July 19th, Northern Ohio Burris Speedway Series #4-Toledo
Results
Heat 1A (10 laps): Started-1st, Finished-1st
Heat 2A (10 laps): Started-6th, Finished-4th
Feature (20 laps): Started-5th, Finished-5th
This weekend we finally got to run a race at Toledo Speedway withOUT
the threat of rain. We were there to run the 4th race of the Northern
Ohio Burris Speedway Series. Going into this weekend, we were sitting
4th in the points, and with a good run, we were hoping to move up a
little. We had 11 karts entered in the class, so the decision was made
to run two heats, an A and B, of 6 and 5 karts each. Then, from the
finishing positions in the separate heats, the starting positions for
the 11 kart feature would be set. I drew a pretty good pill, so we
started on the pole for Heat 1A. Throughout hot laps, the kart was a
little loose, so we made some adjustments that we thought would tighten
it up. I must say, we hit the nail right on the head because the kart
was just a little loose in the beginning, but tightened up as the laps
progressed. We ended up leading flag to flag, and came home, if I'm
not mistaken, with our first ever heat win at Toledo! We decided to
make a very minor adjustment, 1/8" of tire movement, for the second
heat though, since we would be starting in the back. We hoped to start
the kart off a little more loose, so it be fast early, and tighten up
by the end. Well, our calculations were a little off because the kart
started off loose and just kept getting looser. We were able to get up
to 4th, but couldn't pull underneath to get by the 3rd place runner.
So, with our heat finishes we ended up started 5th in feature. That
was right behind series’ point leader Kent McCloskey. Starting second
was Bobby Gindlesperger, who is also 2nd in points, and 3rd place in
points, Seth Schneider, started 9th I believe. The first start of the
feature was wild and crazy. There were karts going everywhere, but I
think we ended up around 4th. We had to have a complete restart though
because of something that happened behind us. The restart was a little
less hectic, although they did make it 3-wide ahead of me coming off
the 2nd turn. Everyone made it through alright on the first lap, but
the second lap; someone got out of shape, and two of them got together.
They slowed down enough that I was able to quickly dive under them to
go into 3rd. We ran there for the next 7-8 laps as we were reeling in
the 2 front runners. However, Kent was able to get past me. I fell in
behind him to try and get to the leaders faster. But, another kart, Scott
Bross was able to slip under me off of the 4th turn. I followed him as
close as I could. If fact so close, that I didn't see the caution come
out because of a spin ahead of us. We made it through ok, with only me
bumping Scott when he slowed up. We found out later that Kent and Bobby
had gotten together with Bobby spinning. Well, they ended up giving
Bobby his spot back even though he caused the caution! I still don't
understand this. It is VERY COMMON KNOWLEDGE that in racing, anyone
who causes or is involved in a caution they go to the tail of the field
on the restart. At the very least, Bobby should have restarted last, and
even if they felt Kent did something on purpose, then he should have
gone to the tail too. Either way, it would have really helped us in
points. Anyway, Bobby got his spot back and we restarted 5th with 3
laps to go. That's were we ended up because as I tried to make the
pass on Bross, the kart behind me made a move under me. I gave him
room, but he couldn't make the pass, and by that time, I gave up a lot
to Bross. I made it back up to him, but couldn't get around him by the
checkers because the kart was a tick loose in the middle of the turn. I'm
not exactly sure who won the race. We finished 5th, and came home ahead
of Seth, so we made up some points there. Our next race will be the
5th race of the NOBSS at Barberton on July 27th. Racing will be starting
somewhere around noon. I have some things in the works right now, and will
probably be making an announcement sometime soon. Oh, I almost forgot,
we were allowed to run the Animal in practice and without any sort of
set-up in it, ran laps half a second faster than the flathead. Have I
mentioned I love the Animal? Oh also, congratulations to Brian and
Becky Kremer on their marriage this week-end!
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