April 23, 2010 - I'm not sure how to write this blog right now, but too many of you are asking for an update, so here goes.  Our season did begin last weekend; however, we had a death in our family losing our brother, Tim.  We tried to race in his honor, to lift everyone's spirits and mostly, because Grandma and Grandpa Crowell said we should. 

Thanks to B. for taking Matthew to Hays.  His first time on the track and he placed second in his heat race.  That made us all smile.  Matthew didn't even get to hot lap - I think they said due to a water pump problem.  Steve and I made it in time for the feature and got to see him take 5th place!  I was hoping for a top ten, and he drove it from 12th to 5th.  Couldn't have done it without B and really, can't thank him enough.

Saturday it was on to Minneapolis and this time, Randy and Angie took over to keep us thinking straight.  However, two bad calls by the track officials black flagged Matthew.  Neither were his fault, so he did protest after the race.  The owner of the track did review the tapes, and later he called Matthew back and said Matthew was right about everything he had said.  He didn't offer us even a partial refund or anything other than the apology.  Not sure that was enough for us to return to that track since we can't trust the officials.  A bad call happens in all sports, but this is so clearly not that. 

Unfortunately, this was the first race for Riley, her Mom and friend to come and see.  Sorry about that for them especially.  Usually, we are having a lot more fun - really!  And, it was so great to have Randy and Angie there.  Without them, I think we would have thought we just weren't seeing what we saw.

Sunday, it was on to WaKeeney and again, B. was on duty.  Things went from bad to worse with a very torn up race car and even some damage to our brand new trailer.  I wasn't at the races, so I can't comment much.  All I can say is the boys tried.

This weekend, Tim is going racing with us.  A sticker of his badge is on the car and while we still aren't thinking clearly and are very, very tired, we will move forward knowing that is what he would want and it is what our entire family needs.  I hope everyone will be patient with us.  No matter what happens, we are together and that is what really matters.