Today is the last day before I leave for testing in Phoenix. Friday will be 11 weeks from my surgery date and I had some more physical therapy this morning. I sure feel better about my rehab then I did a week ago. I was nervous last week. PT Dave worked me hard and I was sore and there was some pain after our training sessions. We were both disappointed, but leaving physical therapy today it seems like everything is coming together.

I’m 15 pounds lighter then I was before my surgery. My knee doesn’t hurt. Instead of being nervous, now I’m ready to go. Dave could tell I’m in race mode. I have my confidence back and that’s critical. I can’t wait to fire up the CAT dragster this Friday. It's good to know the car is on the way. My guys left the shop in Brownsburg this morning.



I watched the playoffs last weekend and wasn’t really rooting for anyone. I guess I kind of was rooting for the Patriots. What they have is special and it reminded me of our season last year. We deserved to win the title and so do they. I’m tired of hearing about the ’72 Dolphins too. To me, they're a bunch of bitter, old men. Get over yourselves. The Patriots are a bad-ass football team. I know our buddy Jeff from Milton CAT in Massachusetts will be rooting hard next Sunday.



I was going for Brett Farve in the Packers/Giants game. He just seems like such a cool guy. We’re about the same age and I say you’re only as old as you feel. He’s proven that he’s as good as guys much younger then him. It just wasn't his day.

I’m not a big Giants fan, so I’ll be rooting for the Pats. I hope it’s a good game. It was an awesome game during the last weekend of the regular season from Giants Stadium, so hopefully we have another close game on Feb. 3. The Pats seem to win close Super Bowls, so I’m picking them on a late field goal.



I get into Phoenix tomorrow morning and will attend a CAT dealer meeting that afternoon with Antron. That should be fun. There’s an LA Fitness near our hotel in Chandler and Antron and PR Ted will join me at the gym. We’ll have a group of folks from a lot of different CAT dealers from across the country at the track on Friday and we’re excited to show them a good time at the track on Friday. For many of them, it will be their maiden voyage at the drag races. I hope Mother Nature cooperates.



I got an e-mail from Diane, who is the assistant to Michael Anthony, the former bassist of Van Halen. He’s a big race fan and will be hanging out at Pomona. I know Michael is buddies with Ron Capps and Larry Dixon, but we’re excited to have him visit the CAT pit at the Winternationals. Diane said she reads the blog so “Hi Diane!” She sent me some of Michael’s Mad Anthony Hot Sauce. You can find it online at: www.madanthonycafe.com.



That’s all for now. Hopefully we’ll see some of you guys at FIR this weekend.



Take care,
Hot Rod