done. It's that kind of impatience, not just in racing but in all of my life, that has just been an issue for me lately but through my faith in Him it is being taken care of.

Congratulations to Mitchell Walls on his win, and on becoming a proud father! We'll come back Thursday the 3rd of July to the track and get back to the basics yet again, just to have fun and enjoy the competition and time with our family and friends. I thank the Lord for blessing us with the ability to race and to share my thoughts with you. God Bless you and stay tuned for the next installment!

...and Half a Dozen of the Other

...part 2. Sorry it took me until so late in the week to get back to this! It's been a busy week. Almost all of our truck repair parts have come in and my dad and I started reassembly last night. He accidentally ordered the newer Chevy truck body style, so we're having to move some things and make some minor modifications to make it work correctly but no worries. We'll be up in running in no time, all due to the grace of God, and having fun at the track yet again next Friday night.

I decided to do a 2nd installation this week for a specific reason, because Monday June 9th was my 23rd birthday. I received many wonderful greetings, gifts, etc. from all of my family and friends. I am so very blessed by the Lord that he's placed these people in my life who lift me up, care for me, and love me so. To often do we take for granted our family and friends whom the Lord has placed in our lives because He knows we can't do it alone, and sometimes we need help. It's on weeks like this, my birthday week, that I just want to sit back in awe of almighty God for all the blessings he's placed in my life, especially my family and friends. I want to continue to lift them up for its He who makes it all possible. Thank everyone who gave birthday greetings, and thanks be to God for letting me receive them.

Angels show up in the strangest of places. His grace is always there though, even when you aren't looking for it. I bless you all this week and wish you safe and joyous weekends! Check back in with us soon.

Six Of One...

...so this is the first installment of this week's blog. First, to recap this last Friday's race.

The Huntsville Speedway looked almost revived with the pit area full of late models, super trucks, and other supporting divisions. There was also a good turnout in the stands which boded well for the speedway which is now in its 50th year.

Our truck was actually tight from the get go, but we were still able to post the 2nd fastest qualifying time. No inversion was drawn, so we started straight up. Jeff Faulkner helped us make a quick swaybar adjustment which looked to make the car turn better and it looked as if it was going to be the right call. I'm still unsure as to what happened upon taking the green flag in Turn 1, either I wasn't clear or someone got in my bumper, but our #39 truck spun towards the inside into the #23. I do apologize to my fellow drivers if I did that, as the spotters had some trouble with all of those Late Model rigs blocking the view in Turn 1 and last I heard I was clear.

It tore up a lot of body work but we and the #23 truck of Mitchell Walls were able to continue. I was relegated to start at the rear of the field though. Some double file restarts made things interesting, though also a little dangerous which caused more wrecks. The good Lord really was in the passenger seat as even with a broken shock, a broken door panel, no front fenders, a hood bent in my vision, and an exposed radiator (yes the front bumper even fell off) we were able to navigate safely home even still picking up a few more positions and being one of the faster trucks on the speedway. I've already had to tell a few people that no, it was not my talent that got me through that, it was by God's abundant grace on my life that He kept me safe.

I continue to thank the Lord everyday that He lets me continue to race, because I enjoy it so much, and that I can even share my faith through my racing with my family, friends, fellow drivers, and even fans. I pray that I will be able to continue to do so well on into the future. I've even been praying about maybe starting a local racing ministry so I'll ask my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for me in that regard also.

Congratulations to Wes Davis in the #16 for his first win, with Parker Henegar #35 finishing 2nd, #2 Robbie Edger 3rd, myself in 4th, and #23 Mitchell Walls rounding out the Top 5. Thus ends installment one...

Another Great Run

Time for another installment from race weekend! The night started off well, with good practice speed and a 2nd place qualifying time that was mere 100ths of a second off from the pole from the previous race. On the inversion, Mitchell drew a 2 and I drew a 4. Starting outside, we had to fall in behind the #35 truck and settle in 5th place for the first half of the race. Almost all the other teams elected to purchase and put on a new set of tires for this particular race, but we did not. It ended up being advantageous for them as our tires quickly went away.

I was unable to race very hard since with worn tires the truck was sliding all over the place, even clipping the wall a time or two when it got of shape. We were able to stick with the lead pack though and make up a little ground on some restarts after the first caution around lap 25. Parker Henegar elected for an outside restart at this point and was able to slide into 2nd behind the #23, leaving us behind both #2 trucks. We fell back to 6th place at one point when the tires were so hot they had no grip, but again we were able to stay right at the tail end of the leaders and make some passes when other trucks elected for outside restarts.

