Well, Indy is finally over, the Countdown to 1 is complete and as they say, the rest is history. To say that our weekend was just a bit disappointing is an understatement, however, I am the world's biggest optimist and I know that with some more hard work and just a little bit of luck going our way, we should complete our 2008 season with a strong finish. Richard Maskin and all the guys at Dart are working around the clock to fix our engine woes as well as pick up some more horsepower and after talking to Richard today, I am excited about going to Charlotte next week.

Though we didn't get to race the Sunglass Machine on Monday, our weekend wasn't all bad. Hey, I did get to announce eliminations with Bob Frey and that is always a good time. No offense Bob, but I would much rather you do the announcing yourself from now on! Anyway, our Wiley X team had a lot of exciting things going on in and around our pits all weekend. I started my weekend by visiting the Riley Children's Hospital with several other drivers and what a great time we had. It is so much fun to sit and talk to the kids and their parents and help them forget why they are there, at least for a little while.  We signed autographs, took pictures of those that wanted them, Pontiac gave out goodie bags filled with lots of cool stuff and we enjoyed putting smiles on all those little faces.

Well, that was the highlight of my Thursday but I still had lots to look forward to, other than making five qualifying runs. This past weekend was our opportunity to host a "Day at the Races" for 50 Wiley X customers and dignitaries from all over the country. Everyone arrived on Friday and Melissa had arranged for all of us to attend a customer appreciation dinner held at Champions Sports Bar at the Indy downtown Marriott on Friday night. Besides all of the customers in attendance, Wiley X had arranged for a few very distinguished guests to be present. This was really a special treat for everyone.

In attendance was James "Maggie" Megellas, a 91-year old World War II veteran who is the most decorated officer in the history of the US Army's 82^nd Airborne Division. He was awarded more than 20 medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts and Master Parachutist. He will soon receive the Medal of Honor for acts of valor on January 28, 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. All I can say is WOW!!

Accompanying him was his wife and two other very distinguished gentlemen; SGT George Perez and SGM Colin Rich. SGT Perez has a prosthetic leg as a result of an IED injury in Iraq but is still an active elite parachutist. SGM Rich is now retired but had been serving his country even after a gunshot injury to the head in Afghanistan which had left his sight impaired.

All I can say is that I was humbled to be in their presence. It is because of the heroic efforts of people such as Maggie, SGT Perez, SGM Rich and the thousands of other soldiers who are currently serving our country that we can take advantage of the freedoms that we all enjoy today. If that doesn't make you proud to be an American, I don't know what will. I simply can't thank those brave men and women enough for all that they are doing for each and every one of us. It is awesome to be involved with Wiley X and have such great opportunities presented to us.

Well, that was the highlights of our weekend at the Mac Tools Nationals. Sorry that the Sunglass Machine didn't have a few thousandths of a second left in her this weekend, but we will work hard on our GXP and have her in fighting form for the inaugural event next weekend in Charlotte, N.C. I hear that Bruton Smith has built a facility that is second to none and I can't wait to attend some of the preliminary events which are scheduled for early next week. I will be sure to take lots of pictures for those of you that are unable to attend. It should be awesome!

Well, I best get this blog to Phil so that he can get it posted. Be sure to check back soon!