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Trust me, this is not a new theory but, to
be honest, I would flirt with the concept and
sometimes actually achieve it. For me the competition
in racing is 90 percent of the fun. I let that
get away from me for too long and now that I
feel I have got the CALM part down, the CONFIDENCE
is returning. It can make for some long events
for your competition and that is the ultimate
goal of racing, right? Make the competition
feel like they came to the wrong place!
Whatever your goals in racing, I think you
will find them tied directly to your everyday
life. If you are stressed at work you are more
likely to be stressed at the starting line,
the pit gate, the concession stand, etc. If
you are spending too much money on the car and
that is stressing you out, take a break for
a month; the track will still be there. Worried
about health problems or missing a family function
that is creating stress? Don't race, as you
are throwing money away. Think you can cut consistent
lights when you are stressed out? I can guarantee
you it won't happen.
The opposite is true as well. If the job is
great, the family is doing good and life just
seems right, you will be a "tough out"
when you get to the track. To me it is about
being able to focus without the distractions
of everyday life. Nobody is completely stress-free,
but the less stress you have to deal with at
work or home, the more FUN you will have racing.
There are a lot of ways to win races and I
am devoting this column to the last two jobs
I have had that had me about 100 percent stressed
out. I finally got rid of that part of my stress
(no, not all of it as I still have to have a
job!) and my racing took a huge leap forward.
Four finals in five events and two wins. It
has been a long, long time since I have felt
this good racing. Too bad for the stressed-out
guy in the other lane.
God Bless, and maybe we'll get to see you at
the stripe.
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Dead-On
— 8/8/04
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