Friday, April 29th - Lee County Speedway

After a two week wait due to rain, Cowman racing made their 2011 debut at Lee County Speedway Friday evening. Starting our third full season of racing Outlaw Hobby Stocks,  to say the least were excited about a new season. Ron Siepel, Tim Pryor and I piled into Timmy's truck on Friday and headed north.

Our usual stop in West Quincy and at the Flyin' J were like visiting old friends. As we pulled into Donnellson, we found a huge line of cars waiting to get into the pits. I knew then that it was going to be a wild night.

Once we got into the pits, the usual Friday night routine started. Ron and Tim got the car off the trailer and set up the tires and tools. I did my normal socializing with all my racing buddies. I looked for the racing order and went to the drivers' meeting.

Hot laps were way different then usual. The track was dry as a bone. This would prove to be the challenge all night - finding grip somewhere when the track was dry slick from the get go. My heat race started off all wrong. I had a guy spin out in front of me at the green flag. My beautiful right front was crushed in a matter of fifteen seconds. I somehow drove through it and qualified for the feature, finishing in fourth.

The only problem I had was that as I pulled into the infield the car began to load up. After inspection, I got back to the pits where we opened up the hood. For the next twenty minutes, Ron, Tim and another fellow racer dove into the carburator. Lucky me, I have so many people who are willing to help. We got it ready for the feature, thinking that it was fixed.

I drew second for the racing order, putting me on the front row. I was excited about the opportunity. The feature before mine lost twelve drivers who were involved in wrecks. It took forever to start. I thought to myself, "Stay out of trouble." As we started, I slipped into seventh place within the first lap. The caution came out and my problems started all over again. The car would load up causing the car to stall. I had to keep the rpm's up throughout the cautions to keep it running. I maintained my position of ninth through lap twelve. 

On lap twelve - out of nowhere coming down the back stretch - a brainless knucklehead ran into my left quarter panel. My car immediately moved toward the retaining wall. At that moment, I thought, "Oh crap! I am going to hit the wall." Well, I DID!! Now the right side was pancaked. The trunk was smashed up like an inverted "v". Somehow I had the presence of mind to keep going.

I nursed the car to a 9th place finish. We accomplished our goals by qualifying for the feature and finishing in the top ten. Much body work needs to be done this week but we will be ready to go next Friday night.