September 21st, Northern Ohio Burris Speedway Series #6-Toledo
Results
Stock Medium: 10 entries
Heat 1 (10 laps): Started-1st, Finished-3rd
Heat 2 (10 laps): Started-5th, Finished-5th
Feature (20 laps): Started-6th, Finished-10th
We rolled in Sunday ready to try our tweaked set-up from the feature on
Saturday. Throughout practice we made slight adjustments to make the
kart a little more comfortable. For the second day in a row, I pulled
the #1 pill at registration, so we would be starting on the pole for
our first heat. Again, due to the kart count, they split the Mediums
into two groups for the heat races. Again, we had a great start and
led the early laps of the heat. The kart wanted to come off of the
bottom slightly coming off the turns though, and we dropped back to
3rd. I stayed right on the bumper of the 2nd place kart of Seth though
for the whole race. I started gaining ground on him with about 3 to go
though, and wanted to pass him going into the first turn. I entered a
little high though, and the kart broke loose. I gathered it up, and
still almost got back to Seth by the line, but we came home with 3rd.
For the second heat, we started 5th. We thought the set-up was pretty
good, so we just made some pressure adjustments to the tires. The kart
started off ok, but was still twitchy in the middle of the turns. It
just never seemed to hook up though, and we ended up coming home in
5th. So, by our finishing positions we ended up starting 6th in the
feature. Again, we made some slight adjustments, hoping they would help
us move forward. For some reason, when the field came onto the track,
we did an exorbitant about of pace laps. Finally, we thought we were
coming down for the green, but the flagman ended up not throwing it.
The karts ahead slowed quickly, and I was forced to jam on the brakes.
I think the guy behind me hit me, and I ended up spinning. Well, we
got all lined-up again for a complete restart. The outside line, the
one I was in, didn’t get a great start and I lost a position early. We
battled back on the outside going into the first turn, and got a great
run. The kart inside of me however, bobbled and his right rear tire
brushed my nose. I guess this slowed me enough that the kart behind
me decided he could run over me again! Well, that sent me spinning off
of the second turn toward the wall, but I was able to get it stopped in
time. Again, it was a complete restart since we didn’t have a full lap
in. This time, the start didn’t go too bad. The outside line didn’t
get the best of jumps again though, and we quickly lost a spot. The
field was really close for the first lap or two as I was watching the
action ahead of me. It looked like something big was gonna happen and
it did. Around 2nd or 3rd place two karts got together. The one kart
spun scattering everyone behind him. Another kart did get collected
and both of them headed up the track. I was still going full bore, and
I picked my line to go right where the karts in the accident were at on
the track. To me, it looked like they were going to continue up the
track, and I would get by no problem. Well, that wasn’t the case
because the two of them came to stop right where I was going. I had
to quickly change course and slam on the brakes. I ended up spinning
towards the outside wall. Thankfully, the kart spun all the way
around, and I only brushed the tires that lined the wall. But, I
wasn’t sure what type of damage the kart may have sustained. We ended
up restarting 9th, and were passed on the backstretch by the guy who
originally caused the caution, even though the green hadn’t come out
yet. I tried to give him as much trouble getting around me as I could,
but that didn’t last too long. I still wasn’t sure about damage to the
kart, and it was back to being twitchy and loose off again. Being out
there for 20 laps were tough, but we ended up making it home in 10th
with no other harm.
Well, that pretty much wraps the weekend at Toledo and the Northern
Ohio Burris Speedway Series for the year. I think we ended up 4th in
the point standings, but that’s not official yet. We did end up
winning two new tires at the awards banquet that we will definitely be
able to use next year. Also, after scouring through all our notes and
racking our brains, we think we know the solution to our recent Toledo
problems. Except, we won’t be able to try them out until next year
because the kart schedule at Toledo is complete for the year. I have
to thank my friend from Valpo U, Matt Mays, for making the 3 hour trek
to help us out on Saturday! We greatly appreciate everything you did
making the day run smoother. I also have to thank my girlfriend, Abby,
for being there and helping us out with everything both days, let alone
keeping dad and I sane. Thank you to my Aunt Karen for coming out on Sunday
and supporting us as well!! Thanks to Chuck’s Custom Karting for
everything he’s helped us with this year, and a big think you to my Dad
as well. I know he does everything he can to make us fast. And I know
we were both pretty frustrated yesterday, but without those types of
days, we wouldn’t get any better. Actually, we witnessed first-hand
how racing humbles you. Last week, we were the best, this week, not so
much. I’m not sure when we’ll have the karts out to race again. We’re
looking to get the midget ready for the Midget Experience class that
will be held at Toledo Speedway, Oct. 18th, so I would like to focus
more on that. However, we’ll probably get the karts out one more time
in October to run Jackson. Oh, I almost forgot, happy birthday
today, (Sept. 22nd ) to my friends Steve and Steph!
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