September 20th, Northern Ohio Burris Speedway Series #2-Toledo (Make-up)
Results
Stock Medium: 13 entries
Heat 1 (10 laps): Started-1st, Finished-4th
Heat 2 (10 laps): Started-6th, Finished-5th
Feature (20 laps): Started-9th, Finished-10th
This weekend we wrapped up the Northern Ohio Burris Speedway Series at
Toledo Speedway. Saturday was a make-up race for a rainout earlier in
the year, and Sunday was the final race of the 6 race points series.
We also took the Animal out for some practice which was a lot of fun
since the outdoor season is quickly coming to a close. Plus, we got to
learn more about it with the added track time. Anyway, on to the racing
action!
We pulled in on Saturday not really knowing what to expect. There was
new set-up in the kart, and we were anxious to see how it would work.
Throughout practice we made slight changes here and there trying to
make it faster. I had pulled the #1 pill when we registered, so we
knew we'd be starting up front for the first heat. Also, due to the
number of entries in the Medium class, they split us up into 2 groups
for the heats. We had a good start in our heat, and I was able to lead
the first lap or two. In the middle of the turn the kart was twitchy
though, and was a tick loose off. The 2nd place kart was able to take
advantage, and I was freight-trained by the two karts behind him. I
was able to fall back into line in 4th position though. The front
three slowly started to pull away as the loose condition didn't get any
better, but I was able to hold on to 4th place at the drop of the
checkers. For the second heat, we started 6th in our group. During
the break, we made some adjustments figuring we really didn't have much
to lose. The start was very clean, and I was able to get into 5th by
the first or second lap. The kart wasn't too bad in the beginning, but
again, it started to loosen up coming off. I ended up finishing 5th in
that heat. So, everything we had tried to that point in the day helped
for a little while, but not over the long run. I made the decision to
change the axle for the feature. It was one thing that was different
from when we were so fast at Toledo earlier in the year. So, with the
axle changed, and the weight percentages back to where they were before
the change, we were ready for the feature. I was pretty confident this
change would help. The start was pretty clean as I waited to see how
things would shake out. The kart felt pretty good early with only a
little twitch in the center of the turns. I fell in line, and just
tried to stick with everyone. They started to pull away a little, but
at lap 12 the kart really came in as the gap began to close a little.
However, the kart behind me came in as well, and was able to get a
nose under me going into the 3rd turn. This hurt my momentum a
little, but I could stick with him as we both ran down the pack. With
about 3 or 4 laps to go, the kart started to get a little loose
again, as we came home in 10th. After the feature, we put the kart
back on the scales, and made some changes for Sunday.
Continue to Sunday's report
Back to 2003 Reports