Two races in the books since my last post, and unfortunately not many positive things to write about. On June 20, I started the race on the outside of row 1. At the end of the first lap, I had pulled ahead to gain the top spot. Going into turn 1 on lap two, my drive shaft failed, ending my eveing very quickly. I collected a DNF in 13th position.

On June 27, thanks to a terrible finish the week before, I started the race on the inside of row 6. The back half of the field really never took off, and I watched the top 6 or 7 sail away. Morton (6) suffered another terrible week, wrecking about 1/3 of the way into the race. Shortly after the next restart, Bill Wallace began oiling the track having lost the inspection plug from his oil pan. I decided to join the party by spilling tranny fluid all over the underside of my car, including the tires. After spinning in 1 and 2, I fell to the back of the pack, and really never could race anyone again. At times, my car would come out of gear all together, and when it didn't, it wanted to spin with the lightest touch of the throttle. Back in the garage, light red fluid dripped from the frame confirming the failure. 11th place was the best I could muster - and lucky to drive it back to the hanger. We're off next week, so again, a little more work to do.

If anyone ever accused track officials of "playing favorite" to the Promark Racing team, go ahead and scratch that. The Classics pulled pills to decide starting order, and all restarts would again be double-file. The feature was slated for 40 laps - cautions would not count, and yes, fuel would become an issue. Bill Wallace fronted Promarks team starting 5th, Brian Adams the outside of row 6 and I started behind Brian in 14th spot. It felt like the race lasted 4 hours. We were, in fact, on the track for 1 hour and 10 minutes, and it was almost 15 minutes into the race before the first official lap was recorded. Bill was strong all day, and after much work on the #2 machine, Brian was more racey than I expected he would be. Fast forward through countless caution laps, waved-off restartes, double-file fiascos. With 5 laps to go, Bill is in 2nd, I am in 4th, and Brian in 6th. With the next caution, Bill's tank would finally run dry as he pulled to the inside of the backstretch. Within 5 laps, restarts are single-file. I took the flag in 3rd, Brian in 5th. I managed by the #44 of Chumpy Brumfield with 3 to go and set sights on the #66. As we battled off of turn 4, my car had great grip and I ducked under the 66 machine. But going into turn 1, someone did not want to yield their top spot. In my opinion (and it's just that), I was at his door diving into one. He pulled down to get the low line, and in doing so ran across the front of my car sending him spinning up the track in turn 2. I was now sure that I was going to score back-to-back wins. As the field was settled for the restart, track officials announced I would be sent to the back for spinning the leader. I declined and was soon told I would not be scored as of the next lap. With that I went the back of the field where I started with only 2 laps to go. The car bobbled on the next lap, and I new fuel was low. I limped the car home with just enough fuel to finish. All that for 10th position. I expressed my opinion to track officials as I left the track!!

After being released by the ophthamologist on July 29th, I got back on track for the 7th event of the season. Vision, by the way, is doing very well, and as of now, everthing is "looking" good! The Classics feature this night would start 13 drivers, and I would start 8th. I finished practice after only 2 laps - it was so bad that I thought I had broken something in the rearend - shock, spring, mount, something. In fact, I had not - the track was just that slick! Although the car was not performing all that great, it was a really fun night. I was able to make my way past several cars and settle into 3rd position. The 01 car and I spent about 10 laps battling it out, and on one occasion we both spun. I took a good shot in the driver's side breaking the rub rail. I passed through the pits just long enough for Bill Wallace (DNF - wreck) to pull the rail off and let me continue. The 01 and I continued to battle but after almost spinning out with less than 5 to go, I backed off a bit and rolled home in 3rd. Next race is August 16th.

I've kinda slacked off for the past month with posts here. Sorry about that. I do have a few noteworthy items to mention. Bill has now won 2 races this year, and Brian won the Feature tonight. On July 12th, I pulled off a 3rd Place finish, my best yet. The car's still a little off, but better. And even better yet, it's stayed out of the garage between races.

On July 16th, I was helping Bill repair his rear gear. A small part became dislodged from the differential and became relodged in my right eye. I had laser surgery that night to repair a small retinal detachment and retinal tear. Obviously, I did not drive on the 19th, but Bill had engine troubles and so he piloted my car in the feature to a 4th place finish. I revisit the eye doctor on July 29th and the next race is August 2nd. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be cleared to race, but my chase for the points championship is now over. Click here to see that danged little metal piece.

Well, you wouldn't think that a 10th place finish would be a very positive outcome, but in fact it was. After a week's worth of adjustments, and missing the first practice, I was able to race door-to-door with one of the weekly top-runners in final practice and felt good about the setup. After pulling pills, I started on the outside of row 4 in 8th position. It would be a very long night, however, suffering 2 spins, a front-end collision, and a door jarring hit with Jason Garrett. The setup was good enough to finish in the top 5, but it wasn't in the cards. I finished on the lead lap in 10th, passing the 69 in the final turn following his spin. We'll be back at it in two weeks.

Painting is finished - at least for the interior. Check out the pics.

Greg Hendricks/Promark Racing announce that Marshall Neuroscience has agreed to come aboard as the primary sponsor for the #29 Classic for 2008. Look for the Neuroscience logo at the track and at various locations during the season.

As you can see in the picture at the right, the Stedman² has made the trip from the track to the Promark Garage for its pre-season check-up.The body has to be remounted - it was actually back about 2 inches from where it should have been last year. We will finish all the frame and suspension stuff and then remount the body in the proper position.