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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