Weeks like this past one make it easy to blog. There has been so much activity that the tough part is editing down events to keep from getting carpal tunnel syndrome. Most of you probably watched the race on TV or made it out for an amazing weekend, both weather and racing-wise, at Pomona.

Wednesday our crew brought the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Charger to Burbank for a very cool evening. We were invited to Jay Leno’s garage for a tour and more. Never have I seen such an eclectic and unbelievable assembly of mechanical apparatus in one place. From early 1800s steam-powered machines to brand new superbikes, from custom Duesenbergs to Hemi Coronets to Lamborghinis, it’s all there. Jay was very hospitable with the entire group, and the DSR staff made a great steak dinner in Jay’s garage kitchen! He even sat in Scelzi’s Mopar Oakley Dodge while it was running. The air quality in the surrounding area went south for the night, but mosquito abatement won’t be necessary for awhile. We shot segments that will be used during NHRA broadcasts this season featuring Ron, Gary, Cory and I with Jay and some of his toys.

Thursday we ran well on our first qualifying run. I felt a vibration and clicked it early, but we still ran a good 4.86 that eventually ended up as our best run. That night we had Glendora Dodge come out for their annual appreciation dinner, and we even had a live band (as opposed to a dead band?). The drummer is my dentist, Steve Chapple, and he had been telling me about his group and how good they were. He wasn’t lying, these guys (Smokin’ Gun) really rocked. During intermission Jason and I sat down for his first drum lesson, and he really was able to hold the drumsticks and make some noise. Later, we got a group shot and if John Jodauga looks familiar to you, don’t accuse him of moonlighting in a band. He may be multi-talented as a ND writer and artist, but his connection is that he, too, trusts his teeth to “drummer Steve.”

Friday we tried to rotate the earth, and the earth won. Our car launched hard, but they don’t give out awards for the quickest 60-foot time, and we didn’t go too much further before blazing the tires. Still, the car looks bitchin’ and should really turn some heads. We had RDV Consulting on board for this race, as president Ralph Solis has long been a hardcore fan of this sport and probably will team up with us for several more races. It’s great to be part of a team that is flexible enough to be able to highlight companies for one race or 24, in a smaller associate capacity or as a full coverage major sponsor. Thanks, Ralph.

Now that we are getting to know more of the racers, Jason is developing more friendships. Terry and Bambi Haddock’s son McKailen is something else, and he tried to push Jason around the pits in his little car. Ed and Gerri Lynn Seraukis’ daughter Elle is NOT shy, and she was planting kisses on any of the little boys within lipshot, including Jason. Usually Jason is the overbearing one, so seeing him being approached and manhandled was funny. Tom Yancer’s granddaughter Ashlyn spent time in our motorhome while Tom raced, and Jason liked entertaining the young lady. Some of us are fortunate to be able to bring our children to the races, but most of the crewmembers don’t have that luxury, and I really feel for their sacrifices while on the road. It can be a tough job for these guys, and they do it without complaint.

Friday morning I participated in the Army YES program, speaking with several groups of high school students about life, education, choices, and careers. Tony Schumacher and I handled the big tent, and he is a naturally gifted speaker with volumes of experience to entertain with. I always pick up a lot listening to him.

And then there were the second graders. Teacher extraordinaire and bracket racer Joy Linehan brought her class to expose them to NHRA. We showed them the pits and talked about racing. I was still over at the Army program and the 7-year-olds tended to be impatient, DSR coordinator LuAnn Bishop came up with a great solution: Dominic Scelzi kept ‘em all listening as he talked about his racing exploits until I arrived. Dom and his little brother Giovanni are great, and I know Gary and Julie are as proud as can be.

Friday night I again participated in a panel discussion at the NHRA Wally Parks Museum. J.R. Todd, Doug Herbert, Hillary Will, and Antron Brown also were guests. In my last blog I did not mention that Doug had lost both of his sons in an auto accident, as I couldn’t even bring myself to think about it. There’s nothing that can be said or done to minimize the family’s grief, but seeing Doug and how he is choosing to cope is remarkable. Big guy, literally and figuratively. We were asked lots of questions by M.C. Bob Frey as well as by the large crowd. I again got to rub shoulders with some of the legends of the sport. I still get goosebumps talking with some of these icons and can’t believe the way they still follow the sport. I had the privilege of meeting Butch Maas and Gas Ronda for the first time. Butch won the 1971 Winternationalsand Gas was THE MAN in the early days of Funny Car. James Warren was in the house. Keep in mind that many of these gentlemen are now well into their 60s, 70s, and more, and time will eventually take them from us. That’s why the museum means so much to me, and actually speaking with the people who were the Babe Ruths, Joe DiMaggios, and Jackie Robinsons of our sport is irreplaceable.

Jenna and I managed to go out for a double date after the museum with Paul and Jessica Mitsos. The Mitsos family runs the Mountain View Goodyear chain, and this year are running Pro Stock after many wins in Comp. I forgot what a night out (well, two hours out) felt like.

After all 23 fuel coupes gave it their best in qualifying, we found ourselves in an interesting position: We qualified but had to race new teammate Jerry Toliver in the first round. We managed to pull out the win, but for the third straight run our car just wasn’t as strong as it should have been. Whatever problem was plaguing us again surfaced in round two, where we lost to Cruz Pedregon in a fairly tight race. We are happy to leave in seventh place, but disappointed to not do better. The best news is that Tommy and Rick, with the help of Phil Shuler, were able to locate the culprit causing our inconsistency. Our car just wasn’t responding to the tuning inputs. Todd Okuhara gave us fuel flow numbers from his car, but we’d keep dropping cylinders. That now is remedied, and the entire crew is very optimistic about Phoenix.

Speaking of crew, I want to salute the “Boys in Blue.” The MTS/Valvoline crew consists of Rick Cassel, Tommy Delago, Eddie Otto, Terry Snyder, Joe Chrisman, Mark Stewart, Daniel Neal, Chris Afflerbach, and Steve Beaty. These guys keep me fast and safe, and I couldn’t ask for more.

Well, today we dumped, filled, emptied and parked the motor home, went to show Jenna’s car and trailer to the new owners, went in for his and her dental checkups (with our favorite rock drummer, of course), and got back home at 5 p.m.. Mail, e-mail, bills, blogs, and maybe dinner, and then some REST.

Or not. I will be on the red eye tonight to Gainesville to instruct at the Hawley school Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday night I’m heading back home for some REST. Or not.

Stay tuned.