May 5, 2007 Steve's Race Report

Saurday was not a bad night for me. I went down for paid practice early to try and help Don work some bugs out of his car. That went well overall and we definately exterminated a few pesky critters. When I took my car out for practice it was probably the fastest the car has ever been!!! 14.5 sec is almost unheard of in the Legend cars. I had two in the low 14.5 and alot of 14.6 in a row which I was happy to see I had a consistantly fast car.

The heat race I started 8th and just rode out 6th beacuse the car was a little tight and there were alot of fast cars so I was ok with a 6th place qualifing spot. The master plan was to surprise them in the feature!

In the feature I was given the 10th starting spot with Don next to me and Mike behind me. All hell broke loose when, who else but John Hugate in his new 86 car got racy. He had taken it out for all of 5 laps pratice and a heat race in which he started on the pole and was in 10th by the 4th lap!!! John got loose and took out Don!!! Mike and I just managed to avoid the results. After restarting on the outside row, I started making my way to the front making most of my passes on the outside. The car was really good on the outside this week.

When the caution waved with 9 laps to go, I found myself sitting third behind the 90 and 64 car. My car was now a little loose but still plenty fast enough to win! I managed to stay on the 64 car good on the single file restart. I knew I had a faster car then the 2 in front of me but I was trying to be patient. That plan started going south when I started getting pressure from the 99 car and Mike, too. The 64 car was working on the 90 car who was leading but didn't have enough to get by him. I was getting good runs on the 64 car but he kept blocking my line. I got really loose a few times to where I was looking in the infield but backing off was not an option (when your that close you live and die with your right foot!!!!) At one point I got half way under the 64 and he came down on me pretty hard! That was my chance of the night. I finished a strong but very disappointing 3rd.

This one I felt like I should have won more then the one I led for 20 laps last week. Ron Poley in the 64 has always raced me clean so although I gave him a few good shots to the back bumper I didnt want to dump him. I try not to race that way. I know he will repay my kindness some night when I feel stupid!

My dad did a great job as always giving me a car to win with every week so far. I really wanted to get him a well deserved win. I will keep trying along with the rest of the team. Dad, Pat, and Eric great job...can't do it without you guys! Mike was strong starting 12th and finishing 5th. Don had a good car and bad luck. He should start closer to the front next week and I dont make predictions but I think he will be the man with a mission!!! ( John stay clear of that 19, brother).

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

C-YA!