Well we were off to races with the World of Outlaws, Wed May 23rd. We arrived on time, even a bit early to check things out. The team has never been to Grandview so we wanted to look around at the track and all the big dogs before we got to work. The only car running tonight was the Sidewinder with a guest driver in it. Randy West who built the car ask in the beginning of the season if this race unfolded could he drive it that night and Mr. WeeBee agreed. The track is big banked smooth and super fast looking. I think Mr. WeeBee was hoping Randy wouldn’t show but he did.
We went out warm ups with total guess at gearing and we weren’t far off better than most but needed some change. Randy and the guys got right to work when he came in. It was heat time after the WOO came back from time trails. We started 3rd and by the back stretch had the lead and held it for the heat win. Randy still thought we needed a gear change we agreed and made the change in hopes of our first win of the year.
Now it was feature time starting 6th by a pill draw. No big deal if things were right. Randy quickly moved to 5th, then 4th then 3rd in less than 2 laps. But then it seemed to even out and we weren’t catching the 2 leaders. We got a yellow the next 2-3 laps the car was very strong again. Mr. WeeBee knew we had issues would it last????? Then late in the race Sean Cambell got past. Moving us back to forth. On the white flag lap down the back stretch you guessed it. The damn thing blew up. Not good with no spare motor and races both Friday and Saturday nights. The guys went home with their heads hanging with out a doubt. We loaded up and made the long drive home.
The guys got back to the shop around 1pm and began to take things apart to see how servear the damage is. Chris the Crew chief who has stepped in for Shawn, who has had many health issues. “Get well soon Shawn” Anyway Chris says the motor is junk! So let’s have a cocktail and call it a night.
Noon Thursday Ronny comes to the rescue well actually both Rons. Ron Walter “motor man” found one on the east coast but it is in Jersey. Mr. WeeBee says Ron???? Without hesitation he says get me directions I’m on my way! Thanks Ron and Buck for driving 6-7 hours to get us a motor. The guys got back around 6:30ish and Chris came straight from work and had the other out already. Now Chris and Kerry had to take all the stuff we use for a racecar off the old and put it on the new used motor. By 11pm it was in and running. Wow great job guys. We then loaded up both cars and headed home for yet another short night this week.
Off to Path Valley where Alex is on a rookie tear. Nice job writer “jinx”. Chris had the car reset just how it was last week for the feature where Alex was very strong. Alex drew bad yet again and was starting last in his heat. On the first lap the right rear wheel center snapped out and the wheel and tire bounced off the wall and you guessed it his top wing and smashed it. All out of wack. So now he has to run his first b-main of the year and starts last in an 8 lap dash and must finish 1st or 2nd. He raced his ass off and got a strong 3rd and was closing fast.
The new motor in the 1000cc car ran pretty good but defiantly needed some tuning.
We believed Alex was done for the night but at the last second the race director said you’re in the 51 is scratched. So Chris quickly added fuel and Alex belted up and off he went starting last 24th. He missed a few early wrecks and ran an awesome race and finished 12th we counted 10th but he got paid for 12th still a great run from the back.
The beautifully matched 1K started 9th made it to 5th not quit up to par though. The guys headed home with their heads high and not tons to do to get ready for trailway’s the next night.
Well it’s already Saturday when we get home but we have a couple cocktails and discuss our plan for tomorrow. It’s Buck’s big day to drive a racecar. One of his wishes in his closing months. So the plan is to get the cars ready by 2 and Mr. WeeBee rented Speedway 94 in Hanover for an hour and a half for the team and some friends to race with Buck in the winged gocarts before we head over to Trailway to race both cars that night. What a great time everyone had and you’ll never guess after twin 25’s and Mr. WeeBee loosing 5 points for ruff driving on the last lap pass for the win. Buck won the over all point championship for the days event! That for sure was the high light of the day.
We did some service work to the 600cc car and when we got the track it would not run right. We never made it out for his heat and when we thought we had it fixed for the B-main it just didn’t run right. Alex missed his first feature due to carburetor problems. BUMMER for Al and the crew who worked their asses off all night to find the problem. So Mr. WeeBee the great Dad he is offered Alex his car for the heat and Alex gave it a shot but didn’t have much success and the car still had a miss so it didn’t come off the corners. Alex hung with the pack but didn’t even get in the mix. No problem he brought it back in one piece which is always good.
Next up features for the 1000cc class. Starting in the back Mr. WeeBee didn’t have high hopes due to the engine was not matched to the injection system so we knew we just be putting laps but what the heck he did and fought his way to another 5th place finish and said at the end of the race we get this thing cleaned out ( race term ) it will be a good runner.
We are taking next week off due to Mr.WeeBee having surgery and the Mrs.saying regroup and be ready the following week. Those women always wanting to think the way we should???? Let’s see what happens? Thanks for stopping by and we’ll talk to you next week.
