Filling in the Blanks

Sorry it has been so long since I have checked in. A lot has happened since the last blog. First we finished up the NMCA series in Memphis, TN. This was my first trip to Memphis Motorsports Park. The fans are awesome. We had a display on Beale Street in front of Coyote Ugly before the race and then headed to the track for the season ending party. It is fun to see all of the racers and their families putting the competition aside to have a little bit of fun.

We made 2 passes on Saturday and one on Sunday. The car ran great. Andrew and I flew out of the Memphis airport so he could get back in school Monday morning. Chris repositioned the rig in Gulfport, MS for our next week a couple of weeks later. Chris flew out of the Gulfport airport the following day, so by Monday evening the family was all back in their own beds.

It is amazing how quickly the two weeks can fly by. I always miss the track and can't wait to get back out there, but part owning a business is getting the book work done and there is always looking ahead for the 2009 season. So after getting things caught up back at the shop, we headed for the airport to make our 4th appearance at the Ford vs. Chevy show in Gulfport, MS. This is their 20 anniversary for this event and is always one of the fun stops on our schedule.

After a lot of delays in the Atlanta airport, we finally touched down and got some sleep for the big weekend ahead. We headed out to the track Saturday morning and got everything set-up. Luckily there was enough time to go out and grab a bite to eat at one of Gulfports amazing restaurants. Then it was time to get to work as the gates opened up for test and tune and for me to make one of my passes for the evening.

The pass went on without a hitch, we loaded up the car and headed to the hotel for some rest. Sunday morning and when we headed to the race track we were in for a surprise. The line to get in was sooooooooo long that it took over 30 minutes just to get up to the gates. I had a great feeling about the day. It did not disappoint. The track was PACKED. Like I said before this is my 4th year coming back for this race. I had some wonderful surprises. Several fans have come back every year to see me and they always bring back photos, t shirts and other things they have collected from previous years. Thanks so much, you all have a special place in my heart!!!!

Well after two great passes with the last pass at 286 mph, we loaded up the dragster and headed for home. I don't have another race until Thanksgiving weekend at the Citrus Nationals and then finishing up the year at the Snowbird Nationals, but that doesn't mean we will be resting. We are going to visit the World Street Nationals in Orlando, FL as a lot of our racing friends are going to be racing. Then bright and early I have to take Chris to the airport to fly out to Arizona to Embry-Riddle in Prescott. I am going to fly out and meet him at the SEMA show. Not a lot of rest for us as soon as we get back the very next day we head to the other Embry-Riddle campus in Daytona Beach for their homecoming.

So hang on, it is going to be a very busy fall!!! Keep checking in on our schedule as I will have my 2009 schedule posted soon. I hope to see you all at the races!!!!

luv ya,
e

The NMRA Finals

Well a full year has come and gone and we are back to the NMRA finals in Bowling Green, KY again this year. I have been traveling with the NMRA and NMCA series this year and it has been a lot of fun. As I am not racing anymore, it is fun to be a part of a series that you can feel a part of. The problem is that I get involved with the teams and want them to do well. Now the end has come and all that is left if the banquet at the PRI show to finish off the year. I want to congradulate the winners on a job well done. I will miss seeing you guys. But 2009 is just around the corner.

Now on to this weekend. We are finishing off the NMCA series in Memphis, TN. This is Andrew's favorite series, so we are letting him take a day off from school to head to the track to cheer on all of the racers. We get to have a little fun before we head to the track at Coyote Ugly to do a display. Yes Chris is sad about this, but hey we do what we can for the sport of drag racing!!!!

This week has also been interesting, on the way home from picking Andrew up from school, driving home on a road that I travel everyday, we got into an accident. A person was looking at a house and decided instead of going straight ahead, she would go backwards and hit me. Talk about making a day interesting. Luckly we are fine and the only damage is very small to the front of my car, which can be fixed. So it really makes me realize that it is much safer on the dragstrip than the road.

Here are some photos from this past weekend. Enjoy.

Well I guess that is it for this week. I will post more next week. Be safe.
e