Hi, everyone

We just finished up the race in Houston, and it seemed to be a tricky track. The right lane was especially hard to get down. It has two big bumps in it, and they are really hard to get over. It tries to unload the tires on you and push you out of the groove.

In the left lane, it was a lot better, but during qualifying, the wind was so bad that it really pushed the car around. You really had to be on top of it to keep it in the groove, but, all in all, the left lane was way better.

You know how I have been saying to be humble in this sport. Sometimes you can be on top of the world and the next time you can't find your way. We had a little taste of that this weekend with a parts failure with the fuel pump. There are so many variables on these cars sometimes it's hard to pinpoint.

Even though we had some problems this weekend, I have a lot of confidence in Tommy DeLago that he will find the problem and fix it. He told me before I left the track that they were going to take every thing off the race car, take it apart, and go through everything. I don't have a doubt in my mind that Tommy will have a top-running car under me by Vegas.

All the guys are working great together and getting along well. I have not been around this sport long, but I think that is the key to winning. Everyone has to work well with each other. I think we have that, and I know that winning will come. I am very confident that we will get this Shelor.com car in the winner's circle before the year's up and hopefully more than once.

I want to say congrats to Jack Beckman for a final finish. Those guys are really coming on strong. I would also like to say thanks to Ace [Ed McCulloch], Ron [Capps], and all the NAPA crew. Without them we would have never made the second round. Those guys are great and always willing to lend a hand, and that's what is so great about the DSR organization. Everyone helps out!

We're in Las Vegas this weekend. It's a little hectic to have back-to-back events like this, but it's also great to get right back in the car and try to keep the energy flowing. I haven't raced at The Strip, but that is where I got my Pro nitro license, so I'm looking forward to returning for a national event.

See you soon,
Matt Hagan