It all started on Wednesday. I left around 2 a.m. for the airport in Charlotte. After a long flight to Ontario I finally made it to California that afternoon. We got things set up at the track and were ready for qualifying to commence on Thursday. Well, we thought we were ready.

Not only are the last few racing days of the year the longest days, but this past weekend they were the most stressful days as well. Thursday’s qualifying session was not very good for me. The bike didn’t run at all. Needless to say we were not even close to qualifying on Thursday. We couldn’t really pinpoint the problem so we changed motors in hopes that a motor swap would help us out.

Come Friday we were looking to make progress and with the conditions being the same as they were the day before, we were confident we would be fine. Little did we know the bike would actually run slower than the day before. So there we were again, stumped as to what the problem may be. Our front-half numbers looked good but once the bike got to the eighth-mile it would just go downhill from there. With everything looking somewhat decent on the graph we would once again change motors, in hopes that this would be the problem. Not only were the motors failing me, but the rear tire was as well. I had huge chunks of my rubber coming off my tire after each pass. However I couldn’t take any chances of putting on a new tire since we were still not qualified, so I just had to run with it.

Going into the last qualifying day of the last race not qualified, and not to mention it was my birthday was extremely disappointing for not only me but my team as well. I had always qualified while riding this bike and I didn’t want to stop now. I was also in a battle for fifth in the points. So needless to say I needed my birthday wish to come true.

We ended up making a semi-decent pass, but the bike still just would not run after the eighth-mile. We managed to squeeze into the No. 14 spot during the morning session on Saturday. With conditions around the same during the afternoon session, we were crossing our fingers to stay in the show. Thank God we did! My wish was granted. The bike wasn’t running good, but as long as I was above the dotted line going into race day I was happy.

I also got another birthday surprise that day. After qualifying was over, my two sisters gathered the whole motorcycle class and threw me a surprise party. I was shocked! I came around the corner of the trailer and there they all were singing Happy Birthday to me! Thank goodness I qualified because that would have been weird. I was even lucky enough to have Angelle serving my birthday cake to guests. I told her after I blew out my candles that my wish was to beat her the next day.

Well I guess that birthday wish came true also. I had Angelle first round and was able to beat her off the starting line and hold her off for the holeshot win. The bike improved dramatically so we were pumped. Going into round two I had GT. I cut another great light and had another decent run. However that would all change in the semi’s. I did manage another good light, but the bike just would not run. Making it to the semi’s was better than I could have asked for this past weekend though. I mean, after all a few days ago I wasn’t even qualified.

I ended up finishing fifth for the year and couldn’t be more pleased. Next year we will be able to make a run for the championship and I can’t wait. I have a ton of pictures from the Worsham’s margarita party and the banquet so check back in for more info on those. See ya!