This past weekend was just one run short of a perfect weekend for the Fram dragster and crew. A few test runs, good weather, great fans and a couple more points in the hopper, what more could you ask for? Somebody in the back of the room shouts out “A Wally!!” Okay, like I said, it was only one run short of magnificent and seeing  that only one Top Fuel team had a better weekend, we’ll take it!

The weekend started out with several of the DSR teams hitting the road headed to West Palm for testing sessions. As I mentioned in the last blog entry, each team is only allowed four testing days per season, so this was a big event for us. The Fram boys, along with Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, and the Connie Kalitta Funny Car team, unloaded our toys and hit the dragstrip to burn up some testing time.  As usual, my Fram boys busted their butts to get this monster down the track. You see how busy they get when we have a good weekend and have to make four runs don’t you? Well, imagine making six runs in one day! That’s what we did, six test runs in one day. The Fram team earned their money, and it was worth every penny.

The data that we collected enabled us to hit the ground running when we arrived in Gainesville so as you can plainly see, testing works! We qualified in the No. 3 position and that is the best place to be (other than No. 1 or No. 2!) going into eliminations on Sunday morning. Believe me when I say that I sleep much better when the Fram boys put the dragster in the No. 3 spot and I don’t have to be one in the first pair down the track. Even Tori sleeps better!  As you recall, we were No., 9 at the last race and the results were less than memorable. That night before we raced Doug Kalitta (he was No. 8 and we were No. 9) Tori was sitting in my lap after dinner and she looked at me and said, “No. 9, what are you, nuts?” I didn’t know that she was so aware! Bottom line, No.  was the result of the team doing their job and gathering data and using it properly to get the Fram dragster down the track. Way to go boys!

Racing in Florida is a good thing this time of year, but it is still warm and humid and that can wreak havoc on a Top Fuel dragster, and it did. BOOM, went the Fram dragster in rounds two and three! Once again, as Bob Frey would say, driver gets out of the car, faces Ocala, Fla., and thanks "Big Daddy" Don Garlits for the design of the rear-engine car. I have been asked what it feels like when the engine lets go a mere 12 inches behind my head; it feels like an ex-wife going up side your head with an iron frying pan; not that I would know, but that is a good way to explain it. Then there is the task of stopping a dragster with oil all over the rear tires; quite sporty I must say!

Rounds 2 and 3 were a bit unusual for us. It isn’t very often that the Fram dragster grenades an engine, and we went through a couple of them at the Gatornationals. In addition to that, can anybody remember the last time that they were in a pedaling contest with Tony Schumacher? See what I mean? We had an unusual race day, but it was worth it.

While going down the track, a driver can usually tell when the engine is going to go. There is a certain sound and feel that the engine is supposed to have and believe me, when it isn’t happy, that’s when the situation begins to change. When the tires start to spin, the G-forces aren’t as strong because the car isn’t being pushed forward as hard, then you pedal and the car starts to throw you around like a rag doll. If the tires hook back up, it slams you back in the seat, and if the tires don’t grab, the engine over-revs and that isn’t good. Suddenly, you get the frying pan to the back of the head again, not that I would know what that feels like...

In qualifying, obviously we would let off of the throttle, but when that kind of trouble happens during eliminations, in an effort to win, wide open throttle is usually how a nitro racer runs. When you keep the throttle open, even when it doesn’t sound right while trying to win a race, the risk of blowing it up is obviously there. But it is after all, race day, and most guys just don’t lift!

So the tires broke loose in round two against Tony; we weren’t the first team to have that trouble in the right lane. Then in round three, I knew that we had an ignition problem before we made the run. But like I said, it’s race day and you have to take a shot, and stay on it if you can. I did, and BOOM! Notice I didn’t say anything about the frying pan...bye bye power plant, thanks again "Big Daddy!"

In spite of the fireball in round three, we felt good about going into the final round. We had help from the entire DSR team. Guys from the all of the other teams pitched in and helped us get ready for the final round. Let me tell you, there is no feeling in the world like having the full compliment of DSR manpower in your corner. It was a total team effort and we felt very ready going into the final round. Not to take anything away from Larry Dixon, a formidable opponent to say the least, but the right lane bit us in the behind again (not that hard to do since it’s only three inches off of the ground). I pedaled twice before I realized that I wasn’t going to catch Larry Dixon, and my first trip to the finals at the Gators landed me in the runner up spot. It doesn’t get you a Wally, but we did get some points and moved from 9th to 6th place in the overall standings. Only one Top Fuel guy had a better day than we did. Good job Fram boys, and thank you to all of the DSR teams who helped us answer the call for the final.

Before this weekend I had never been to the finals at the Gatornationals and I am glad that I can no longer say that! I will be gunning for the coveted Wally next year in Gainesville. Good weather, fast cars, a great Fram and DSR team and magnificent fans and a significant bump upward in the points; what else (besides the Wally) could a driver ask for? Now it’s onward to Houston! More warm weather and fast cars; we’re ready! The Fram boys are packin’ up and hittin’ the road again and we are hungry. Come on by the FRAM pit and say hello! See you in the fast lane, it’s the one we choose!

By the way, has anyone seen Tori? Last time I saw her, she was playing with Cyrus...