I know, I know, it has been three weeks since my last blog – sorry about that. I seem to lose track of time with everything that has been going on, and Toni had to remind me that I have been negligent in my blogging duties. Let's see, where did I leave off last time?

We were planning on doing some testing with Richard's engines before Gainesville, and I had been looking forward to going to Bradenton, but as it turned out, we didn't have everything ready in time and we had to forgo our test session. Instead, our team headed straight to Gainesville, where the weather and racing turned out to be absolutely awesome. If you were there or listened to Bob Frey on the radio, you know exactly what I am talking about. Sunny skies, 80 degrees, and great track conditions – who could ask for anything more; well, other than a win!

Toni and I left in the rig on Tuesday evening and arrived at Gainesville on Wednesday afternoon. Jon and Melissa also arrived on Wednesday afternoon and helped me and Toni set up. Al and Craig arrived on Thursday with the engines, and Jamie arrived on Friday afternoon. This was the first race that Jamie has been to since Ryan was born, and we were all so glad to have him back. He is on spring break this week from the University of Maryland, so he didn't have to worry about missing any classes or getting behind in his studies. Not only did he get to help us qualify, but he also had time to say hi and catch up with some of his friends at the track.

It is so great to have all the kids at the track with us – we always seem to laugh and have a great time. OK, well, I might get a little stressed at times and may not be as much fun; like when I have to abort a run in one of the fast sessions or we have to change our combination at the last minute and get to the staging lanes just as they start running Pro Stock! Other than that, we have a blast. LOL

As I begin to wind down my NHRA Pro Stock career, I have had a lot of time to think about all of the awesome opportunities and experiences that I have had over the last 20 years. A lot of you have talked to me at the track and have written me, asking questions about some of my most memorable moments in drag racing. I thought that I would take the time over the next week or so to talk about some of the things that I remember the most.

Did you know that my first NHRA "Winston" Pro Stock drag race was the 1989 Gatornationals? I had just purchased my first tractor trailer but didn't have a CDL, so I couldn't drive it. Bet me! I headed off to DMV with a borrowed truck and trailer to take my test and get my license. That was an experience I'll never forget, but thankfully, the officer in charge passed me on my first attempt, and I was on my way!

Now that I had the transporter and a license to drive, all I needed was Pro Stock car. I ended up buying one of Rickie Smith's Motorcraft Ford Thunderbirds. I had a 500 cid Ford engine that had been worked on by Sonny Leonard and the minimum amount of equipment and experience needed to race with. My crew consisted of my best friend Dennis, another crew guy Jamie, Toni, and my Jamie; of course Melissa and Jon were there for moral support. I remember that we had taken the kids out of school for the week (they were only 12, 9, and 6), loaded them into the tractor trailer, and headed south. At that time, the kids thought that riding in a tractor trailer was absolutely the coolest thing ever – funny how that changed over the years. Go figure!

Anyway, I will admit now, that I didn't have a clue what I was getting my self into, but I was high on life, living my dream, and having a blast. I didn't qualify for that race, but I can assure you of one thing – I was definitely hooked on Pro Stock racing! I only attended 3 races that year – Gainesville, Memphis and Reading – and never did qualify my Ford. It was after that when I decided to switch to my Pontiac, but that is another story for later on.

I head into Houston with very mixed emotions. With no other sponsorship possibilities on the horizon, the O'Reilly Spring Nationals will be my final and 405th consecutive race in my Pontiac Pro Stock car. (My 3 races in 1989 were in a Ford) I have to admit that a part of me is having a hard time letting go of racing, but at the same time, I am excited about what the next chapter of my life will bring. It is sort of ironic that my first race in my Pontiac Trans Am began in 1990 at Houston Raceway Park, and 19 years later, my final and 405th consecutive race (408th overall) will end at Houston Raceway Park. It sure is funny how things happen, isn't it?

Well, I have to get back down to the shop and do some work on the rig. I had another small problem with my generator in Florida and have to fix it, as well as I have to do some maintenance work on the rig before heading to Houston next week.

Be sure to check back. I am going to have Toni dig out some of her old photos of my first race in Houston and share them with you along with some more funny stories of "the way things were back then!"