I’ve been a little lax in my blog updates but that is what happens when you don’t have PR Ted bugging you everyday to do a blog update. It was a lot easier to dictate to him what was going on and have him punch out the letters on the computer. I have to be in a writing mood to get it done and that isn’t very often for me. I’m more of a talker than a writer.

I’ll fill you in on my pre-Gainesville experience. Last year when Melanie and I went to the ESPYs we met Aaron Rowand who plays center field for the Phillies. He and I hit it off and have stayed in contact ever since. I checked his spring training schedule and noticed they had an evening game on Thursday that we were in Gainesville. I got a hold of him and told him that I was coming to Clearwater to watch him play. He told me, “No you’re not. You’re coming to hang out with me and the team and do batting practice and take the field with us.” How could I pass up an opportunity like this? Melanie wasn’t able to go with me. She inducted Darrell Zimmerman into the Drag Racing Hall of Fame on Thursday night. I left Gainesville Thursday afternoon and headed to Clearwater to see if I could still hit a baseball. Aaron had it all set when I got there. I pulled into the player’s parking lot and took my spot. He met me outside the clubhouse and said “Let’s go.” We made our way in and he introduced me to several players as we made our way to the locker room.

When we got to his locker he pulled out a Phillies jersey that they made for me with my name on it and his number. He loaned me his uniform pants socks and shoes and after a quick change I was in full MLB uniform and ready to take the field. He introduced me to all the players and coaching staff and showed me their facility. By the way, Chase Utley who plays second base, takes his Mustang out to Gainesville from time to time and races. He told me he has run as quick as 10.20s and is hoping to get it in the nines. Matter of fact, several of the players are car guys. Aaron and several of them are going to come out to see us in Vegas this coming October.

When the players took the field for pre-game practice I was able to join them. You should have seen the fans looking at me trying to figure out who I was and what position I played. I had a good laugh looking at them checking the programs to try and figure out who I was. Aaron and I played catch to warm up then it was time for the players to do batting practice. Jeff Geary, a Phillies pitcher, grabbed me and we headed out to the outfield. As the guys hit in batting practice I was in the outfield catching balls. Okay, so I caught a few, but I have to admit several got over my head. I have a new appreciation for how fast those guys in the outfield can close on a ball. My big highlight in the outfield was that I caught a fly ball in centerfield from Ryan Howard. He only led baseball last year in home runs and I was able to catch one that didn’t make it out of the park. After Aaron got done hitting he joined us in the outfield where he taught me about being a centerfielder. I was really impressed at how well he could judge where a ball was going as soon as it was hit. He could tell exactly where it would land. I guess that is why he plays centerfield and I don’t. I can tell him what tire shake is all about.

Practice ran a little long and it was time for the other teams batting practice so I didn’t get to hit on the field with them. That’s probably okay, but they took me to their batting cage and gave me a workout. The guys where impressed that I made contact. I got to hit 50 or so balls with the guys in the batting cage. After we where done Aaron gave me his bat that he let me use. It will make its way into my trophy cabinet at home. As the game was getting ready to start I got changed and headed up to the stands. I sat with Aaron’s wife Marrie Ann, his kids and his mom. After a great day already only one thing could have made it better. In the seventh inning Aaron hit a home run. After the game we caught up with him and said our good byes. I had to get back on the road to Gainesville and didn’t get back to the track that night until almost one Friday morning. It was an experience I will never forget.

Now onto the race. Well I guess that is enough said about the race. It wasn’t the best weekend for us. We struggled through qualifying and didn’t get into the show until our final run on Saturday. I can’t tell you how stressful that can be and I hope we don’t get in that situation again this year. We had several people from Corporate UST at Gainesville on Saturday and that made it even more stressful. The last thing you want is to not qualify and you really don’t want to not qualify when your sponsor is attending the race. It all worked out and we got in. Sunday didn’t go so well and we where out first round again.

Our team is determined to find out what is plaguing our car right now and we stayed to test on Monday. As all of you know Monday testing was a somber day. Our friend Eric Medlen needs everyone’s prayers and our thoughts are with him and his family. It is something like this that really gives you a wake up call. Sometimes we take what we do for granted and you forget the danger side of it. I can tell you that I pulled the belts a little tighter on my second run Monday.

We didn’t get the results we where looking for so we loaded the rigs up and headed to Valdosta, Ga., to do more testing on Tuesday. We made some radical changes to our car today and got some more favorable results. The guys are really busting their tails and working hard. We all want to win and will do whatever it takes to do that. I’m sure they would all like some time off, but we are going to stay here and test again tomorrow.

There is a circle track right next to the dragstrip here in Valdosta, and today while myself and Jack Beckman were testing, Kasey Kahne was next door testing his car of tomorrow. As Jack and I where getting ready to make a pass Kasey and his guys came walking up to the starting line. My guys about died laughing at Kasey when Jack hit the throttle. Kasey jumped and ran back about four or five feet. Melanie and I went over and talked to him for a little while latter and he said TV doesn’t do our sport any justice. He couldn’t believe the power.

Melanie and I are hanging out in the motorhome tonight watching American Idol. We were going to be home tonight, but I can’t think of a better place to be than at a racetrack anyway. If things go well tomorrow we should get home Thursday night. We are going to the Supercross race in Indy Saturday night. I’ll try and keep you updated better.