The ACDelco NHRA Las Vegas Nationals are behind us. It was a rough weekend for the Geico Motorcycle Suzuki and for my family, too. The track was “tricky” and couple that with a few (three) motor swaps and we found ourselves struggling to get down the track competitively. Then you have the large amount of red-lights; 11 out of 15 races for Pro Stock Motorcycle, to be exact. I wont go there, but let’s just say that those statistics together with the volume of red-lights in the sportsmen class should drive some questions.

Las Vegas, as you all know, has never been a very lucky track for us. Some would argue that it is very lucky, considering the successful outcome of my accident last year, but let’s just say that traumatic events happen there for my family. This year was no different.

We hired a nurse to stay with Grandma (who celebrated her 99th birthday on the Sunday of the race) so Mom and Dad could go to the race together. My mom’s brother and wife were also traveling from Wisconsin to Las Vegas to see the race. The siblings and in-laws had not seen each other in over 20 years, so this was going to be a nice visit with them also. My sister, whom, after last year’s activities, I had to convince to come back to Las Vegas for the event, arrived Thursday evening with my best friend Dee Dee. Friday morning, all was going well, and as me and the team worked and qualified, my family and friends all visited with each other.

Saturday morning was a little different, in the fact that we all noted my dad looked a little uncomfortable and reserved. Well, sure enough, Saturday dad left the Speedway in an ambulance headed for, you guessed it, UMC. The same hospital I was in for nine days last year. Freaky, huh! It was almost a year to the day of my arrival. Dad arrived there with an 85 percent blockage in one of his arteries, and left four days later with a great report on the strength of his heart muscle and a stent in place to keep the blood moving.

My sister and mom spent Saturday and Sunday with dad in the hospital, and Gary and I arrived after the race on Sunday. Dad’s procedures were on Monday and he was released on Tuesday. Once again, all the doctors and nurses were wonderful at UMC and Dad is doing great.

During his stay. my Dad was very concerned that Gary and I would be distracted from our job last weekend, while he was in the hospital. It was definitely on our minds, but, we were very content that dad was in the best hands and actually better off here, in UMC, then alone at home. It all worked out well and dad is doing great.

I wish I could figure out why we gravitate to the hospital each year when we come to the Las Vegas event but, until I understand it, I think we will suggest some changes to my family. I have asked my sister and my mom, after spending the last two AC Delco Nationals, at the hospital, to not attend next year. They were more than happy to plan on staying home and listening to the real time action, from the computer. As for the team, next year the plan is to conquer the Las Vegas track and leave there with “Wally.”

That’s it for now.