Four Nights of Racing Fun?
May 25: What a night. It was kind of indescribable. It starts out great with Matthew winning his heat race. We are having a pretty good night and the cell phones start going off. Tornado in LaCrosse and friends and family are checking on Dad, Rich and Effie. We get Matthew out for the A-Main. He had to start mid-pack and he slowly works his way to the front. Lots of cautions again, so every time he made progress, they go back a lap and it is hard to gain ground or really race. Last lap, he is racing for 4th place. Coming out of turn four, they are three wide and right before the checkered flag, Matthew is put into the wall. Now, if it was just a racing deal, we could take it. But, the guy had been banging on Matthew the entire last lap and was driving rough. Then, to top it off, it looked intentional. Later, we got a call from someone that overheard them talking and it sounds like it really was intentional. I have no words. The track did DQ the guy for rough driving though so I was very impressed that they took action.
Steve was worried the car was totaled for good at first. He had never seen a cracked cross-member. But, he went out first thing in the morning measuring and thinks now they can fix it. Matthew had to go to work, so Steve started a list of notes for Matthew. Big thanks to Randy and Angie. They have seen it all and their experience and coaching makes all the difference. And a big thanks to Matthew’s friends. Without Clayton, Tyler and AJ, I am not sure we could have gotten that car loaded.
Meanwhile, back in LaCrosse, a lot of tree damage, windows busted and we lost our town’s car wash. Dad lost shingles on the North side of his house. Lots of clean up, but no one hurt and everyone has a home. Was awake a over 24 hours – what a day. We had just helped push Randy’s modified on the trailer and within seconds, the rain was pouring. I forgot to tie down the four-wheeler so by the time we got home, it had banged in a door and ruined it. Totally my fault. I wonder what Saturday will bring…
May 26: Minus Matthew, we head to Mayetta. Steve is already talking about breakfast after the race! He tells me to text chicken fry to the gang! LOL. Jacob wins his heat race. Again, a great way to start the night! Feature time and Jacob drove her up to a 3rd place finish! It was a good race. Jacob was a bit frustrated as he was not sure what to do to close in on the leaders. He is doing great and happy to be in tech in one piece!
We pull as far as Salina and our gang has a mountain of food. With our great friends, it was a nice way to end the day. We pull into LaCrosse for a rushed couple of days. Graves to decorate and family picnics to make. My friends and cousins from everywhere – including Ron in Afghanistan – are emailing me to check on Dad. The significance of the holiday is never lost on me, especially with one I love still in the middle of one of the worst places to be in the world.
Saturday at Wakeeney is a draw-redraw night. Jacob wins his heat race so two in a row is pretty cool. But he draws just like big brother and ends up starting the feature in the middle of the pack. He works his way to 5th side-by-side with two other cars at the finish. It was so close that the announcer actually says that Jacob got 4th. That was exciting.
We return on Monday for the final show. At this point, it is a bit of a blur. The wind the day before was like 50 mph and just standing in it wears a person out. The weather is perfect though while the track, not so much so. They water right before the hobby stocks. I have no idea why, but they don’t have the tires the other classes have to work it in the same way. If we could have ran after the sportmods, I think you would have seen a lot more racing. As it was, Jacob finished 9th. He took one hard hit early in the race from a guy that I think just can’t drive. Minor stuff to fix before next week. He passed a few cars and I know he was faster than the three cars directly in front of him, but it was a one-lane track.
The boys want to get Matthew back together by Friday, so it will be a very long week and long days. Front and rear of the car both need repaired, so it won’t be easy. Steve and I had to take two days of vacation to recover from our holiday weekend! LOL.
