May 28 - Back to Minneapolis where the night didn't start very good.  Lost 3 tires, a-arm, and spindle all in the heat race!  Thinking it was going to be a really bad night. Really bad track for heat but it really came in at feature time.

Jacob started in 14th position and the pack of cars seemed to hang together forever.  Jacob was driving great and I actually felt my heart racing as I counted the cars and he had made it up to 9th!  Then I saw a yellow and at the same time saw jacob had a flat!  He pulled in to the pits and I took the bolts off while Steve and Josh then finished the job.  I didn't even ruin a nail!

Turned out Jacob ran over a bumper which came off someone's car and had caused the caution.  There was a bunch of cut tires.  Jacob went back out and then worked his way up to 7th!  It was an really exciting race.  Jacob held his own through some pretty good bumps.  I actually felt my heart racing as he was going 3-wide in the turns.  I wondered at one point if anyone nearby knew CPR - that was how fast my heart was racing.  Best finish so far this season!  What a great way to end the night.

On to Wakeeney.  First race picked right up where we left off with a good heat race and Jacob finished 4th in the heat.  It was a draw, redraw night and he drew the outside pole.  First lap, the guy behind him drove into turn two and punted Jacob off the track.  They tried to put Jacob in the back, but he stopped and told the official no way and got his spot back.  Well, after 3 restarts, they finally started them single file.  By then, I think Jacob was already bent up.  He held his own though and was right there in the pack for a little while.

Then he got too high and spun off turn four.  This caused a caution and he was put to the back.  He started really driving a lot better then and drove hard into the corners.  He passed some cars and then a car spun out right in front of him.  I had enough time to say watch it baby, watch it and Jacob luckily just clipped him as he drove through it.  Had he stepped on the brake, he would have t-boned him head on so I let my breathe out then.  He finished I think in either 13th or 14th position.  Not sure as we were planning to pick up the check the next night and then it was cancelled due to high winds.  Thank goodness as I'm pretty sure someone would have blown off the trailer the second night.  We were close a few times and the wind wasn't as bad Sunday night!

Had a little excitement in the pits after with some idiot yelling at the boys.  The guy that spun out all by himself that Jacob drove through was mad at us.  Tried to tell Steve how Hobby Stock wasn't a beginner's class and how many thousands of dollars was torn up on his car cause of Jacob.  I was so pissed.  No one yells at my kid - especially for something he didn't do.  And on top of it, the guy didn't even make any sense.  Steve and Jacob kept their cool.  I don't know how they could be so patient.  I truly wanted to hit the guy so bad.  Jacob doesn't need his confidence taken away from an idiot putting crap in his head that isn't even true.  If Jacob had caused the wreck, we would have been sure to admit it and apologize.  Interesting how the majority of drivers get that and all can run together so well.  It is only that small minority that are idiots.  So true in so many things in life!  The majority of racers are just such hard working, dedicated, great people.  It is fun to meet new people (not the idiots), but good people.  We met some this weekend and it really is just a joy to be around them.  And to see the spirit of racers that never give up.  Sometimes life is hard, but with hard work, you really can pull things back up and go forward.  Racing might just be a hobby, but I sure can't think of a better way to spend the weekend with family and friends!  Even covered in dirt and wind blown, it just feels so good to be around these great people. 

So next weekend, we try out two new tracks!  Hutchinson on Friday night and Mayetta on Saturday!  Last week I asked for some luck to get our best finish so far and it worked!  So, can we go for 2 great races this weekend with our best finished yet? (and we are out of spare parts so two great finishes with no damage - I know I am asking for a lot but hey, just a little prayer goes a long ways!!)

~CBR Mom