Well it’s finally here, the first race of the season, the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals. We have worked long and hard over the winter to get ready for this season and I couldn’t be more excited. This last week we have been literally thrashing to get things ready for Gainesville. Between lettering the trailer, stocking my new trailer and testing, it has been so stressful, but hopefully this weekend it will all pay off.

We have been in Valdosta, Ga., for the last few days testing with the remainder of the Pro Stock Motorcycles and many other classes, as I am sure you all have seen on the internet. We got down there on Saturday and unloaded the bike to make our first run. Right out of the box it ran 6.950 at 189.47 mph. Needless to say, we were all blown away. That was the only motor I had at the time, so we just loaded it back in the trailer and never made another run. We definitely didn’t want to take a chance in hurting that motor.

I have a new guy on my team this year, his name is James and he is the son-in-law of Tommy Utt (Dave Connolly’s crew chief). Yes, that’s right John Utt’s (Amanda’s boyfriend) brother-in-law. So we basically just went through our routine time and time again. I showed him a lot of little tedious stuff that we will do at the racetrack to the bike, so that he would have a better understanding of it when we are at a race. After spending a few days in Valdosta, we loaded up and headed to Gainesville. We actually just now got done going through tech with the bike templates. It is a good thing we got here early because it takes a while to do all this, especially when there are a ton of other bikes here. Most of them probably won’t get here till tonight or tomorrow, so we’re glad we beat the crowd.

My whole family is coming down for the race this weekend. My dad, mom, both sisters, and my son will all be here later on this week. I will have plenty of help, but hopefully won’t need much of it. I am hoping to run well, just as I know many other teams out there are. It is definitely going to be tough this weekend, as it is every weekend. However since Gainesville is the first race for the bikes there is always a huge turnout, just about as many as Indy.

If you guys are in town this weekend, stop by and check us out! Hope you’re rooting for us.