Hi everyone, Toni here again. The last few weeks have been extremely busy starting with the Vegas race, our sponsorship announcement, the SEMA show, the Pomona race, the NHRA awards banquet, and finally a flight home (at least for me). Jim is currently making his last coast-to-coast trip home in the rig for the 2007 season. The last time I heard from him he was in Oklahoma, and I am sure that he has every mile calculated and has every stop planned down to the minute. His goal is to be home by Thursday evening as he has to leave on Saturday for his trip to Germany to visit the troops and it looks like he is right on schedule. I'll tell you a little more about that later.

Well, by now I am sure that everyone has read the wonderful news about our full year sponsorship with Wiley X Eyewear for 2008. (Just in case you haven't you can still read the press release on either www.jimyates.com or www.nhra.com). How exciting is this? I can't tell you how awesome it is to be able to continue our relationship with the Wiley X family. They have so many new and exciting ideas for next year that we can't wait to get started. Myles Freeman (Wiley X VP of Sales) came to Pomona this past weekend and was not disappointed in our last NHRA event of the season. Warm weather, record crowds, and plenty of Countdown excitement made for a pretty awesome weekend. I think Myles had an entire notebook filled with new ideas for next year and as things start to unfold we will be sure to share them with you.

Prior to the Vegas race, Jim had the opportunity to participate in the Freemont Street Fan Experience in Las Vegas. It was held on Thursday evening prior to the race right under the Freemont Street canopy and I don't think I have ever seen so many people at an NHRA promotional event. There were literally thousands of fans, a record number of drivers giving autographs, and an incredible NHRA light show. Talk about an exciting night. Jim's older brother John was even there. Ironically, he was in town for a business trip and decided to come and join us for the fun. Afterwards we all went to dinner and laughed at the fact we only live an hour from each other and had to come all the way to Vegas to get together for a dinner. What is wrong with this picture?

As I mentioned before, Jim is leaving Saturday afternoon for his annual trip with GM to visit the troops in Germany. Warren Johnson, Cory Mac, Tommy Johnson, and Melanie Troxel along with Fred Simmonds and Jeff Romack from GM will join him. They are scheduled to visit Ramstein AFB and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center again, but I heard Fred Simmonds promise they were going to be visiting some additional places this year as well. I know this will once again be the highlight of Jim's year and he can't wait to go. He loves doing any kind of activity that supports our U.S. military both at home and abroad.

Because Wiley X provides most of the eyewear to our troops, we have had the opportunity to hear some of the incredible stories from the men and women serving in the Middle East. Believe me, every person has a different story to tell and each one touches your heart.

Well, I guess I best stop writing and get this blog on its way. Jim will be taking lots of pictures in Germany to share with everyone so you will have to check back to catch up on his exciting trip. Thanks for all of your support and kind words during this past racing season. We are so very exciting about next year and plan on sharing all of our new developments with you as they happen. Thanks for checking in!

Toni