Well NHRA race fans, it’s another good week of racing in the books and the Fram Tough Guard dragster and team charges onward. We left St. Louis with another first-round victory and a close race in round two against the always tough, Antron Brown. We are still No. 4 in the points and the top 10 race it as tight as ever. My Tough Guard team is hungry and really beginning to gel. It is going to be a great season!

This was the first time in all my years of racing that I squared off against Chris “The Golden Greek” Karamesines. He took a shot at the tree and fouled out, but you have to hand it to a guy who has been around for as long as he has. He shows up, qualifies, and goes for it on race day. It was an awesome thing to be able to race against him. Only drag racing fans who have been around for a very long time know this; back in the 70s, he had white dragster called “The Chizler” and later campaigned a gold-plated dragster that regularly appeared at U.S. 30 drag strip in Merrillville, Ind. I’d better stop there; I’m starting to sound like a fossil!

We lost a very close one in the second round to Antron . I cut a .052 to his .056 light so were virtually even off of the line. It was a good race – would have been better if we had crossed the line first but it was a good run anyway. There seems to be a trend lately – when we get beat, it is usually by the event winner. Don’t bet on it happening every week, but the trend has been noticed.

Next, we head for Thunder Valley Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. If you have never been there before, you have to see it. It is one of the most beautiful dragstrips you will ever see. The people are very nice there too. It’s that “southern thing” again! I am still saying “y'all” from Atlanta, so I will fit right in with the folks who live there in Tennessee. It’ll be good to see ya’ll again! How did that sound? Anyway, if you show up at the track, stop by the Fram Tough Guard pit and say hello.

Bristol is the scene of one of my best victories as well as my worst crash. Come on, you guys were thinking about my Fram Boost dragster breaking in half back in 2006 weren’t you? Some of you also remember the “Nitro final” back in 1999 when funny cars and top fuelers raced against each other. I got past Ron Capps in the final that year. You wouldn’t believe how many people meet me for the first time and say “Hey, I saw your crash!” That one has earned a permanent spot in the highlight reels. Don’t look for an encore, I intend to keep it glued to the track. How about a winner’s circle hoe-down! (Is that how you spell hoe-down?) I think that’s the name for a southern party! Spoken like a true Yankee!

Tori the Top Fuel dog has been doing fairly well. She was fixed a couple of weeks ago. I had that done because I don’t want to be a grandfather. She is healing and will be back at the races very soon. Remind me to tell you about her and her buddy “Cyrus.” He is the new neighborhood puppy stud, or at least he thinks he is. More on him later.

Oh, before I forget to tell you, the drivers are participating in another Children’s Charity Event before the race next week. We will be golfing for dollars! The proceeds go to help kids with all kinds of problems. I was pretty excited when I found out that it was a golf outing. I am a pretty good golfer actually. The last time we did one of these, I shot a 68! Not bad huh? Are you surprised? No kidding, I shot a 68, then we went to the second hole...

By the way, I’ll bet that you thought that I had forgotten; I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the Mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day! I have always said that I have spent the best times of my life, in the arms of another man’s wife–my mother! Happy Mother’s Day to you Mom! I love you with all of my heart, you are the best! Here’s a flower for all of you who put up with everything that we put you through over a lifetime. God bless every one of you.

On that note, it’s time to start thinking about getting the motor coach ready for the trip south. After a nice Mother’s Day celebration with my Mom, it will be time to get back to business. So the Fram Tough Guard boys are itchin’ for their first Wally and Bristol would be a great place to do it. You know the tagline...

See you in the fast lane, it’s the one we choose!