Well, not surprisingly but very disappointingly,
we didn't qualify in Texas. The truth is, we
were testing under race conditions because we
didn't have enough time in the pre-season but
we didn't want to miss any events either. In
Texas, I had a problem with short shifting the
car. It was very stressful to not qualify for
the event. Imagine finally realizing a lifelong
dream and feeling like you didn't get the job
done. Add to that the stress of having your
employer's company name on the car, a name very
well known in racing for
ADVERTISEMENT
 |
increasing
performance. You feel like you let everyone
down and the bottom line is, it feels lousy
but it increases your determination and makes
you work harder. I left the event impatient
for the next chance to race and prove myself.
The team was great in Texas and we all learned
we could work together under pressure. One of
our goals at that first event was to get me
more seat time and to get down the track.
Prior to driving this 815 ci Grand Am, I drove
my own 500 ci Olds, a former NHRA Pro Stocker.
Needless to say, even though my car is a Pro
Stock chassis, everything is different. For
example, the shift points and the shifter type.
I am no longer driving my car and am focusing
only on the Grand Am. Even so, the hardest thing
so far is learning to wait for the shift, because
in my old car I shift much earlier and I have
been driving my Olds for a couple of years that
way very successfully.
Well, after Texas we went to Bradenton to test
and wound up throwing a set of mufflers on the
car and running in the Pro Series Fastest Street
Car event that weekend, qualifying second and
going out in the semifinals. Bob made us laugh
all weekend saying, "We came to test and a race
broke out!" It felt great to finally be going
some rounds.
Our second national event was in Rockingham
where I'm sorry to report we, again, did not
qualify running a 6.631 at 209 mph. The bump
was a 6.601. On the positive side, we ran well
and I drove better. We have more time in and
more race data. We stayed over a day after Rockingham
to test and have improved in both our clutch
tuning (Justin joined the team as our clutch
man as late in the pre-season as I did) and
my shift timing.
We are now headed confidently to Virginia with
every expectation of qualifying well there.
I'll be back to let you know how it all goes
at the ACDelco Nationals. 
|