At one point in the last 20 laps, the #2 of myself and Edger collided in Turn 1. I believe he may have been spinning already at this point but we ran out of space, and I was pinned by the apron and incidentally spun him out. Most trucks were loose in the very hot and humid night so it wasn't really a big deal but just one of those things that happens. We also raced hard with the #16, side by side for a few laps actually, and we beat and banged a little bit but the trucks were in good shape and everyone came home clean and with good runs so that made it all the more fun in the closing 5 or so laps of the race.

Making it back up to 3rd place for the checkers was a fitting end to the night after fighting the car all night long. The awesome God that we serve is so gracious that he lets us drivers go to Huntsville Speedway every week to have some good, clean, fun competition and to come home safely each weak to our family and friends! The good Lord is due the praise for letting us do what we love to do, so on this Sunday remember to thank Him! I'm also very pleased that the majority of other teams have their trucks running stronger as well. The more strong competitors we have, the better, because that is what makes it fun is close competition :).

Well thanks for stopping by for another review. I pray you all a very safe holiday weekend, and don't forget to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day this coming Monday. When you get a chance, thank a military member or military family member for what they do/have done, and thank God for letting them fight to protect us so we can have the freedom to praise Him openly and without persecution. God Bless!

Race 2 - Another Victory

I really don't know what to say here! People seem to think its me, or something we've done to the truck...but it's neither. The team has just had a positive outlook from the very beginning so far this year. Oddly enough, we've had troubles with the truck before each race so far but we aren't letting our frustration get the best of us. If there was one obstacle in 2007, it was frustration.

Last year was a rough year in racing for me and a rough year in life in general. The right things fell into place late in the year after racing was all said and done, and I was able to reestablish my faith and love in the Lord our God and its effects speak wonders. HE is due all the glory and praise for the great things happening in my life. It's like I told someone today, "I'm not racing for my glory... I just do it to have fun." It didn't always use to be that way though. It is amazing how things can change when you seek him. Like my previous post (which made it online late, unfortunately), I am just so thankful the Lord has continued to let me race.

Well I have a college graduation to get some sleep for. Yet another blessing that's been poured into my life and proof of His great works! For your listening pleasure, another great song of praise from one of my new favorite bands Starfield:

From the track

The lord has blessed us with another good night of weather, and good fortune too. We were able to capture the pole position in qualifying and draw the pole in inversion. I am just so thankful that God has let me continue to race though i once thought of quitting. More updates to come!
------ Eric Mc
------ Eric Mc

Pictures from the win

Again, I have to thank the Lord for blessing me with the privelege of continuing to race. Here are some pictures from the win. Sorry they are almost 2 weeks late! Stay tuned as we'll be racing again this Friday night, May 9th and I'll try to be blogging from the track.

The First Race

So, I'm back at home after the first race of the season. Huntsville Speedway is doing just as good as ever, and we had a good turnout of drivers in our truck division. I think more fans would have come out but apparently Hobbs Island Road had an overturned dump truck that blocked the entire road for quite some time. Though the night started out a little rough for us it ended up with good result. We began the evening with good news that we didn't have to change the weight of the truck, since I have lost so much weight since last season.

Second, we had a slow truck during practice and a small oil leak. Everyone dug in though and didn't get frustrated, and my dad, grandfather and I had some great help in the form of our long time friend Jeff Faulkner with Huntsville's TLC Automotive. He helped us get the truck's timing set just about right and adjust a slight break issue we've had since we bought the truck.

All of this proved to be a great combination that resulted in a 2nd place qualifying effort, and a win after drawing the 5th place starting spot! The race saw many cautions but was very competitive and close in the early laps. Myself and Mitchell Walls and William Weaver ran almost nose to tail for I don't even know how many laps before we started dicing it up a bit. The track got oiled down and very messy, but otherwise the race was good and clean and exciting.

I must say that I am just blown away by the ways of God and all of the great things he has given me in my life. And it's not just because of the racing win, the Lord has just laid many blessings on my life in the last half year or so in the form of 1) bringing me back to him and getting me back in a good church, 2) great things and great people by my side. It is the Lord's grace alone that continues to let me race and to effect big changes in my life and the lives of others.

Hopefully sometime by mid-week, we will have some pictures to post either here on the blog or on the website itself. Keep posted and God speed!