Okay, I know I have been very very bad about updating my blog. Seems that every time I sit down to put a few words and thoughts on paper, someone or something redirects me. I have actually attempted it four times in the last month (about once a week).

Last attempt was on our way from St. Louis, where we tested before Memphis. Yes, we tested! I know it may not show, but it was actually a very important test session. We would have preformed even worse in Memphis if we had not tested before there.

You know sometimes how you feel if it weren’t for bad luck you would have no luck at all? We’ll that is how we’ve been feeling for the last couple of months. We have broken things so bad that one situation is still be diagnosed as to what is wrong. No one knows or can figure it out. It really shouldn’t be that hard, but it is in this case.

In truth, I actually feel our luck is changing. I also feel that we control our own luck and destiny; so I am on a mission to Turn Things Around. The last two test sessions were the start. We tested again after Memphis and, although we couldn’t run what the “Big V” motors were running, we were happy with the performance.

We are now in Dallas. I have never been to that racetrack before. Gary actually raced here about 20 years ago. We drove from California to Dallas with Rick Ball. For those of you who are motorcycle drag racing enthusiasts, Rick raced a Funny Bike in ProStar events. Gary raced his Pro Gas bracket bike. I really can’t remember how either one did. The thing I do remember, is coming from the West Coast to a ProStar race, we were in shock as to how many participants were in each category. I believe the Pro Gas Class had over 200 entrants. I think I remember bracket racing once with about 60. Big difference.

Rick has since retired and Gary, well, he retired his bike racing days and now sticks to his bracket cars. I do remember him telling me about a big bump at the end of the quarter-mile here. I am sure it is no bigger than the one at Maple Grove, that they show on ESPN2 each year, but I guess I will find out for myself.

With the additional testing we have been doing, I have been staying with the team on the road. In Indianapolis, we were at our property, along with my parents, and Frank our friend and photographer. Part way through the week after Indy, Debbie, our team owner, and her friend Kim, along with two other friends, packed up and went on a European vacation.

They were over trekking around Europe for 12 days. This is the second trip for Debbie, and Kim, actually lived there for some time, so they were well prepared as to where they were going to go and what they were going to do.

We picked them up from the Dallas Airport last night after a 14-hour flight and, they were both happy to be back at the races for some RELAXATION after their busy vacation. We had an autograph signing and a meet and greet with the fans at Speed Zone in downtown Dallas, right next to the airport, so it worked out well to pick them up.

The Speed Zone session was a ton of fun. Brandon Bernstein, Steve Johnson and myself had the opportunity to race the Top Eliminator Dragsters against the three fans who won a contest to race us. Steve and I had never raced them before, so Brandon was nice enough to give some pointers. They were great pointers because I was able to win two of the three races, and Steve won the other one. Thanks Brandon, you’re a great teacher.

I also had another lesson taught to me by a member of the Top Fuel class recently. Every year, Memphis Motorsports Park hosts a Fan Fest on historical Beale Street. This year was no different as it was held at Coyote Ugly. There was a large group of drivers signing autographs while the fans lined up around the corner.

What exactly did I learn at an autograph signing session at a bar on Beale Street? Well, the fans starting to chant some of our names (with the coaching of some other male Pro Stock Motorcycle racers) to come up on the bar and dance with the employees. So being good sports Hillary Will, Peggy Llewellyn, and myself jumped up on the bar and danced away to the cheers of the crowd. Hillary was the teacher here as she is a great dancer!