7/3/2006  A Second Top 10 in a Row

Brad McClelland had a great run Friday night for a win in a race that had about everything going on to include the track lights going out during lap 13 with the cars at full speed.  All were relieved to see no one wreck as they all pulled to a stop until the lights were repaired.

Speaking of Brad, B&D Truck Hoist did a great job fixing our trailer, thanks.  If you need some work done, be sure and stop by or call them.  They are right in Westminster, Maryland off #97.

Jessie had another great finish the hard way with a second top 10 in a row.

Jessie started 4th in what looked like a really strong 3rd heat.  As the heat went on the car faded to the back, the moisture from all the rain we had seemed to continue to come out of the track.  Reading the dirt is a big part of this game.  By the end she was trying a different line with the type car she had maybe a little too late but that knowledge will payoff later.

On to the Consi, in which there was a small group of really good drivers attempting to fill the final 3 spots.  Billy Dietrich 4th in points changed motors in the pit to make the Consi.  It's not common to look over in the 358 Pits and see a Tow Truck putting a backup motor in.  Derek Locke 7th in points had some trouble in his heat so he was attempting to make the feature via the Consi as well.  Another car was changing a rear end the came that apart earlier in the night to run the Consi.

There are some great competitors in the 358 Class.  I've counted 130 different drivers starting in 358 Sprints this year at the four tracks that run them regularly.

Doug and Randy made a change or two for the Consi and the car hooked up.  Jessie was fast and won going away.  Yes you know it, she had that big grin.

Racing in an environment where folks are going home (don't make the feature) adds to the intensity of the night.  The pressure was on to make the feature and the team was jacked up by the strong Consi finish.  Derek and Billy made feature with strong runs in the Consi as well.

Hugs to Doug, Randy and Sean. (with our driver you get a big hug, none of this hand shaken and high fiven except maybe for Brian)

The feature was the longest combination of everything that could be thrown at you in a sprint race, flips, rubbing, wreckin, break downs and the Track Lights going out. 

What a run and another great setup by Doug and Randy.  Jessie started 22nd and finished 7th in the feature. 

We couldn't have a better bunch of friends we call pit crew.

Great Job.

Jeff Rohrbaugh finished 2nd and Mike Duncan was 3rd.  Mike's dad was one of the first of congratulate Jessie's dad last week on her 3rd place finish.  Well great run Mike.  Billy was running about 5th when his rear blew, tough luck.

Our friend from work, Phil Howard came up to see his first Sprint Car Race.  He was able to see about all that can happen at the track, all in one night.  Our friend Rick Mandelson got a chance to tell him what was going on.  Hope to see Phil again.

Toni, Robert and Jonathon came by as well, thanks.  We can always use help cleaning all the mud off, especially when we are in the first warm up.

Saturday we brought the car home to Jessie's front yard in Layhill, Md to wash and setup for next week.  We normally keep it in the Westminster area.  This gave us a chance to show it to our neighbors and friends who have never been to a dirt track or seen a sprint car.  We had a great time with the neighbors in our show and tell endeavor.