September 19th, Sandusky Speedway - Cavalcade Nationals
Results
Feature (25 laps): Started-9th, Finished-10th
We came back to the track on Sunday ready to finish off the season. In our one practice session, we got
about three laps, and the track was super slick. We were banking on the track getting tighter though, so
we only made a slight tire pressure adjustment. Due to the number of mechanical problems suffered by a
lot of our competitors, we started 9th in feature. At first, the car was a little loose, but as things
warmed up, the car handeld great. We had a great back-and-forth battle with Derek Snyder for the first
half the race until Derek lost a valve stem in his tire bringing out the caution. Under caution, I
quickly found out we would have a problem on the re-start. For some reason, the car would not clean-out
and accelerate after some slow paced laps. So, on the restart, I lost a little ground, but was able to
make it up since the car was handling great. I was trying to pick my way past the next guy when
another caution came out. During this caution, I happened to look down at my oil temp. gauge, and saw
it was 270 and still rising. I figured we only had 8 laps left, so I was going to chance it. Unfortunately,
the caution was kinda long. I was able to time the start well though, and didn't loose nearly the
ground as before. I got past the next guy, and tried to run down the next position. The caution came
out again though, and this time the oil temp. was pegged. It was a quick caution, but I couldn't get
the car to clean out and lost the position I gained and a lot of ground. The car was handling great
in the closing laps though, but I couldn't make up that ground I lost and came home in 10th. Well, that
about wraps it up for the season. I have to thank Dale and Eric Kremer for coming out to support us
Saturday and Tammy Steindam and Linda Tooman for coming Sunday. AND, I have to give ENORMOUS thanks
to Gene Lama for coming up from Columbus and helping us Saturday! I'll try and keep everyone updated
on things that are happening as they happen.
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