So far, I have only found one video from the weekend. Jacob’s race is at :36 second mark and at 9:43 is the exciting finish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZJtK_iwhNk&feature=relmfu
~CBR Mom
A Good Night and a Bad Night
May 18 – Shocks, springs, gears, stagger, tire pressure – all of these things and probably more than I know go into the setup of the Hobby Stock. The size and condition of the track dictates the setup. Last night, we saw something we had not seen at Salina Speedway. The track turned to dry-slick. Our setup wasn’t great, but Jacob adjusted and drove a great race. A lot of 3 wide racing with the pack never really spreading out that were in front. There were a lot of spins causing yellows, but thankfully no wrecks. Jacob just missed tech taking fifth place. Given his experience on this track, we felt pretty darn good. And the best moment of the night was when Jacob said each time I come here, I get a little better. Yes! He was happy and working hard to improve each time. I couldn’t ask for more. Here is that race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yd58VPH3TE&feature=g-all-u
May 19 – We all get to head to Mayetta tonight. It was beyond dry there. It was actually hard to see the cars the dust was so thick. I guess the high winds and warm weather makes it near impossible on the tracks. Matthew struggled all night to find the setup. There were five heat races and two B-features, so I thought it was great when Matthew made it straight into the A-Main. At one point, I think he was as far up as 7th, but in the end, he finished 11th I think. He was three wide across the finish line.
Jacob’s night went far worse. On the first lap between turns three and four, he drove in too hard and lost control. Thankfully, everyone missed him so he was put to the back and they resumed the race. On the first lap of the restart, a car spun coming out of turn two and Jacob was now in the wrong place at the wrong time. He hit him head on full out. The wreck smashed in the entire front of Jacob’s car. Not a good night. Jacob felt awful. The guy that spun came over and apologized to Jacob. But, it was just one of those racing deals. Lots of work ahead this week and Jacob is going to learn a lot. Steve already has cut the entire front of the car off. So, they will be ready to race by Friday night.
Here is the video of the wreck at the 20 second mark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYqC8hK9y-M&feature=g-all-u
Pretty obvious Jacob couldn’t have seen it as he was shooting out of the turn running his line. You’ll see a car flipped ahead of them and none of us know exactly what happened. The driver was ok so as long as everyone was ok, it is all good.
Memorial weekend, Matthew will race Friday night in Salina, Saturday both boys are in Mayetta and there is a two-day show in Wakeeney. Hope to see a lot of family and friends over the weekend as well as remember our loved ones and get some flowers around. Have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend! Hopefully, we will as well.
~CBR Mom
Great Videos of Last Two Races with Great Finishes!
Did you miss me last week? Thought I would catch you up on the races before a new weekend begins.
May 6, 2012 – We headed to Wakeeney for Jacob to race while Matthew races to work. I saw Jacob drive one of the best races I have ever seen and thanks to Dirt Track Central, you can see it too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Klds8ABfxo4
About six minutes in, you will see Jacob pass the same cars – over and over again. The reason being there are a lot of cautions. They score the field back a lap so this is where the drivers have to keep their head as it can be very frustrating. At least it was for Mom! 8:40 seconds in check out that battle for 2nd and 3rd – quite the pack racing. How can you not get excited watching this?! 10:29 is the white flag and Jacob takes 3rd! I was so proud of him. He had some great coaching from Randy and I swear that during the race, whatever Randy was yelling, Jacob was doing! It was pretty darn cool.
The next weekend, Salina was rained out. The boys headed off together on May 12 for Thunderhill.
Check out Jacob’s race where he takes 2nd place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxtslKQ6MAU&list=PL224CF366B8CA3EF3&index=1&feature=plpp_video
Now, check out Matthew’s race where, 40 seconds in, you can see the guy drive right up in to Matthew. I don’t know if something broke or the guy cut a tire, but it took Matthew out and tore up the car after also getting tore up in the heat race. Matthew is put to the back because even though it was clearly not his fault, he was involved in a caution. Now, this is where it actually gets interesting. Watch him drive from the back to 6th place with that tore up car! Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZvtVBxaIlM&feature=relmfu
Matthew has worked really hard this week to repair his car. Rylee dived in helping as well. I am so proud of both of them!
It is so great to see so many videos of the races getting posted. Sometimes, there are several of the same race with different angles and views. Pretty darn cool and I really thank everyone that contributes a video.
While the boys were at Mayetta, Norton was also racing and there was a big crash in the SportMods there. Check out this one minute video. Every time I watch it, I cringe and get chills. I wish this type of wreck on no one – absolutely so sorry for everyone involved. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chAqTEwnsdw&feature=related
Jacob races Salina Friday night and both boys return to Mayetta on Saturday. While we had to miss the Saturday graduations and parties, there is one Sunday that I plan to make. Hope everyone understands. When you are running for track points, you can’t miss a race.
