When you spend 20 years of your life living on a racing schedule you always wonder what it would be like to not be on the road 24/7. I have always worried that I would really have a hard time adjusting to a more “laid back” schedule. Well, let me tell you, I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of my tractor-trailer and my Pontiac GXP! I think that I have worked harder in the last eight weeks than I have in the last 20 years.

Now that I am on a sabbatical from racing, I have been tackling Toni’s “honey-do” list that has taken her 20 years to compile. And when I say tackling, I mean tackling! My approach has been to work on it with a vengeance because I never know when I just might get the call to get back to the racetrack. I guarantee you one thing, every time the phone rings, I’m on it! LOL

Since I assumed that I would have lots of free time on my hands to leisurely get items checked off of Toni’s list, I decided to tackle all of them myself. Well I am glad to report that besides being able to pilot a Pro Stock car at 209 mph in 6.5 seconds, I have also become an accomplished Grandpop/babysitter, baby swing installer (it’s even a racecar swing), boat detailer, dock builder, plumber, electrician, carpenter, painter, landscaper, mechanic, arborist, mover, and other various trades I have yet to have the opportunity to explore. Gosh, I hope that phone rings soon!

Needless to say, we have been keeping busy and once again I find myself wondering where I can come up with a few more hours in a day. This past weekend, Jamie, Cynthy, and Ryan came over for a Mother’s Day cookout and I introduced Ryan to his new racecar swing. I haven’t had a chance to trick it out with a cool Wiley X paint scheme just yet but that has been added to the aforementioned to-do list. Ryan didn’t seem to mind, however, because the smile on his face told me that this little guy must have racing in his blood already. With every swing he just giggled louder and louder. I don’t know who was having more fun, Grandpop or Ryan! I have to tell you, this sabbatical thing may be hard work but the perks make it all worthwhile and spending time with Ryan is a pretty good perk.

On the racing front, I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I just had an interesting phone call. There is a chance that the Wiley X GXP will be back on the track on a limited schedule starting in Chicago. I can’t say much more about it right now, because all of the details still need to be finalized but we are excited about our new opportunities. Hopefully, I will be able to explain all the details in our next blog so be sure to keep checking back.

Well, Toni just walked in and wanted to know if we were running up to Home Depot to pick up some more supplies so I guess I best close this blog. You know you are spending way too much time at Home Depot when the cashiers know you by name. Guess I better check my list to see what is on the agenda for today – let’s see do I want to tackle hauling the last 20 bags of mulch out to the yard or do I want to clean out the engine room on my boat. Boy, I’m really looking forward to that phone ringing again! Talk to you all soon!