Phoenix BugoRama 4-15-07

Well what can I say, always the bridesmaid never the bride. ?
In all seriousness, what a great weekend. Got to hang out with the gang and toss a few back at the host hotel Saturday for John Meade’s birthday celebration and Sunday what a day at the races. We went into qualifying not touching the car other than tire and fuel pressure adjustments. 1st round of qualifying posted an 11.05. Certainly one of the more frightening passes of the day as the wind helped the car skate a bit. 2nd round posted an 11.08 and 3rd 11.21??. All in all a little slow but we knew we were in the ball park.

We left the car as is and after the ladder change we were paired up with Shawn Bergerson for 1st round eliminations. I cut a decent light and at half track I could see him in my mirror. I slacked off the throttle a bit to ensure I didn’t break out and got the win light. Eliminations round 2 and I find myself paired up with Robert (Turbo Bob) Hemphill. Bob cut the better light but I was able to get out in front of him for a to close to call win.
In to round 3 and wow I get the bye. Now how often does that happen, a bye into the finals. I told the officials I was going to stage, break the beam and back up into the staging area as I was hearing a ticking noise from the tranny and wanted to save it for the finals.
So it’s on to the final round and I’m up against “Muffler Mike” Sheldon. I guess if I have to run him it best to do it in the finals rather than first round like usual.
I’m really starting to think today is my day as I pull into the water box. Car’s running well, I’ve been fairly consistent, and all I have to do it cut a good light. I stage, bring it up on the limiter and bluhhhhh it falls flat. Fortunately the timing of the tree was on what seemed to be a 4 to 5 second delay which allowed me to get back on the limiter. Unfortunately, It through me out of my timing and I was almost .090?? behind Mike on the launch. I managed to catch Mike by half track and we played the bracket game the rest of the way. I’m still not sure who took the stripe but Mike took the first win of the 2007 season as I broke out by .054. I do have to congratulate Mike. He was on his game all weekend qualifying #1 and cutting an .055 light and running on the dial in the finals.
Job well done and a win well deserved.
I want to say thanks to my family for letting me play, to Fig for being the best crew chief around, to Tim for coming out and crewing for us and the PRA and racers of the PRA for being the stand up, friendly people you are.
So a great start to the season and we’re looking forward to Sac.