~CBR Mom
Good For a Bit, Then Not So Much So
May 4 – Back to Salina for Friday night racing, but Hobby Stocks have the night off. So, Jacob is part of the pit crew as Matthew works on his setup. Once again, the SportMod feature is called for time as caution after caution happens. It was incredibly frustrating. Matthew passed the same two cars at least three times. Then, caution so they go a lap back to line up and restart, pass the same cars, caution… hard to gain any ground when you don’t get to race. He ended up 6th. Then, his gang (Rylee, Clayton, Tyler plus one with Liz), load up to get home as Matthew had a final in Physics Saturday morning.
We head to breakfast with Bryan and Amber and at least end the night with a full belly. Saw the biggest chicken fried steak I had ever seen. Once I got some gravy out of Bryan, it tasted pretty darn good too! We all head to the hotel and the next day, we are all off to Mayetta after Jacob and Steve repair the trailer door. Change the gear, work on the car and get ready to race. Boy is it hot! Hard to believe it is May weather.
The track was still pretty slimy and really, really muddy for Jacob’s heat and he finished 4th. Matthew went out and won his heat. Both boys get setup for the feature. We were busy all night as we had no extra help. Uncle Rich had a swap meet and Matthew flew straight from finals to Mayetta. Everything was going really well though until the features. Jacob drove amazing. He worked his way through the pack. At one point, I see a car come down and hit him hard in the right rear quarter panel. Jacob holds on and drives on while the car that hit him spins out. I look at Steve and say, “I hope that didn’t cut a tire down.” He keeps working his way through traffic so we think we are ok. Steve and I were in the pit area for tire changes so you can’t see turn three at all. I literally hold my breathe and wait for them to come out of the turn. Not sure what he did, but he passed three cars as he exited turn four! It was amazing and now he is in second place! Leader is way out ahead and then we get a caution when we actually needed one. He holds a solid second place. Then, with only two laps to go, we see the car die on the front stretch. He pulls in to the pits and that right rear tire is flat, so we change it in 30 seconds (a guy on the wall timed us and told us after). Then, they wouldn’t let him back on the track. Said he caused an intentional caution, so we were done. Very disappointing. Actually, he left off the gas a bit when he felt the flat not sure what was happening and then the car died. It has been overheating all night. After the heat race, the front was so packed with mud it had gotten no air. Last week, we had an exhaust leak and the manifold got red hot. So, Steve is watching it close to make sure he isn’t missing something else. Anyway, it was definitely disappointing but after all the cautions that had already happened, Jacob still ended up 9th. We can fix all the damage. And Mom was right. The quarter panel was pushed in and it definitely cut the tire down.
Matthew’s race starts immediately after, so stifle that disappointment for a bit. He started behind Bryan and in just a couple of laps, they are racing side by side and both working their way to the front. At one point, they are both in the top five and I am feeling just like I did a little bit earlier as I thought Jacob was headed to tech. I see Matthew get hit as a car is literally hitting everybody he passes. So frustrating to race against people like that, but it is part of racing and doesn’t change the way we drive. I would rather watch any race with drivers that race clean than jerks that race like this. Again, it is caution after caution and I am not sure if they finish all the laps or if it is called for time. But, as Bryan works his way to the front, Matthew starts slipping backwards. I can’t figure out what is going on. It looks awful – actually I told Abbey this is painful to watch. I am thinking they just totally missed the setup except the start looked so darn good. He holds on for 9th place just like Jacob and drives into the pits. I walk up to the car and just guess what I see! Left front is totally flat! Seriously! I wrote on Facebook that you can’t make this stuff up! Well, now I would say he drove hell out of it holding on for 9th. He said he didn’t know it was flat, but when it went, he thought it was something wrong with the motor. He said it felt like someone had attached a 100 pound anchor to him and was pulling him down. It was also bottoming out in the turns.
