I‘m sure it comes as no surprise that I am sitting in the “B” line for a Southwest Airlines flight heading out west. We have been on somewhat of a whirlwind schedule since the Toyo Nationals in Reading. Yes, to answer the many fans, it has sunk in. We won the race and joined the Mickey Thompson Six-Second club. HUGE :)

I plan on telling you what I’ve been doing for the last week however I have to apologize first. There was a fan that came up to me before the semi’s in Reading, asking me to make a choice between Army and Navy. Giving him a strange look, I stated “Marines” because my dad was a Marine. He smiled and held out a medal, and asked if I would wear it in the final round. He said it was okay that I chose Marines. Apologizing, I told him that I had learned my lesson over the past four years and did not wear any jewelry or accessories when I raced, but, if all worked out, I would take a picture with it in the winner’s circle. Well, all did go well and we did end up in the winner’s circle, however, I never did see that fan again. So, I’m very sorry to the kind gentleman that asked me for a favor.

I am now sitting in Las Vegas, again in the ‘B’ line for Southwest Airlines, waiting for my flight to Reno. After the finals last Sunday, we went over to the restaurant/bar across the street from the Maple Grove Raceway, to celebrate and watch the race on the big screen. We were there with Geno Scali and his team, and some fans. I believe it was the first time this year that I sat watched a televised NHRA race that the bikes participated in. That must have been a benefit of the rainout and television rescheduling of the event. I have to admit, it was pretty cool that the one race we were able to watch was a race we had won.

It was also pretty cool to have one of GEICO Motorcycle’s custom bike builders, “Big Rick,” attended the Reading event. He just happened to be heading home from a GEICO event on the East Coast and stopped by Maple Grove on Sunday. What a treat. He’s a great guy and appears to be busier than I am, so it was very special that he was able to come out share in the victory with us.

Tuesday, while the team was heading to Virginia Beach, I was catching a flight to Ohio for a three-day GE meeting. The word of our win and six-second pass had spread pretty quickly through the GE grapevine, so I opened my work email to many “congrats” and “good job” by co-workers. The three days in Ohio went by very quick, and before I knew it I was trying to catch a flight to Virginia. GEICO Motorcycle headquarters, located in Virginia Beach, was having a “Bikes for Tykes” charity event for the local children’s hospital. It was pretty impressive seeing all the teams’ rigs lined up together with the GEICO colors and, of course, the gecko mascot. GEICO Motorcycle sponsors riders in AMA Superbike and also has many custom builders they support. We (Geico Motorcycle NHRA team) had contributed many donations from NHRA racers that were more than happy to provide gifts for the auction. In total GEICO Motorcycle in Virginia Beach donated $41,000 to the children’s hospital, and they had not completed all the fund raising events yet. We have to give a big “Shout Out” to all the giving NHRA racers who donated. Thank you, you’re awesome.

Well, now I am heading back home where the temperature is about 70 degrees, the sky is blue and sunny, and there is no rain. Gary is driving the GECIO Motorcycle transporter west toward Las Vegas and hopefully will be home by Friday. So, for now, that is all.