Well, my first race was good and bad. I was only my second race ever, but first of the season. It has been really easy to work on the cars the last couple of years, but still getting used to setting them up to drive them the way I want to. I went out in hot laps, and the car felf pretty good, but the track was still really slick. Didn't really do much to the car before the heat race, and it ended up being way too loose. ouldn't even get on the gas cause the car just wanted to turn left and spin out the whole time, which eventually happened mid way through the heat. So after that, I went back to the pit area, and talked with Hendrix and Mc Cormick, and they helped me alot with setting the car up a little better.(Mc Cormick used to own and drive this car awhile back) We tightened the crap out of if, threw the tool box at it as Rick said, lol. They called up the first B main so quick, I barely made it out. Being a rookie, I have to start in the back anyways, so I used the first couple of laps to get used to the car, and get some confidence built up. After about 2-3 laps, the car felt so good, I could drive it into the corners, and drive it out, car felt like it was on a rail! I had a few good laps, caught back up to the back, and began actually passing cars, I was feeling good! Then all of a sudden, I went high in turn 1, hit the cussion with the right rear, and it seemed like it just grabbed the car, and made an abrupt right turn towards the turn 2 wall. The next thing I know, I have 2 wheels on the wall, and 2 wheels still on the ground, but that didn't last long. All of a sudden, the front wheel turned and jammed into the ground, now tipping my car upright onto the front bumper. I remember looking straight down, and it felt like a ride or somehting, waiting for the car to come down onto the cage. It finally did, and then rolled over to the side. Then as I rush to get out, I notice a small fire. The oil overflow hose had come loose, and spilled oil onto the track right where the muffler was shooting out flames. Got out and was taken over to the golf cart to get checked out, and then brought back to my pit area. My car was FINALLY brought back to my pit area about 45 minutes later. There wasn't a whole lot of damage, the hood was chipped a little(i'm 2 for 2 for hoods the last two weeks lol)bent drag link and tie rod, broken radius rod and heim, tire was just popped off the bead, and a bent to hell visor.(thanks to the tow truck driver) Car could have been worse. Cleaned it, went through it, and put it back together Sunday. I guess this is one for my record books! Bet your ass I'll be right back out there this Saturday, I can't wait!
-Mike-
