I’m really glad I decided to go to Maple Grove this passed weekend for the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in Pennsylvania. It’s really cool just being there, seeing everyone and interacting with my fans. I was at the track from Thursday to Monday and enjoyed every second.
I’m really thankful that my I have a pass that allows me to stand really, really close to the starting line. I took a picture when Ashley Force was running to show you the view that I had. I stood there pretty much all day on race day except during second round when I did some announcing with Bob Frey. I watch most of qualifying from there, too. Sometimes I go to the other side to change it up a little. I watched the Pro classes as well as Top Alcohol and some other Sportsman classes. I love to get as close as I possibly can to the starting line. It’s the best seat in the house. I love how it smells. I love the smoke getting in my eyes. The ground underneath me shakes my whole body. I can almost feel like I’m in the driver’s seat. It’s sort of like torture because I want to be in the driver’s seat so bad, but I just keep reminding myself that I will be back.
It actually helps me to stand there because I watch the Christmas Tree come down, and I practice my reaction times. With every pair that goes down the track, I visualize as if I’m actually leaving the starting line in my car. Also I like to watch the people on the teams and their reactions after a win or a loss. There’s a lot of raw emotion from people who don’t generally show any.
One of my favorite parts of the weekend was hanging out with my teammates from 2006, ’07, and ’08. I went out to the track on Thursday after I flew into Philly, and the guys were just finishing with set up. They were going to dinner at Santino’s in Reading for some Italian food and asked me to go along. It was like old times hanging out with them on the road again. We used to always go out either on Thursday nights before the race or Sunday night after the race. In the picture is Troy, Chris (Beaker), Mac, Trucker Mike, and Tom. Those guys became like my brothers. We went through a lot in those three years, and I know they were really skeptical about me when I first came on the team. We all stuck together through my rookie ups and downs in ’06, the crash in the beginning of ’07 followed by a very disappointing season, but then we came back really strong in 2008. We had a lot of post-race pity parties in 2007 and a lot of post-race celebrations in 2008. I think it takes a special sort of group to pull together and stay determined to win like we did. We went from finishing 13th in 2007 to finishing 4th in 2008. We even capped off the season with a win in Australia. Needless to say, we always have a lot of good memories to talk about. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those guys. They are very hard working and extremely dedicated to what they do and just all around cool people. It was great hanging out with Troy, Beaker, Mac, Trucker Mike, and Tom and talking about all the “remember when’s.” There’s a few from that team who weren’t there and missing from the picture like Jim O., Scott, Dewey, and Jerry.
It was also great seeing some my very loyal fans again. They are so encouraging. I’m so very thankful for their support. Lindsey was at the track on Saturday, and we got to catch up. I also got to see Donny, Kim, and Nyck for the second time this year. I saw them in Englishtown. I have to say hello to Danny and thanks for the support!
It’s a big week for my family. My brothers Austin and Kevin turn 16 tomorrow. I can’t believe it. Of course they have appointments with the DMV to get their driver’s license tomorrow, too. I’m sure they will do fine. When Austin was here visiting for the Norwalk race, he drove us to and from the track everyday, and he’s a really good driver. Kevin and Austin started school Monday and are sophomores now. My sister, Jessica, just started her senior year. She will turn 18 a week from today. That’s so crazy. I miss them and wish I could have been there for Jessica’s last first day of school. I wish I could be there when the boys get their licenses, when they turn 16, and when Jessica turns 18. I hope they have a great week, and I’m definitely thinking of them. I’m sure we will all see each other at a race soon.
Anyway, I hope you all have a good week, too. I will be busy continuing my sponsor search, of course. My weekend at Maple Grove gave me extra motivation. I want to drive MORE THAN EVER. Then I’ll leave for Indy a week from today. Talk to you again soon.