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!