4:51 pm - I assumed the first spot on the track access road which faces the track entrance just outside of turn two. Finding the most inner peace I've ever felt in a race car, I relaxed and visually played out each lap. Remember the best laps from warm-ups, I pictured the optimum time get out of the gas, turning the wheel and entering the corner. My whole focus was getting to turn one first with the inside position, hugging that inside yuke tire sitting off turn two. The previous race winner was wrapping up his interview. Time to turn this 105 hp four stroke motor over and get the engine temp up to 195 degrees. Ahh, the sweet sound of an exhaust fifteen inches from your ear. Muffled in my helmet is still vibrated my ear drum.
5:07 pm - The field was in line and rolling around the tight 1/8th mile in close formation. The flagger held the folded green flag straight up and down indicating a start attempt the next time by. KJ Gardner was on my outside trying to squeeze me down. We both wanted the middle lane for the start. Rounding turn three I listened for any early start from Gardner, then slam I'm in the throttle! Both rear tires dug into the dirt for traction until the motor stumbled for a second and then burped to life. Just that little bit of hesitation allowed Gardner to gain a half a car length advantage. Undeterred I slung it into turn one low waiting for Gardner to turn the car down from his higher lane. With no grip in the upper groove he sat spinning his tires. I had maintained my speed on the bottom and let the car drift to the outside jersey barrier on the back stretch. In the lead, I gradually released the throttle getting into turn three blasting back into the gas right in the apex while hugging that bottom groove. As I eased into turn one the caution lights came out. Rick McGeady has spun in turn three before the entire field completed a full lap. This necessitated a complete restart. Two pace laps later, I was ready for redemption from my previous start. My right hand slightly engaged the clutch keeping the rpms in the 7,000 range. Turning the corner, I dumped the clutch and rocketing in front of Gardner this time cleanly beating him to the turn first. I was in a rhythm and ran each lap nearly identical. I was getting great bite in the apex and pulling straight off the corners. Ten laps had ticked off with ease. The flagger waved five fingers in the air signaling only five more circuits left. I was noticing the car starting to tighten up. It wasn't entering as free and easy as before and I had run the car deeper to get the car to turn while still staying on that bottom groove. More difficult was the balancing act becoming. In my peripheral up ahead, Gardner was looping his black mount in turn two right in my lane. Steering to the outside I stepped back in the throttle knowing full well that the caution was coming out. Three laps to go and the modifieds are single file, all lined up behind me for a restart. Repeating the clutch trick I waited until I was pointed straight and my persuers were still turning before I stood on the gas. Passing the flagger I felt a presence just to my outside. A distinct sound and the appearance of his shadow on the front stretch guardrail gave him away. It must be Doug, sniffing around. Knowing the only traction is on the bottom I steer for the inside yuke tire and place my left front inches from it. Again I have command of the field but tension is building. This is where races are lost, the errant mental mistake from negative thoughts creep in. Somehow I removed those apparitions from my mind and walked myself through the next corner, then the next corner, etc… I still feel someone there, every corner, just waiting. Only a crash is going to move me from that bottom groove. White flag is unfurled. Just four corners to go. Hitting my marks I achieve the perfect balance between speed and corning. Checkered flag is in his hands, powering off turn four the black and white squares are jumping! I stay in the gas for an insurance lap.
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