Well after a trip to Topeka, Kan., I’ve got to admit it looks like we are getting closer on a tune-up for the hot summer days ahead. I was really happy to experience some good solid 4.60 runs during qualifying in the heat of the day. When you have the Army car go 4.62 next to your 4.64, you know you are getting close. So as we went into round one, I felt confident we would have a good ol’ fashioned drag race. What I didn’t expect is that we would have an ignition failure. Of course, when that happened, you have half the spark and twice the fuel and air than is necessary. The obvious end result was an engine backfire that blew the burst panels out and pitched the belt.
There were many people asking me why I didn’t try to pedal it and get it down the track since Tony was having his own problems but they didn’t realize I was helpless with no power available. Such is life. We live and learn from our experiences in life and we are wiser than when we showed up so it’s not all bad if you can walk away with more insight. Plus, it’s like a round of golf. It’s the one good shot that causes you to come back for more and that’s exactly what we plan on doing this weekend. So given some of the encouraging results we had in Kansas, I am looking forward to see what is next for us in Chicago.
Meanwhile, it was nice to be in Topeka which means I got the chance to see my former 2003 Top Alcohol Dragster World Championship winning teammates, Randy and Mary Meyer, and their daughters, Megan and Rachel, as well as Craig, Myron, Ted and Stacy. We had the opportunity to sit back Saturday evening and enjoy a beverage and reminisce about the good ol’ days.
Look forward to seeing the Vis Viva boys back in action this weekend and keep cheering us on. If I have said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. We are on the verge of a breakthrough and I believe this weekend could very well be the place for it to happen since I have enjoyed some success along with a few lucky breaks at this race in 2006. I can’t wait to get there. See ya soon.