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...