Matthew and Abbey take off for home as Matthew has to open Cabelas and it is already midnight! By the time we load up, it is 1:30 and Steve says he can’t make it to LaCrosse. It would be 5 AM. We decided to divert for home where we can fix Jacob and unload Matthew. He has to work all day, so he can’t race Wakeeney anyway. On the drive, I see Paula’s Facebook picture of the full moon and I look out the window. Well, that explains our night! LOL.
This morning, after my cold shower, I pull Steve from working on Jacob’s car to fixing the hot water heater! Thermo coupler went out – at least we hope that is all it is. Does that make three things (trailer door, tires and now this?) And if we don’t get to count the tires, then we poked a hole in the air mattress so that should count, right?!
Now we are watching the weather hoping we can get Wakeeney in today yet. I have to fly out to Europe for work tomorrow, so no blog for two weeks! Hopefully, the next phase of the moon brings back our good luck. If we rain out, I’ll post some pictures. Otherwise, we are on the road in less than 2 hours so I won’t have time! If you go into Cabela’s today, shake Matthew to make sure he is awake. LOL. And for those that make it to the races, cheer extra hard to make up for me not being there! See you in a couple of weeks.
~CBR Mom
Links to Racing Videos
April 29 - Wow there were a lot of videos taken last weekend of the races - especially at Salina! Here are the links. Found out that Matthew lost the race at Mayetta by 1/10 of a second! They have transponders there, so very accurate. That link is the last one.
Enjoy.
Salina SportMod Heat Race – Matthew wins it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrOZaL0p6LU&feature=relmfu
Salina Hobby Stock Heats – Jacob’s race at 2:40 mark -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYDSkMdraDg&feature=relmfu
Salina SportMod A-Main – Matthew takes 3rd -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rGJAsK_5bc&feature=relmfu
Salina Hobby Stock A-Main – Jacob takes 8th -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8etmxo_GyU4&feature=relmfu
And yet another view of both races with a fan’s commentary; Jacob’s at the beginning with Matthew’s race following at 9:44 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dKvUcKDCwQ
And yet another view of the SportMod race with in-car camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOdZ50v5vsI&list=PLB6C974A6FE1336A5
And finally, if you are only going to watch one, this is the one to watch -
Mayetta A-Features:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjjxnHypeeU&feature=share
Jacob’s 3rd place finish at 4:37 and Matthew’s 2nd place finish at 11:58. Some great racing and a lot of fun.
Both Boys Land in Tech at Mayetta!
April 27 – We all arrive at Salina thankful the weather is east of us and we are able to race. Matthew has a final in physics, so Tyler, Clayton and Rylee arrive with him in time to hot lap. Track is better than last week, although they actually start racing while there is water still standing on the front stretch. Someone that knows what they are doing should write a manual on how to prep a dirt track. Course, even if they did, they wouldn’t read it. Still, it never ceases to amaze me.
Jacob runs first and it was an awesome race to watch. He dodged a couple of wrecks that could have ended our night. They tried a different gear and that clearly didn’t work for him. Also, this was only his second time on that track, so he is also still learning how to drive it. He ended up 8th and he wasn’t happy with his finish. I thought he did a great job and was a lot better than last week. He’ll be in tech there soon. He just needs to keep learning and improving each week.
Matthew drove like I have never seen before. I always felt Matthew would back off when he shouldn’t because he tries so hard to drive everyone clean. His confidence in his driving and his car showed as he didn’t back off Friday night. When he clearly was beside someone and had position, he stood his ground. Others that have pushed on him in the past found it didn’t work that night. He worked his way through the pack all the way to 3rd place. Afterwards, a driver came and yelled at Matthew. My reaction – I hope he yells at him every single race the rest of the year as Matthew beats him! Matthew would never, ever spin anyone out intentionally and if he hasn’t proved that in all of these years of racing, then to hell with all of them. He has always been a great sportsman and even when he was clearly intentionally taken out, he has never yelled at anyone or went to get even. I think he is the most mature, humble racer in all of IMCA. I could not be prouder of how he handles himself and his ability to just ignore the comments and tantrums of others. A video is posted and sounds like most people agree it was just a racing thing. His car doesn’t have a mark on it so I am not sure how you hit someone else without evidence. All in all, it gave a lot of people a lot to talk about and gossip about. We heard some pretty ridiculous stories, not any of which are true. I am actually learning to laugh about it and ignore it as Matthew is teaching me how to do that!
