In this ever-changing world we live in, it seems like there is only one constant. Give life a few moments and something is bound to change. Kind of like not qualifying in Phoenix, then qualifying No. 1 a couple of times and then, oh yeah, DNQing again in Vegas. What a whirlwind of emotion for Team Vis Viva. When we are on our game, look out. When we are not, it’s ugly. After testing in Vegas, I believe we have found some middle ground. Oh yeah, only one problem now: We just brought out our new car for this race with the new chassis spec backhalf configuration. So here we go again with change.
The good news is that Tony and Dexter have a few good friends that are already running this combination and they have given us some insight as to what the characteristic differences are between the two styles of chassis’ we have run in the past and are about to run. Cross your fingers, as I hope we can hit the floor running with this new car and show everyone that Team Vis Viva has the resiliency to bounce back and be even stronger than before.
On a lighter note, another inevitable change took place around my house. My daughter had a birthday this past weekend and is definitely making me feel old. Actually, I don’t feel any older. It’s just that she is a teenager who just got her driver’s education book in the mail and I am like, holy cow, my kid’s about to start driving? We had a great time celebrating her birthday. We went to the drive–in movie and watched Prom Night. After watching that movie, I am getting a concealed hand gun permit and going to prom when that moment comes! After all, it’s my job to protect daddy’s girl, right? Her life represents the greatest accomplishment I have ever had. I tell her that all the time and she just gives me that teenager look. I am sure most of you have seen that look too.
Anyway, she told me one time that she didn’t get the whole idea of her being the best I had achieved compared to all the trophies, championships, becoming a doctor etc that her dad had accomplished. I reminded her that no matter what else I did in life, she would prove to be a representation of what I had created and the values that were instilled in her and to me that is the true definition of success. As usual, she sort of rolls her eyes and gives me that smile that says “Okay dad, whatever you think!” No matter what she thinks, she is the greatest accomplishment to me and is the love of my life! Proud Papa … can you tell?
Since I had a weekend off from the racing, I got a chance to see some of my patients who love NHRA POWERade drag racing too. This little guy is a huge fan of ours and loves to talk hot rods with me while his mom gets treated.
Back to racing for a moment. I would like to congratulate my teammate Mikey Kile and his team for their recent third-place finish in Virginia last week while racing in the Hooter’s Cup Series. Let’s see, my CSK teammate, Del Worsham, has won recently, now Mikey with a third-place finish, it’s time we step up and put something on the board for Team Vis Viva, too. Maybe Atlanta will be just the place.
Also, we have a special announcement forthcoming in the very near future that all of you will be ecstatic over. I hate to be mischievous and not give you anymore detail than that but I can say this, it will blow you away. We have been very busy preparing for this moment and can’t wait to show the world what we have up our sleeve. Stay tuned for more information and wish us well in Atlanta.
AB