It’s been a while since I have written a blog and I have been getting a hard time from everyone so I thought I had better get an update out.

This offseason has been way too dramatic for me and my wife. First it was me without a ride only to get a great opportunity with Kenny Bernstein and then Melanie’s future up in the air a week or so ago. Now we are both gearing up for the upcoming season with bright futures. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get going.

Ever since Christmas and New Year’s I have been full speed trying to get everything done before we leave for testing. New firesuits, helmets, seats, and everything that goes with joining a new team. My guys have put in a lot of hours at the shop working on updates to the chassis and preparing everything for this coming season. I’ve been at the shop everyday working with them and getting acquainted.

Melanie’s team was full speed ahead, too, until the surprise announcement that they will not have Torco backing this season. It was a panic for a couple of days, but Mike Ashley and Roger Burgess put things at a calm with their announcement -- at least for the worries -- but now her team is in a mad thrash to get things done and changed over before testing.

Melanie and I are in Orlando for the Mac Tools Fair this weekend. I spent all week making sure I had everything done before we left because when we get home Sunday my rig will already be headed to Phoenix for testing. Melanie and I are flying to Vegas on Tuesday to pick up the motorhome and drive to Phoenix. I have a Monster photo shoot to do on Wednesday and then the testing begins. Mel’s team hopes to leave by Tuesday. I stopped by her shop a couple of times this week and they have a lot of work left so hopefully they will make it on time. As far as the Monster team goes we are just about ready to hit the road when I left the shop yesterday. They guys were even practicing a service to time their selves and get some of the new guys some practice before we get to Phoenix.

I’ll try and give you a quick update next week and I promise to keep you filled in on how testing is going. As a driver in testing we usually have some free time on our hands because testing can be slow going sometimes.

Until then,

TJ