Before I forget to mention it, they had a 50-50 at Salina that night, but they don’t know how to sell tickets the way Norton does. With a much smaller ground, Norton had $500 raised. They got to $150. Jordon and Steve couldn’t resist buying tickets at Norton and there was a trail of tickets after the races in the pits. Let’s just say the girl selling them was dressed for success. I swear, I will laugh every time I see a 50-50 now.
Matthew and his crew head home as Matthew has to open at Cabela’s Saturday morning. Steve, Jacob, Abbey, Bryan, Amber and I go out for breakfast and then to the motel. The next morning, the boys change gears in the parking lot and we head up to Mayetta. Races start out really well with Jacob getting 2nd in his heat and Matthew winning his. First points race of the year, so it is a draw-redraw. Of course, both boys draw high numbers which put them back in the middle of the pack. Both of them manage to dodge wrecks and apparently, I almost pull Abbey’s arm out of her socket. LOL.
Jacob has a great start and is in the top five with a pack in either the first or second lap of the race. Then, coming out of turn four, a car spins. Jacob dives up high and misses it by a mile, but the other car that dodges it dives right up into Jacob hitting him really hard in the rear quarter panel. Jacob hangs on driving through it, but the front two cars really were able to pull ahead during the incident. They never threw a caution because the car that spun out got going again. So, it was a caution free race. Jacob was gaining ground on the 2nd place car, but he ran out of laps. He took 3rd. It was exciting and fun to watch him. He loves that track and he really knows how to drive it.
Matthew also had a great start and worked him way through the pack. Before I knew it, it was him and B racing for 2nd and 3rd place. I was having a lot of fun watching them, but I was pretty sure B had broke because I saw him making the mistakes and thought, what the heck is going on. Still, Matthew was moving on to run for first, so my eyes were on him with one lap to go. They came out of turn four side by side and Matthew lost by inches. It was so fun and we’ll take 2nd place anytime with such a great race as that. I know he had fun. We arrive in tech, and Amber is laughing and saying how awesome that is. I am thinking, yeah, it was awesome to see him and Matthew racing. Then, I finally see it. The top piece of his hood had blown up and was covering the whole front meaning he was driving almost the whole race blind. I knew something was wrong during the race, but never imagined that was it. He took 3rd place like that! Hell of a driver. I am proud of him too. It was a great weekend being together and I love my family so much. Just missed two members as Randy and Angie weren't there.
Matthew and Clayton take off because Matthew has to open again on Sunday. I am hoping when finals is over, he can work more weekdays and get some weekends off because the stress of the kids driving back so late at night is killing me. Plus, I want them with me an entire weekend! Jacob and Abbey help us load up. Abbey dove in this weekend and ran the jack, changed her first tires, and did all kinds of work to help out Jacob. She also reminded me where we needed to stand for Matthew’s race! No superstition here.
Next weekend is a three-night show starting again in Salina on Friday, then Mayetta and Wakeeney on Sunday. I hope our streak can continue. I am truly thankful for the way the season has started so far. There are videos on You Tube and via Dirt Track Central. I will try to post a link on the home page of crowellracing.com. First, I need a nap!
~CBR Mom
If You Don't Try, You Don't Learn
Both boys finished 3rd in the heat race. The SportMod race had so many cautions that the track gave up and did a green, white, checkered finish. I am not sure how many actually laps they even ran, but it wasn't many. Matthew and Bryan got to race each other for a little bit and I enjoyed watching that. I can't wait for a track where they can truly race. Matt finished 4th out of 21 cars. At least we know for sure they fixed the transmission problems now cause if it was going to break, it should have shook apart there!
Jacob had 20 cars in his pack and not as many cautions. The boys dove in and changed a spring with very little time between heats and features. He ended up 10th. He definitely wasn't happy with his finish. Next morning is a gear change and found a shock had broke on Jacob's car. As rough as the track was, Steve is expecting there to be more broke.
Saturday it is on to Norton and the half-mile track. Jacob gets 4th in his heat and Matthew finished 3rd. Heat races still had mud on the track. By feature time, it was a totally different track - especially after the Sprint cars ran.
