Wish i could drive the racecar as well as I tow. We made it home in just under 11 hours including dropping Martha-Nell at the Airport in STL. (I think Shelley tows better / faster then me.) Eleven hours allows you some time to figure out how dumb you can be. Also how good / smart others are.
Jeff really did a good job of wheeling the Neon Saturday. Much faster and more aggressive then any other time we have raced. Overall I think our cars are very close on that track. I got comfortable enough during second Q seesion to get a better time, but during the race he was consistent through T1 & T2 and that really is important at STL. I think for the most part the miata beats the Neon on the turn back on to the oval, but the Neon has the HP / TQ to cover any advantage. Cars are close. Drivers at STL NOT! My lack of time at the track showed up in the race for sure (not to mention my stupidity.) For some reason I thought I should win the race on the first few laps. After breaking away from Jeff & Travis I got the ol "your doing great, you are way ahead," on the radio and proceeded to have traffic & missed shift problem. This let them catch back up even as they diced. SOOO in my great wisdom i decided to do my best not to get passed by taking an inside line where it really is not a good idea to. Two wheels off, contact, all wheels off spinning dirt, OH SHIT! Back on track wheel is not exactly straight. Still lead cars in sight so back on the hammer. T1 not bad...T2 OH SHHHHHHIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTT! car does not want to turn left very well and here comes MR. TIREWALL! Bang, actually double bang. Car will still run and steer so back on the track. Radio says the nose is bent to hell, but fenders don't look too bad. Side door has a Neon rash, but I am sure his does too. Double Yellow comes out for the Capri. Then black flag brings us in for a short wait, we go back out and I am behind some B & C cars as we pace around the track i am yelling GO GO GO, but the B & C cars are gapping back for almost a split start. OH WELL, lets finish the last couple of laps and get ready for ARRC.
Jeff ran a smart race and showed his skill where he was most comfortable. He had his car well prepped (Dang you Burkett
) and ramped up his game when he needed to. Very Good job.
Thanks to the whole paddock for fixing my car after the crash, I could have run it Sunday, but glad I came on home so I can start getting it ready for ARRC today. Travis, Sidewalk, Volante, Jerrod, Renny Bobby, Paige, Zman, Scott, Brian, and anybody else thanks it was fun and you guys are the best. Got to thank the officals also, STL bunch were very nice. Thanks to my crew (daughters Martha- Nell and Shelley they are great helpers.)
It was a fun season ....good racing, and fun times in the Midwest in 07.
Got to go beat out some fenders.
Mac