It’s Thursday night and I am sitting in my hotel room listening to the rain. I just finished signing autographs at Classic Harley Davidson here in Reading, Pa. There was a really nice turnout and as usual, the dealership was very pretty. I was going to watch the NHRA softball game but the weather is so bad right now that I’ve elected to stay dry in the comfort of my cozy room, plus, I am pretty sleepy from my 4 a.m. wakeup call this morning to fly here from New Orleans.

I didn’t have much downtime at home between Brainerd and now but I did manage to get some training in. I attended Jiu-Jitsu class on Monday and Tuesday evening. I got in a couple of tough workouts which really helped me to feel better about what happened in Brainerd. I usually mourn the loss of a race for about three days. It’s pretty pathetic but it’s the way I am. Like I have said to you guys before ... you just can’t imagine how bad I want to win.

After training at BlackList Jiu-Jitsu with my friends and teammates this week, I really feel ready to get back to it and hopefully find my way to the winner’s circle on my Rush Racing Buell for the first time this year. My team did such a wonderful job in Brainerd. Everything went right all the way up to the final when the cam sensor failed on us. We really had a great time along with working hard. My birthday was on Thursday August 7 and I had an appearance scheduled at Zylstra Harley Davidson in Elk River, Minn.

The staff there was very friendly and made my day by having a birthday cake waiting for me along with a really long line of fans patiently awaiting my arrival. My brother, Rickie Sampey, attended the race with me and was on the starting line next to me for the first time in 12 years. He immediately acquired the job of umbrella guy and did a fantastic job of keeping me and my bike cool. My family doesn’t get to see me race much. My dad usually makes one race a year and my mom hasn’t been in over four years now. Thank goodness for NHRA.com’s race results because my family would go nuts not know what is going on while I am racing. My parents faithfully listen in to the live audio every race weekend. My mom says Bob Frey helps her to calm her nerves because he is so funny.

The fans in Brainerd were rowdy and fun as usual as we took a spin through the Zoo to say hi to everyone and sign some autographs for them. I just love to see the stuff those guys build to ride around on. One guy had a bathtub on wheels and another had a full-service bar and bar stools all on wheels. I think when we have fun in life or with our work we are all more productive. I know I enjoyed myself in Brainerd and I think my team did as well and it showed in our performance. That’s why I always say, “As soon as I am not having fun anymore,... I am going to quit!” I can specifically remember certain times in my career that I was so miserable that I wanted to quit and I couldn’t win a race to save my life but as soon as I decided to focus on enjoying the ride and having more fun with my job,... then bam,... the wins and championships just fell into my lap.

I have also come to realize that people will try to take your fun just like they try to take your dreams. DONT LET THEM! Life is too short. Make the most of every day. Watch the movie Bucket List and live that way. I am not saying to slack off on your responsibilities or lose your focus on your priorities, but rather, be more focused, and more responsible, and then make time to have some fun to reward yourself for all that you have done. After all, the harder you work, the more you deserve it. My mom told me that when my brother and I were young and the kitchen needed cleaning, she would decide to play with us first and clean the kitchen later. She said the dirty dishes weren’t going anywhere but we were growing older by the minute. So I guess that’s where and how I became programmed to have fun as a priority in my life. Thanks Mom!

Now I am in Reading, which happens to be my most successful race. I have won here more than any other race on the circuit. My very first win was here on Sept. 15, 1996. I was No. 1 qualifier, set the national ET record and won the race, all at only the fourth race of my career. Yes I have to say that I love to race in Reading. By the time you read this, the race will probably be over and I am hoping that it was me that you saw in the winners circle accepting that Wally for the NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals. 

Well that’s bout all I have to say about that.

Till next time.

Boudreaux suspects his wife of cheating on him, so he goes out and buys a gun. He goes to his house unexpectedly and when he opens the door he finds her in the arms of a redhead. Well, Boudreaux is really angry. He pulls out the gun, and as he does so, he is overcome with grief. He takes the gun and puts it to his head.

His wife yells, “No, honey, don't do it!!!”

Boudreaux replies, “Shut up, you're next!”