Matthew was really loose and struggling to gain spots. He had a couple of really awesome starts. Ended up finishing 6th.
Jacob had a heck of a race. Started off and Steve thought it was just time for a new motor. Then, officials told Jacob on the radio he had a flat tire and he had to pull off. He drove into pits and there was not flat. Luckily, another car had stopped so there was a caution. Jacob still had to start in the back though cause he had went to the pits. Well, then he was flat mad. Drove completely different. Came back and got 5th. Brian and him got hooked up on back stretch racing each other hard. Later, Jacob apologized and he was also apologizing thinking it was his fault so that was good, hard racing. Very cool. Jacob and the 4th place car were neck and neck at the finish so that was really cool too.
After the races, Matthew and Jordon flew home as Matthew had to work at Cabelas on Sunday. Thanks to Jordon for driving him. And Friday night, Rylee, Clayton, Tyler and Blake helped out in the pits. I love it when everyone is with us! But, Abbey had to work so she watched over Sandy.
Another gear change Sunday morning, some lunch at Effie's and off to Wakeeney. Jacob finished 2nd in his heat race. There was a lot of cars there and we expected the track to take some rubber, but it never really did. It was smooth and slick as ice. In the heat race, there was a huge wreck and in an instance, I saw our whole, fun weekend ending in major disappointment. A car in the front of the pack spins out coming out of turn four on the first lap with the whole pack behind and Jacob right in the middle. I didn't think he had any place to go as cars dodged everywhere and the dirt flew. When the cloud of dirt settled, I said where is he? He had made it through. One car hit the wall and was done while others had minor damage. Turned out, Jacob did get some of it too with his front, left fender caved in and the bumper almost knocked off. Uncle Rich, Dad and I did repairs and the feature was pretty good. Jacob held on to 4th place with three really fast, experienced drivers right in front of him. He was right there with them. Awesome weekend came to a close. So much fun. Just a great weekend with everyone.
Now, it is 4 AM and I am running to catch a flight. Back on Friday so we can do it all again! Salina Friday night and Mayetta Saturday night. See you there!
~CBR Mom
Did You Miss Us?
Non-stop Fun!
March 30 – We travel to Mayetta for Thunder on the Hill’s 2-day show. Steve, Jacob and I head out first thing Saturday morning. Matthew has to work in the morning, so Clayton and Fox join him on the road arriving just in time for hot laps. The girls have to work on Sunday, so Rylee and Abbey arrive separately. Meeting us there is Grandpa Brandt, Uncle Rich, Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Clarence. Hey – some people go to movies and dinner. We drive and eat dirt. HA!
Saturday was an awesome day with qualifying races for Sunday’s A-features. Jacob ran great and with 11 cars in the field total, he only got to run one race as they would all move to the A-feature. He ended up 3rd in his heat race if I remember right! That seems like a long time ago and I should have taken notes. His exhaust bust in two and a shock broke so it was a good thing he was done for the day. Thanks to the Gemmill’s for letting us use their welder. Jacob and Steve had the repairs complete before leaving the track that night.
Matthew ran two races and he won the qualifying race that night! It was exciting. At one point, he had a solid lead and the yellow came out. I slapped my hand down at my side in frustration and accidently hit Rylee on the leg. Lucky it didn’t bruise her! Bryan made his way to second and was behind Matthew and catching him fast. During one caution, I saw Bryan running up beside Matthew on the parade laps saying “I’m here son…” Later, I teased him as I knew he was trying to shake Matthew. He grinned and said something like hey it is a mental game as much as physical. I KNEW I was right. Thing is, you can’t shake Matthew. LOL. Don’t know if he would have gotten around him because the checkers flew. It was fun, but what was even more fun was this gave Matthew the pole and Bryan the outside pole for the main feature on Sunday. I was so excited to see the two of them race each other.
We went to the casino and the bad luck began. Looking back, it was a sign. We should have went home then! What I lost, Steve won so we were breaking even until Steve tried to get ahead. We won’t be back to the casino until the last race of the season, so that’s all I’ll say about that! We all had some good times together and I love just being with my family. Personally, if we could have all just sit around and played cards, I would have been in heaven.
