Kentucky 150

What a nightmare.

Never felt more prepared for a race. Had a plan for track changes (cold track at start etc). I had run multiple long run tests (50+ laps) pushing as hard as I could go with no spins. Was really pleased.

I suppose that two-tire stop wasn't a great idea. Everything went pear-shaped after that.

That's 0-for-two at Kentucky in the Challenge series...

I think I might hate this place.

Very special thanks to Mike Lilley for tips and advice during practice this week. Without his help, I would have never been on pace today, so blame him LOL I was in the top 3 or 4 all race long pretty much. The yellow came out with 10 to go, and I decided just to replace the right side tires (which were both in the red) with 3 lap scuffs, coming out of the pits in 1st. When Mike asked me over TS if I had changed 4 tires, I knew I was doomed right then and there, because he obviously did. Green flies, I'm 1st and I drove as hard as I could. Mike eventually got by, and by that time we had opened up a pretty good gap back to 3rd. But of course, the yellow comes out again, setting up the green/white/checkered. Green flies and in 1 lap I lose 2 positions to Larry and Conor. Had to be happy with 4th today. Thanks all for the clean racing. Sorry to Dave Ulmer who said I hit him in the pits. I didnt think I hit anyone, but the next stop, Conor hits me coming out of his pitstall giving me some rear damage, and it didnt seem like he even realized it, so I knew then that Dave was maybe right. Grats to Mike on the win, as well as the rest of the podium. It's not such a long day when I'm good enough to play up front. Had some great racing with Larry and Conor.

It would have been a year, tomorrow, since I had last completed a proper stock car race (restrictor plates don't count). And I must say, I had almost forgotten how much fun these were.

I had a blast running with the likes of the Ulmers, Mike, Larry, and Bob all through the entire race. Lots of clean racing and yet, not enough green flag laps to really make it an entirely epic race. Way too many yellows in the first half of the event killed any potential momentum that was to be had.

Fortunately, we got one long green flag run that lasted up until 10 laps to go. Mike and I went at it for the lead and for almost the entire time, I was latched onto his bumper, trying to find a way around him. I thought I had the faster car, but Mike had the preferred line. I tried the low line and the upper line, but it seemed the middle worked best and that's where he was.

With 10 laps to go, a caution came out and this was the LAST thing I wanted. My car was far better on the longer runs than it was on cold tires. We all came in for fresh ones, and with two guys take only two tires, I fell back to fourth. On the restart, I eased it into T1 a little too cautiously which let Larry behind me to zoom by. I eventually picked up another spot but another caution came out sending us into a GWC situation. Once we got going again, I drove it hard into T1 and picked up momentum to stay with Bob and Larry who were fighting for 2nd. Final lap, I got around Bob through T2 and set my sights on Larry, but didn't have enough time to battle him. A little disappointing about the late caution, but hey, that's stock car racing for ya. 3rd ain't bad!

Great race. Grats to Mike on the win :).

I'll surely be back for Toledo :)

@Bob...wasn't aware that I hit you on that stop. Thought I had cleared you with plenty of room. Although, I did see you hit David on the stop before. But, it was like one of those laggy incidents. You had cleared him, but the second you got close to him, his car jump right in front of you and somehow, managed to hit him. Might be a problem with the pits here at Kentucky.

Good job all around and good win The Michael. A nice solid event; only thing we lacked was long greens.

Dumb move of my part trying something different set-up wise; should have stuck with what I had had. Bull nosing the car when Jim B got loose didnt help the aero. Had some fun with Anthony, Charles, and whichever non-David Ulmer. Those Ulmer guys are like weeds; they're everywhere. Here, there, and everywhere an Ulmer.

Very close at the top in Qualifying, and was 11th on the grid only 3 tenths off pole.

Came round for the rolling start but was getting all the cars in front warping - they were all jigging left and right in front of me and so I kept a slight distance back for the "green flag". I got an immediate stop & go penalty for passing before the start/finish line - but I hadn't overtaken anyone! In fact I went down to P14. Someone span in front bringing out the yellow, and Tim removed the penalty on the proviso I'd get a lap penalty at race end if I had infringed.

