We got to Bristol Wednesday afternoon. Actually, they dropped me off in Knoxville and I got a rental car there because I was flying out of Knoxville Monday morning. We stayed at one of my favorite hotels, The Carnegie. It has really nice workout facilities, so I made sure to ride the exercise bike often. On Thursday night, I went and had a massage. The gal had studied sports therapy in college and my knee felt great afterwards. It gave me a lot of confidence for the weekend.

Zak, from NHRA, took me to Knoxville for a media tour on Thursday for most of the day. We did two radio stations and three TV stations. It was just me, and it was neat to go into a market that’s very racing friendly. They love their Tennessee Vols and I didn’t want to let it be known that I was a Razorback since Arkansas is a rival of UT.



I was really impressed with the track at Bristol. I talked to my dad Friday morning and he had been down the track a few times in the sportsmen classes. He said the track was great and it was. Our first qualifying session amazed a lot of people. There was hardly any tire smoke and it set the tone for the weekend. The crowd on Friday blew me away, it was Standing Room Only. Bruton put on one heck of a fireworks show on Friday night. That was the second straight week we had a cool fireworks show to end Friday’s qualifying. We qualified fourth for the second time this year. That’s our lowest of the season and that’s not so bad now is it? Our average qualifying is 2.25!



We’re in a bit of a test mode and we’re trying some things to get ready for the Countdown. In order to do that, we have to try some new things. People think we’re struggling, were fine, but we’re just trying some things. I think that showed on Sunday until the semis. I keep on beating myself up about going out in the semis or losing in the semis, but we’re still No. 1 in the points and didn’t really lose any ground. I’d rather have a championship ring than a bunch of trophies on our shelf. Bob Vandergriff is a good friend of mine. I was really hoping he’d break through and win. It’s soon to come for them.



I got up early Monday morning and drove to Knoxville, flew to Charlotte, and then home to Vegas. It’s the first time I’ve been home in nearly three weeks. I’m going to get things in order before heading out on the road again. I’m off to get my hair cut. I fly into Denver Thursday afternoon. I look forward to seeing all you great fans on the Western Swing.



Take care,

Hot Rod