While I could not find any help for Jacksonville Friday night, I took advantage of the extra time to attempt preparations for the next race.  Andy Jones (who did his weekly fuel system cleaning) and his wife Tracey, my uncle Tom (who helped “flip tires”) and (after a last minute decision) Mr. Dull said they would go to the annual “Tom Knowles Memorial”.  Like usual though, I still wanted to do more to the car and we did not get loaded until later than we should have.  Thanks to legend Kevin Olson (about the only one with cell number I had) who drew for me, the only activity I missed was the first few minutes of the driver’s meeting (without qualifying at POWRi races, if you do not get a number they make you start in the back of the heat with no potential to get any “passing points” – which has happened to me before).

Hot Laps:  Although I did about every possible maintenance item I ever had intention to do, I failed to tighten the locking bolt on the top of the fuel pump and did not get to practice.  As it inserts into a housing, I did get started up, but when I tried to stand on the gas the pump must have backed out and the car lost power.  Fortunately, it took me less than five minutes of sitting in the infield to realize what most likely occurred.  Upset with myself, we continued preparations and were allowed to start up before the first heat to ensure there were no issues.  Unfortunately, I did not even get to stand on it, as the POWRi official (who I do not have the best relationship with) motioned me off the track before I could even go through one and two.

Heat:  Although we actually were not late to the line, ended up being the last car pushed off.  As soon as I got out on the track, they were ready to line-up.  I barely got my spot in line and they gave us the one to go.  Seemed like I kind of got a break from Austin Brown on the pole at the start and we powered into one without the whole field blowing by (this was no BMARA/USAC field).  Maintaining decent position out of two (think Hess passed me too though), I tried the “go slower to go faster” method, as it seemed like as dry slick as the track was, maybe you could not just “bomb” it in.  I did continue to loose spots though, including Hess’s teammate Olson, and eventually tried to bottom feed.  The car was sluggish off the corner, as I was not carrying enough speed through, but slow enough the chassis felt pretty good.  The fellow back-markers were not pulling away and we were gaining ground going into some turns (typical), but I was losing it all coming out (also typical).  I never got going anywhere and played with the top again to try to figure something out for the B-main.  Did not even get ahead of another car and was doomed to start at the tail of the semi.

Semi:  We went up a gear to adjust to the track (of coarse, the #9 set I had that was bad, so had to borrow one) and did about all we could to the chassis for the incredibly dry slick conditions (raised the front end, 4” stagger, moved RR in all the way, softer RR bar, put more LR weight in, etc.) and I WAS optimistic of a run to the front (again, although many good cars, this was not the same field we had to run with the last couple of weeks).  Passing ten cars from the 16^th starting spot would have been exciting, but I had every intention of being much more aggressive (and hopefully more consistent) than the heat.  All of the effort was to no avail, as the push truck driver behind me was very slow on take off, causing the engine to chug and driveline to clang before I could take off.  I should have held the brake longer, but thought I would give it a shot from the less than ideal (and dark) starting area.  Chugging along, the truck driver backed off right away and the #56 banged to a stop.  Andy told the guy to go faster on the second attempt and we at least got out on the track.  Again, it was another quick line up, but AGAIN, as I stood on the gas, the car was without power.  While the rest of the field took the green, I thought I could feel more room in the cockpit area.  The torque tube (no where near brand new, but with just a couple seasons on it, did not consider it wore out) had snapped off at the rear-end and dumped the driveshaft out on the track. 

So, had one mechanical mistake and one “driving” failure/starting issue which cost us a chance at any type of run and potential to get more than the $50 I paid to sign in ($30 pit pass and “only” $20 entry fee).  After a little temper tantrum, I suggested that we take advantage of the opportunity to watch KO run (you never know when it might be his last).  At least made it up in time to see most of the race, which he won on the bottom (another lap, Don Moore’s driver would have blown around him on the top).  Having only raced there one previous time, I did get a few more half-azz laps on the track (can’t hurt me next week at Beaver Dam) too, but otherwise, it was all a depressing experience.