I’m back in Michigan now and everyone is back at the shop today. It’s nice to be here, even though we have single-digit temps outside and a thick layer of snow on the ground. I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

I was in California for about 11 days. I do not miss the horrendously high gas prices that about made me faint when I arrived. I do miss my family now that I’m gone, but I wish we all would have gotten along better. There were definitely a couple of little family feuds. It’s too bad because we don’t see each other very often but I guess every family has disputes.

During one of our non-arguing times, my dad, my sister Kim, my grandma, Marge, and I got together for calm and quiet evening. My dad is in the process of building a bar in his house. It’s really cool and it’s turning out to be a good place for our family to get together. It’s kind of an escape from our busy lives where we stop and talk to each other. We talked about some good times, some tough times, and we straightened out some misunderstandings.

The bar is somewhat representative of a time of the past. My dad built it with some of the money he got from the sale of his Top Alcohol Dragster. It was the Santos-built, Bucky Austin-tuned dragster that I drove for a year and a half before I was hired to drive Ken Black’s Top Fuel dragster. We had some great times, some tough times, and some very successful times working together as a family team. I know it was really difficult for my dad to part with car. It’s been an adjustment for us because racing was once something we did for a hobby as a family, and now it’s my career. My dad’s racing days definitely aren’t over though. He races sometimes and I’m sure my younger siblings will get more into it. He goes to races more towards the West Coast and can often be found in uniform at the starting line when I race and when top alcohol runs. When it’s finished, his bar will be full of racing memorabilia and everyone will be able to get together and watch racing on TV with surround sound.

We used to always get a big group together and watch the races on TV at Big Louie’s Pizza in Eureka. I remember one time back in 2005 we all went there to watch the Winternationals on TV. It was the race where we went to our first final in Top Alcohol Dragster. The Sportsman coverage comes on ESPN2 a week after the race so we got to watch it with all our friends and family while we ate some good pizza. Harold, who owns the place, saw us and became an immediate fan and supporter. He has been a huge supporter ever since. He also does a lot for the local track, Samoa Dragstrip. I stopped by Big Louie’s while I was in Eureka. I thanked him for the continual support and we talked about things we can do in 2008 to help promote Samoa Dragstrip and the local racers.

I didn’t make any “New Years” resolutions per se. I make resolutions all year long because I am definitely a work in progress. I am always trying to improve myself and become a better person. A couple of weeks ago, I resolved to keep track of my finances a little better. I was prompted do this when somebody with a funny accent called my cell phone and demanded I give him money right away. Oops, missed that credit card payment again. I used to make a living as a financial analyst, but when it comes to my own finances I’m not very smart about it. There are lots of instances of this, but I don’t want to embarrass myself. I guess I’m frugal with my money to the point of not paying my bills. I’ve been better over the last couple of weeks so hopefully I can keep it up through 2008 and beyond.

I’m actually really glad 2K7 is over. It was a very trying year in a lot of ways in both my professional and personal life. My little sister says on her MySpace page that even years are better than odd years; I’m hoping for a great 2008. I’m sure it will be full of ups and downs but as always, I will try to keep a positive outlook about everything. More than anything, I can’t wait to get back in my dragster. You will be along for the ride as I share “most” of everything that goes on. I hope you all have a great year!