Today is Friday and I have finally gotten my mind and my body relaxed enough to sit at my desk and write another blog. What a crazy month it has been! We have gone from the shop to Vegas to test, to Pomona where we sat in the rain for a week, to warm and dry Phoenix and finally back across country to the shop. I have logged over 6,000 miles in the tractor trailer in less than 30 days and I will admit, when I pulled into the shop early Wednesday morning, I felt like I had driven 6,000 miles.

A lot has been happening lately and I know that Toni had kept you up dated while we were in Pomona. After the race, Toni and I drove the rig to Phoenix and parked at the track. I had to work on my generator to try to get it fixed (I could not bear the thought of renting another generator to power us through Phoenix) and thankfully, I accomplished that task on Wednesday evening. With the help of the guys at Martin Diesel via phone, I was able to fix the problem, rewire the generator and power it back up before leaving Phoenix to fly back home for a few days.

Did I ever mention that I really like that flying across country thing? I'm really into it, I think. Toni tells me not to get too used to it. Oh well, it is great while it lasts. Like I said, we flew home for a few days and with the rig gone I got to spend time in the office catching up on paperwork and emails. I also got to spend Valentine's Day at home so Toni and I enjoyed a nice dinner with our friends Carlton and Debbie Phillips of Prince William Marina. They have built a new restaurant at the marina complete with a beautiful view, wonderful food, relaxing music and great atmosphere and it was nice to sit and relax with good friends.

Jamie and Cynthy brought Ryan over on Sunday to have dinner and watch the Daytona 500. So, after I finished raking leaves in the back yard (never any rest for the weary) I got to spend some time spoiling my awesome grandson. I cannot believe how big he is getting! Toni says that I act like an idiot with him but he and I seem to communicate just fine. It is hard to believe that he is four months old already and growing by the minute. Every time he smiles at me I just fall in love with him all over again. What a little blessing he is.

Speaking of Jamie, many of you have probably noticed that Jamie hasn't been with us this year – instead Jon has been helping me out with the crew chief duties. Jamie decided to return to the University of Maryland to finish his last year of college and obtain his mechanical engineering degree. It has been about ten years since Jamie last attended school and needless to say, he has been pretty busy trying to adjust to his new schedule. The neat thing is that Jamie has learned so much practical engineering while Pro Stock racing that he is able to relate so well too many of the applications that he is learning in his classes. His goal is to graduate next May and I have no doubt that he will do just that. We are all so proud of him for taking this important step.

Like I said before, Jon has been filling in for Jamie and he has been doing a great job. Jon has always worked with Jamie but he has never actually been responsible for determining gear ratios, trans ratios, clutch, weight, etc. He has been doing it all, as well as lining me up on the starting line and doing all the other crew chief jobs. I have never really had the chance to work one-on-one with Jon in this capacity and I am amazed at how thorough and analytical he is. Not to mention that his funny personality keeps us all laughing even in the most stressful moments.

I'm really looking forward to Gainesville as I will have Jon and Jamie both there. Well, Jamie is flying in on Friday night so I will have him and Jon for Saturday and Sunday. Melissa will be able to attend Gainesville as well. She has been extremely busy with Wiley X on the NASCAR side this year and I know that she is excited about having a free weekend to come to Gainesville. So once again, I will have all of my kids at one of my favorite races of the year.

Right now we are planning on testing a couple of days in Bradenton, Fla., before going to Gainesville. We have some new engine combinations we want to try as well as some new chassis setups. This time of year it is hard to find warm places to get some quality test runs but we have always had great results at Bradenton. It is somewhat of a tradition … test Bradenton … win Gainesville! I like the sound of that!

Besides, the way it is looking, it may be my last time racing at Gainesville. Though I have been looking really hard for additional funding to keep us out here for the remainder of this year, I don't need to tell most of you that money is just tight for everyone out there. I guess only time will tell. In the meantime I am going to enjoy my last couple of races, enjoy having my wife and kids with me and count my many blessings for all that I have been able to do over the last 20 years.

I will always remember something that our ex-Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs once told me. He said, "Jim, for every door that shuts another one opens. You just need to be patient to see what God has in store for you next." Okay, coach, put me in!!! LOL

Till next time!