Well, I hope that you had a Merry Christmas and I am looking forward to a Happy New Year for the new Fram Top Fuel dragster team! It’s hard to believe that in just a few short weeks (34 days as of the writing of this blog ...but who’s counting?) we will be firing up the first pair to kick off the 2009 Full Throttle season at the Winternationals in Pomona! There have been lots of changes to several of the teams and it is going to be interesting to see how things pan out. Rest assured, the Fram team is only thinking “Full speed ahead!”

We had a great Christmas. It is a bit rough trying to get used to the Midwest winter season as I came here from the west but as long as the furnace doesn’t break down, we will be okay! Debi’s brother, who lives up in Eagle, Wis., has informed me that they have had close to four feet (yes, I said FEET!) of snow during the month of December, and wind chills routinely dipping below zero. He tells me that it’s no big deal and says to just “Put on a hat before you go outside!” That goes to show you, somebody else always has it a little worse than you do! Excuse me, while I go and check my furnace...

This Christmas was especially nice as my daughter, Courtney, came from California to visit for a few days. It warmed my heart when she asked if she could extend her stay for a bit. I don’t think that she quite knows what to make of the cold weather here either, but she seems to have adapted to it fairly well. She had never been to the shop before, so I took her over to DSR and gave her the tour. I wonder what it feels like for a kid to see her Dad’s mug on the side of a huge 18-wheeled transport? I don’t think that impressed her nearly as much as eating a bowl of ice cream while having a pedicure with Debi. Women -- there are some things that we men will never understand!

Tori is growing like a weed and into everybody’s business like a healthy dog should be. Debi’s brother, Bill, captured a nice glamour shot of her while she was sitting in Courtney’s lap at our family get-together. She looks like a dog who thinks that she is “All that” doesn’t she? I can say one thing about her for sure, she’s not camera shy!

Speaking of cameras, you have to be careful when Debi’s brother is lurking around with his Nikon D-300. He snapped what I thought was to be a nice family-type shot of me, Debi, and her Mother on Christmas day. As you can see from the attached file, he took the photo and likened us to The Three Stooges! It kind of makes me wonder if he set that up. He claims that he didn’t and just thought of it after the fact — I wonder. You know what they say about payback!!

I also went out to California to see my Mom and Dad over the Christmas holiday. It’s always nice to see them. They, unlike me, are enjoying the California sunshine and wondering how people actually live in the Midwest. Like I said, a hat and a good furnace, in addition to some hot coffee and maybe even a pair of long johns and it makes it all even! (not really—come on Summer!!!)

Well, wherever you are, I wish you a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year on behalf myself and the entire Fram team. We appreciate all of the support, kind words and well-wishes from all of the fans. For all of you who yell “hello” in the pits, or stop by for a hero card and autograph, I want to say “Thank you!” Sometimes we are very busy and cannot drop what we are doing to come over and say hi, but just know that we appreciate every one of you and hope to see you all sometime during the upcoming 2009 season.

Now, let’s get ready to go Top Fuel Racin’!!!!!!!