Week 4~7th

This weekend at Evergreen Speedway reminds me of a chant we used to sing in High School. It was the cheer that was off limits for the cheer squad. The teachers would not join in. Parents would look at us students like we were aliens from another planet, but we would yell it at the top of our lungs every time the whistle blew in a way that was absolutely incomprehensible.

This Saturday a call was made on myself and 2 other cars on the track that was worthy of our ridiculous cheer. This call was comparable to the other team picking up the football, running to their end zone, dropping the ball in their own end zone and the other team recovering for a touchdown. Only it wouldn't be a touchdown because the referee would interpret something different. Now you remember? "Nuts and bolts, Nuts and bolts, we got screwed." Maybe I shouldn't, but I'm saying it because never in my athletic, racing, competitive life have I been so mistreated by a "no call."

Here's the scenario. My car was good. Really good, 2nd fastest of the night after all was said and done. On lap two the 48 car made an in-completable move by going beneath the 78 car, making it three wide. As I was behind the 06 and outside of the whole wreck-in-the-making I checked up to avoid the impending spin. Sure enough 48 hits 78, and 78 spins right toward myself and the 06 who were outside of this amazing display. Well, to avoid the wreck myself, the 06 and the 42 went up and over the banking of the small track and onto the big track. I've done this before, always results in the caution flag. I've seen this done 100 times in my years going to Evergreen Speedway, always resulting in a caution.

You guessed it. As I drove my un-spun, uninjured race car down the back stretch under the impression the caution was flying Steve comes over the radio and says, "the green is out, GO, GO, GO!" I was like, "SERIOUSLY?" I couldn't believe it! I was on the back stretch of the big track with two other cars, another was spun out and there was no caution. 4 of the nine cars that started the race, 3 of the top 4 at the time of the wreck were missing, and nobody saw it fit to throw the caution. I entered the track 2 laps down by lap 4. MY NIGHT WAS OVER!

I raced pretty hard trying to see how hard I could run the car and for how long. Truthfully it was pretty fast and I was left only to wonder what if. I was frustrated, talking in my helmet, to my spotter, and crew.

The night ended withe one really high note. Natalie got her first top five. Very proud of her.

Practice.
I ran a 17.2 in practice. Car was really fast.

Qualify.
I qualified 17.6 for 4th. I don't know what really happened there.

Heat Race.
Started 4th finished 3rd. I got gathered in a big wreck on the front stretch. Thankfully Dr. Scott my chiropractor goes to the church, he fixed my sore neck up today.

Conclusion.
Next week is the 5/8's race on the big track. We've got some testing this week and are ready to get after it. I have hope Evergreen Speedway is getting things worked out. I spoke with the Director of Operations and the Promoter about what happened. Both assured me that the officiating will be dealt with, which I appreciate. Nevertheless, when we work as hard as we do on these cars, having the chance to win taken from you do to subjectivity is a hard pill to swallow. Anyone got any water?