BUTTONWILLOW RESULTS CONTINUED t was a double race weekend for the October 15-17 event. For Saturdays

It was a double race weekend for the October 15-17 event. For Saturdays qualifying session, it was the same as usual, finding a lap with little “traffic” so we could just run a complete lap without anyone slowing us down. Finally late in the session we got that clear lap, and grabbed the pole position. And we got the pole by a good margin, insuring a front row starting position. It was clear and warm for the start of the race, about 85 degrees. At the drop of the green flag, I was off and away. Quite honestly, compared to other races I have run this year, this race was relatively uneventful. We won by a comfortable margin, the goal was not to do anything silly while passing slower cars. Now the job was to do it all over again on Sunday.

Sunday dawned with pretty heavy overcast, but no forecast of rain, yet. It was pretty much the same for us, trying to get a clean lap, so we could get on the front row. However, we were on old tires for today’s sessions. This usually results in slower lap times, but with cool air, a cool track surface, and some good coaching and a bit of pushing by the US Racetronics team owner, Shane Seneviratne, we actually qualified quicker than Saturdays time. The competition was not thrilled.

Then about a hour before the race the winds really started to pick up and the clouds to the west grew very dark. I have only raced once before in the rain, and it was a very light rain. Shane said not to worry. Unless it’s a heavy rain the cars' performance won’t change much. But just in case, we were ready with treaded rain tires if it became necessary to pit.

At the drop of the green flag I had decided to try to build as big a gap as possible, and if we could build a 10-15 second lead, then I would ease off a bit. So I slowed down from about 150 mph, to about 145 mph!  This was our goal, save the equipment if possible and at this point, just bring the car home for the victory. There were a few close passes, but other than that, pretty uneventful again. I did notice that the clouds to the west were really very dark now, but no rain. 

Checkered flag, 2 races, 2 poles, and 2 victories. After the victory lap, and while I was getting out of the car, the crew asked me if I had seen the lightning strikes to the west. I had not. My focus was too intense to notice. But soon after getting out of the car we saw numerous lightning strikes, and as soon as I received the checkered flag and trophy the skies opened up. Rain, hail, wind, lightning. I guess timing is everything.  Check us out here on youtube.

And now the time has come to say good bye to another great season of racing. What a team and crew. I can't say enough about the US Racetronics Team and the Owner Mr. Shane Seneviratne. Also to my driver coaches, Mr. Larry Mason, and Mr. Don Swanson. Thanks to all their patience and input we had another great year. What makes this so special is at the beginning of the year I did not even know if I would be racing this year. So now looking back in the rearview mirror on 6 victories, a 2nd and a 3rd place finish, and 5 pole positions, I can say we did ok. 

Now is time to continue the focus on the A C N business, so if God willing, we can do this again next year. As the business grows, the funds will be available.

Oh, there are 2 more events to come for 2010. We are still working out the details, but a certain current Indy Car star, and this years rookie of the year at the Indy 500, will be coming to the track at Buttonwillow Raceway, to coach me and find a way to get me going really fast. This will be really great. This to me is just unbelievable. I am still living the dream. Then the awards banquet in November wraps it up.

Thanks for all your patience, for those who actually read all of this. I could have not done this without many of you who read this.  Thanks to all my friends, business partners, racers, family, all those who coached me all these years in Photography, Racing and A C N. Everything that I have experienced in my life has led to this moment.

Thanks again with all my heart. Success to all of you and God Bless. 


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