I’m happy to welcome a new teammate onto our team. I’m excited that Jeff Arend will be driving the DHL Funny Car. I don’t actually know Jeff that well, but I have talked with his wife, Windy, and daughter, Jenna, a lot. They went to a few races last year, and Jenna would bring me pictures that she drew, especially for me. Last year at Indy, she came by and sat in my dragster. We never would have guessed then that the following year at Indy we would be teammates. I’m glad Jeff, Windy, and Jenna are a part of Kalitta Motorsports.
The other thing that’s in the drag racing news right now is the new golf cart rule. I think my family will be a little disappointed about it. Once a year, my uncle, Bob, gets to bring his cherished golf cart to the races. He uses it to cart around all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and this year even my grandma at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. A few years ago, he painted it to match our Top Alcohol Dragster. He’s added all the latest decals. He shines it up so it always looks really nice. Bob even drives it in the local parade in Fortuna, Calif., every year. We are all disappointed that he won’t be able to bring it to my races anymore. I’m sure they will find other good uses for it, but we will miss it. I took picture of Bob in the golf cart at Sonoma with my cousin Trenton.
After the Sonoma race, I flew back to Michigan. When I got home, I found that I had two new additions at my house. Choosing to live with me was probably a mistake, but a mama bird built a nest in my dead plant that hangs on my balcony. She laid eggs and sat on them for weeks. I watered around her, but I couldn’t revive the plant. (I can’t even keep a cactus alive.) It must be a good place for the nest because the eggs hatched, and I had two baby birds upon my return last week. Thankfully, I’m not responsible for caring for them; they may actually have a chance of survival. They are such pretty birds … pretty ugly that is.
It was nice to spend a weekend at home. I went for a couple really long runs. I love running outside in the summer when the sun is shining. I just got a new pair of Nikes. It’s amazing what a difference a new pair of shoes will make. I tend to overuse mine, and now, these new ones are like pillows to my feet.
On Friday night and Saturday, I went to a Beth Moore telecast at my church, Keystone Community in Saline. The telecast was broadcast live from Kentucky to 715 different locations and apparently in front of 70,000 people. I’m really glad I went. Beth Moore gave a very inspiring talk, and I’m really glad I went.
Other than that, I didn’t do a whole lot over the weekend. I didn’t mop my floor like I had planned. I kept myself out of H&M. I spent too much money at my favorite grocery store, Whole Foods. I finished my third James Patterson book. He is a popular writer with a lot of people here at Kalitta Motorsports. A lot of us are hooked on his mysteries. Once you start reading them, you can’t put them down. They are great for plane rides because they make the time pass really fast.
This week, the only reading I’m doing is about the upcoming Olympics. I am a fanatic when it comes to the Olympics. I will be glued to the TV for a lot of the events. My DVR will definitely be doing a lot of recording while I’m gone. I always have to read about the athletes before I watch so I know who to root for.
I hope you will root for our team this weekend in Brainerd. This will be my fourth time attending this race, and I have not won a round there yet. If we win this Sunday, it will be one round for each time I’ve been there which will help to make up for some lost time or times. Wish us luck!