April 21, 2007 Steve's Race Report

It was the best opening night you could ever ask for as far as the weather went. the cars rolled off the trailer looking 2nd to none. The cars were all pretty good in practice and I know I was more then happy with mine.

For the first time in a long time my car felt strong. I started the heat 6th and finished 2nd. Going by last years last 3 finishes I started 7th in the feature, a starting spot that I felt I could win from. This is where my bad luck started. Right on the start the 3 car in front of me just didn't go. I later found out he could not get the car in gear. Anyway I got run over from behind and the car lifted approximately 5 feet in the air and landed with me in the middle of the track facing on coming cars! Good job to the guys behind me for not plowing into me! (This was nothing that could be avoided and no one is to blame the 3 car always makes good starts) I was able to drive the car to the pits and nothing was broken to the point where I could not return. I found out later the damage to include a bent rear housing, shock, and some hiem ends.

I restarted the race 24th. The car did not handle well after this but it was drivable and for that I was happy. I was not too comfortable in the car thinking something was about to break so I played it conservative and advanced only when the opportunity presented itself. I still ended up finishing 9th at the checkers. My back and neck was killing me the following day but all and all it was not as bad as it could have been. AJ Wright crashed hard in the race and took a trip to the hospital. I hope to see him back soon.

Mistie and Sandi were there to route me on and tell me all that I did wrong!!!!! Thanks to the rest of my family for coming out as well. Mike crashed bad in his heat race on the last lap when the new driver in the #8 car took him out. My Dad, Joe, Pat, and our Gist racing teammates did a great job fixing the badly damaged car. Mike took a car that he had no idea what it would be like and started 12th and finished 5th in the feature. Don started the race from the pole and led till lap 22 when he hit some oil and got loose and Gardella in the 14 passed him clean and went on for the win. Don dug in and had an impressive 2nd place finish. Don is gonna be a big part of our team this year.

Thanks for reading the report and come back week to week for my race reports!

C-YA!