Again as the cars bunched up I was getting the warping - "green flag" and no sooner had I acclerated than I got another stop & go for overtaking before the line. Again, I took no-one. Tim removed it again. When the cars spaced out the warping seemed to disappear. I did a 30.9 after 2 or 3 more laps as my tyres warmed up - without even pushing - and was thinking this is looking OK for race trim, when another car span in front of me - I ducked down the inside and heard no "yellow flag" warning or yellow light in cockpit, so kept going hard. Then I realised all the guys in front were slowing down - I took evasive action and went inside and braked heavily, going past half the field.

I went on Teamspeak to confirm I had no yellow warning - then straight away I was alone on track. Disco!!! I drove around for half a lap hoping it would be a temporary glitch, but it was not to be. Bit miffed (sorry for the "f" word on TS guys), but got an extra hour sleep (4am in the morning) as I went back to bed!

All I can say is it was my 13th Stock Car race....I suppose unlucky 13 says it all!

Well done to everyone for finishing. See you in Toledo (new track for me).

Grats to Michael, Larry & Connor

The traffic and the gate security that held me up w/ my crew chief who was late to getting my suite washed, I was forced to wait for the dryer to finish its job b/4 I could jump into the car:( which resulted in no laps b/4 qualy.

Went into qualy looking at it as practice laps and took what it would give.

Race, do to the un-prepared nature of my crew chief I ran the set-up that worked nicely for me during the week only to find out it didn't work well under race conditions. I brought out the first yellow with a lazy spin and tapping the wall, sry guys. In for repairs, and immediatly went to the wedge, dialed some out and the car became more manageable, dialed out more the next time. I had a few good fights for position and was getting real confident in the closing stages only to fall slightly short of where I wanted to finish.

I have took quite a few good things from this race, first my mirrors work well, I was able to see around the car and able to leave ample room for my competitors, second the effect of adjustments on the fly, third, throttle control, fourth...my crew chief needs to get me thru the gate quicker, fifth...my restarts...I felt I did much better today.

Cheers,
Cya next time.

That had to be one of the most intense races I've had to date. Lots of fast drivers today.
The car seemed to be a little loose to start the race, compared to practice. First pit stop made a change and then the car was tight. That's when we had the long green run. Had to enter the turns easy and let it drift up on exit. That's easier said then done with Conor on your arse. With Conor and I fighting for position I noticed Bob slowly reeling us in along with someone else.(Didnt see who it was) Then the caution. Was able to make changes again to help with the tight condition and this time it was a good change. Came out in second behind Bob, only taking two. Got under Bob, which he gave just enough room, and went back to the lead. Then another caution, checked remaining time and knew it would be G/W/C. Timed the start perfectly! All I had to do was keep it on the track and not spin. Great racing.
Conor, thanks for driving so clean. There were a few restarts that you could of pressed the issue and went 3 wide to attempt a pass but, you didnt.
Congrats to Larry and Conor.
Sorry for the bad luck David.
Mike

Congratulations to Michael for his victory, and very nice to see my teammate running up front all day long.
Unfortunately I was totally invisible today, just way off the pace. My car was setup for long runs, but what I did not realize is that by the time fifteen laps were in the books the whole field was gone! Also, on restarts and the first four laps I would be as good as a pebble on the road.
Practice, practice, practice...it is so important in a competitive series like this. Alas, my schedule makes it so hard and my talent is so shy that I cannot make up for the lack of track time!
I will miss the next event as I will be on the road.

Ah, too bad bud. I was hoping now that we moved into 2nd in team points, we could focus on the No. 1 team. Maybe Tim would allow Scotty B or Tom Rue (although Tom is a paying member, he wouldnt need an OK) to sub for you? I'll have to ask. Scott was thinking of getting ARCA, maybe this will help him move it along. You had this happen to you last season. Top 5 in points, and real life beats ya back down, even after missing just 1 event. It's so hard to make up those missed points.

Congrats The Michael for yet another convincing victory. As for my race, what can I say? My teammate is the best setup guy around (see race winner) and when I have his setup under me I know I have a good car. I thought I had about a fourth or fifth place car probably today but the fact that it was exceptional on restarts helped me up to second with those two late race cautions. Bob and I had a pretty good stretch of side-by-side, nose-to-tail racing which was great fun. I eventually just settled in behind him and we were haulin` there for awhile. Conor and Bob pretty much got robbed by those late race cautions but it worked out for me ok.