Hey everyone! I am getting ready to leave the shop and head west but thought I would write a quick blog before I go. It seems like yesterday that I parked the rig, unloaded our GXP and started making plans for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Racing season. Now, we have gotten everything cleaned, serviced, loaded and ready to head to Las Vegas for an important test session and then on to one of my favorite races of the year, Pomona. Wow, where has the time gone?

Speaking of time, this year could mark an important chapter in my life of drag racing, as it could very possibly be my last year. In fact, at this moment, we only have enough funding to race the first four races with our Wiley X Sunglass Machine. I definitely don't need to elaborate on the financial situation of our nation so it goes without saying that times are tough for everyone, including sponsors. Wiley X is an awesome sponsor, but they have had to make financial decisions just like many other companies and I appreciate their help in funding me for even a few races. You never know, maybe things will turn around in our economy and someone will want to become involved for the remainder of the year. Hey, it doesn't hurt to look on the bright side of things does it?

If things don't turn around, then I will look back on my racing career and count my blessings for the opportunities I have been afforded over the last 19 years. I have had an awesome ride, accomplished a lot of things, met a lot of wonderful people, and had countless opportunities to perhaps make a difference in someone's life. My family has been there every step of the way and will continue to do so until my last run down the racetrack and because of that, I consider myself a very lucky man.

Anyway, enough said of all of that. Believe it or not, I can't wait to get on the road. I am leaving a little early because of the threat of weather along the way, but should get to Vegas by Thursday with no problems. We have a lot of new things to test and Richard Maskin has promised me some extra horsepower for the year – I like the way that sounds!

Like I said before, Pomona has always been one of my favorite and most anticipated races. Isn't it funny that for 19 years I have been going from track to track and still have my favorites. Maybe it is the excitement of starting the new season after working all winter on our racecars and combinations. Maybe it is the wonderful California sunshine, mild temperatures and warm Santa Ana breezes. I don't know, maybe it is the masses of energetic race fans that pack the stands (even on Thursday!) and wave at us as we ride up and down the return road. Maybe it is the backdrop of snow covered mountains and palm trees swaying in the distance – a real change from the cold and freezing weather I am leaving behind me.

For whatever reason, it will always be a greatly anticipated race for me. It is where I have debuted all of my new sponsors and Pontiac racecars, it is where I won my first race of the year on the way to both of my championships, it is even where I made it to my very first final in 1992.

You never forget your first final, especially if it is at Pomona. Our Pontiac Trans Am had a new sponsor that year – Dynomax Exhaust. We were using Bob Ingles horsepower and a Jerry Bickel chassis. Toni was working on the clutch and Lenco transmission at that time and 15-year-old Jamie was helping out and learning everything he could. Eliminations had run late that day and the bright orange sun was just setting in the background as I pulled to the starting line to take on No. 1 qualifier Jerry Eckman in his Pennzoil Pontiac. I gave it my best, leaving on him by a couple of hundredths, but he outran me to take the win. I can still remember that final like it was yesterday. There wasn't any doubt in my mind; I was definitely hooked on NHRA drag racing!

Okay, enough of my reminiscing. Now I've given myself something fun to think about for the next 4 days and 2,500 miles; I'll probably figure out who I raced in the previous rounds to get to the final by the time I get to Vegas. LOL

Well, I am going to close this and get going so I can try to beat the weather that is threatening to follow me across I-40. I will try to write a blog after testing and let you know how things went in Vegas and report to you how awesome the weather and racing will be in Pomona. With the great ticket prices being advertised you can’t afford not to come and see all of us! Stop by and say hey!

PS - Sorry I don't have any pictures, Toni already packed her camera in rig before I had a chance to downloaded them. I'll share more next time.