April 16, 2011
Last Sunday was the first race of the season.  However, I had to travel for work, so I wasn’t able to be there which was beyond disappointing.  Hopefully, it will be the only race of the season that I will miss. 

Uncle Rich sent me texts through the night and tried to keep me in the loop and Grandpa Brandt called me.  I know how hard it is at the races to take time out for updates, so I did try to be patient. The track was really slick and the weather was really cold.  Thanks to our loyal fan club for supporting the boys.  All the grandparents were there – Carl, Effie, Carol, Gary – and my Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Clarence.  I’m not sure who else, but I am grateful for all of the support.

Uncle Rich also taped the race for me, so now that I have had a chance to see it, I can give a better update.  Jacob started scratch in both his heat race and feature since it was his first IMCA race.  He did a fantastic job.  In his heat, he finished 5th.  He spun out one time by himself causing a caution.  Then, he got too high on the backside going off the track one time, but he came back on so that he wouldn’t cause a second caution.  When he told me about it, I asked if it was scary to fly off the track like that and he joked that he was screaming.  We all joked that if it was a televised race with the in-car audio and cameras, everyone would hear Jacob screaming like a girl.

He avoided another car spinning out, but in doing so, he spun sideways and the car behind him hit him in the driver’s side.  Overall, pretty good first race!  In the feature, he would have started mid-pack based on his finish in the heat, but Steve went ahead and had him run scratch again.  Good thing that he did because they missed the setup and later, they would learn the axle was coming apart.  So, basically, I’m not sure how Jacob even drove the car at all, but he finished the feature.  Very good start for him and if he can improve this much each race, the boys better watch out soon!

Matthew finished 3rd in his heat race which gave him a spot in the A-Main.  Great way to start the season because we really hate those B-Mains!  In the feature, he made his way up to 7th place.  One hit on the driver’s side from a car that moved up into him made a good dent in the car and ruined a tire and rim.  Otherwise, it was a good night for him as well.  Hopefully, Red got some good photos of both cars before the dents. 

We were suppose to race in Hays last night, but the weather caused them to postpone it until next Friday.  Probably worked out for the best since Matthew and Rylee have Prom today.  So, this tees us up for a 3-night race weekend in Hays, Minneapolis and then WaKeeney.  I can’t wait to go home and be with everyone.  Come to a race if you can, and there is always a bed at my Dad’s house!

~CBR Mom