Sunday morning, I get the girls briefly with an April’s Fools and even fools the boys for a few seconds. LOL. We see the girls off so they can get to work. We get to the track and Jacob runs first. He starts mid-pack and is driving so good working his way to the front. It was so much fun to watch him. He is so smooth. I see other cars coming out of the turns all squirrelly while he is just as smooth as can be. He has made his way to either second or third place – I can’t really tell because I am video taping the race. The sun is bright and it is really hard to see and video and cheer. Then, a lead car spins out right in the middle of three and four. Jacob comes around and sees it in time to shut down as much as possible hitting him hard enough to push his front end in to the radiator but saving it as he got it shut down in time. Good driving on his part. Now, here is where it gets interesting. At ANY other track, he would get his spot back – no question. Not here. He stopped so he goes to the back too! This is so unbelievable to me. We love this track and the people running it. Their tech is the fairest and best in the state. But, if they won’t referee the races, then the worst drivers can take someone out and get to run the races in the end. I am still frustrated with it. Jacob should have gotten his spot back and if he didn’t win it, he would have definitely gotten second. Instead, he was put to the back. Somehow he drove up to finish 4th. I am planning to post the video on You Tube so all can see it. Oh – and even videotaping, I could tell the brake checking that was happening during the final restart and they still dropped the green. Again, seriously?! It looked like pure chaos and there is my son in the middle of it like a sandwich driving his way through it. To say I am mad is an understatement. Jacob was mad too but he did a great job controlling it. I am so very proud of him. He is amazing.
Matthew and Bryan enter the track leading the full field. I am so excited. No matter what, we are going to see a great race because I know my son will be right there racing our National Champion! Really, this is so cool. And, then it wasn’t. It turned unbelievably disappointing immediately. First lap and Matthew’s transmission breaks. We are all mad at the mechanical defeat. Boy, what a lousy day! On the other hand, we all worked well together and I so appreciate all the kids being there. We are rich and lucky at love and family even if we are poor in luck when it comes to racing, money or casinos! So now, the boys will dive in and try to figure out what is still wrong with the transmissions that plagued us last year and followed us into this year. We have the next two weekends off from racing as Jacob and Abbey have Prom one weekend. Well, the 15th is Wakeeney and Jacob says he wants to go even if he gets home late from Prom so we’ll see. We’ll likely make that race and then the 20th is opening night at Salina. The non-stop fun has definitely begun!
~CBR Mom
Jacob Starts His Season
March 24 - First race of the season for Jacob and he managed a top ten as mechanical problems held him back.
Before leaving for the track, Grandma Effie brought us a picnic to the shop including an awesome race car cake for Jacob's birthday. Steve had a melt down saying it was bad luck cause we had major problems in the past whenever there was cake brought to the track. So we all agreed to wait until the next day to cut it.
Jacob took 2nd in his heat and was right there with Cheeseburger. On the redraw, he got 10th so out of field of 21, he would start 10th. Matthew always got bad redraws like this so we teased him about following in big brother's footsteps. During the race, Cheeseburger slid up and hit Jacob in the left rear. After the race, we teased Cheeseburger about being the first to dent our pretty new race car. Jacob pointed out it was at least orange on orange.
In the feature, Jacob looked like a rocket. He passed several cars and was doing great and then, something broke. Not sure yet if it was the carburetor, fuel pump or something else. He held on for 10th. Of course, Steve blames the cake!
Abbey had her first racing adventure. She scraped mud and learned to prep the helmet. It wasn't a bad night, but it wasn't great either. Steve was just happy the car was good and that Jacob drove her so well. Abbey had fun and loves racing.
On the drive home, Steve says "unexplained mechanical failures are due to the cake, so even though Matt has already planned to spend his 21 birthday at Boone, no cake or candles allowed!" That's two years away, so maybe he'll forget by then. I doubt it.
Next weekend, we'll have both boys with us in Mayetta for a two-day race. Matthew is anxious to get his first race in and Jacob is definitely ready. I need to get back in the whole groove! I didn't even have the cooler ready last weekend.
~CBR Mom
