Team 43 made the trip to Superior, WI yesterday for the third night in the week long tour. Again, my dependable friend Dano kept me up to date. The guys did run Wilma again and Grady took her to a 2nd fastest time for qualifying. The guys were excited and so was I. In the heat race Jeremy started 4th row in and finished 4th. The only text I got at this point was that they had used too much gear and were making adjustments for the feature. Jeremy started in the 18th spot and was moving around cars making his way to the front. With 33 to go Grady had moved up to 13th and was still going forward. Dano left me hanging at this point. By the time 23 minutes had passed and I hadn’t heard a word I couldn’t stand it any more. I requested an update and Dano finally let me know that they had finished in 11th. When Jeremy called he said that if he had had another ten laps he could have moved up even more. Wilma was coming on strong and he would have liked to have seen what she could do. The guys seemed happy with the finish and were packing up to make the trip to Cedar Lake for the next two nights. If they stick to the plan Red Thunder will be coming back out tonight.

Wednesday night the crew was in Brainerd, MN and I got my race updates from Dano by way of text message. (Good thing my daughter taught me how.) The first decision the guys made was which car to race. They stuck with the original plan and unloaded Wilma. According to Dano time trials went well and Grady pulled in a 6th fast time for the night which started Jeremy third in the heat. I’m not sure what happened next. It was one of two things. Either the guys missed the car set up or Wilma was having an attitude problem. (Probably similar to my 16 year old daughter.) Anyway, Jeremy finished 7th in the heat and had to run the B Feature. I’m not sure where he finished in the B but it got him into the Feature. The Outlaw started 22nd and had moved up to 12th with 22 laps to go. He picked up two more spots but with 10 laps to go started to fade. When it was all over Jeremy had finished 15th and our friend Chad Simpson had scored another win. The crew stayed in Brainerd Wednesday night and kept an eye on the rain. When I talked to Dano at 12:43 p.m. they were headed to Superior, WI and still watching the weather. Word is that Wilma is coming out again tonight and the guys have a new game plan. I wish them all good luck and will be waiting for the race report.

The Outlaw and Team 43 headed to Farley Tuesday afternoon without the Sheriff. I stayed here this week but want to let everyone know how it was going. (Grady talked to me for 3 minutes 51 seconds before he had to get back to work. At least he didn’t voice mail me.) Between the four letter words I found out that the car was bad in time trials due to a carburetor issue. After more four letter words I found out that Grady moved up in the heat race but needed a different gear so wasn’t able to qualify and went to the B feature. From here things improved and Red Thunder started going forward. Jeremy pulled out a 3rd to make it into the feature. Starting 20th and moving up to 8th in 15 laps the Outlaw was on the move. (This is when I really wish I could have been there. I love seeing Grady move through traffic.) About this time Red Thunder broke a left upper control arm and ended Jeremy’s night. He was scored 17th with only nine cars finishing the feature. Tonight the crew is in Brainerd, MN.

As we head into next week we are all anxious to get back to the race track. Something about the dirt under my feet and the sound of roaring motors gives me a feel like no other. I know it’s hard for anyone not involved in the sport to understand where the thrill is but it is really something I enjoy. Jeremy is getting ready to set off on a week long trip with Dano and Brent. Jason and I plan to join them in Farley on Tuesday night and the guys will continue on to Brainerd MN, Superior WI and finish up at Cedar Lake on Friday and Saturday. Jason and I plan to meet the guys in Cedar Lake for the weekend. We are looking forward to getting Red Thunder out on the track for the first time this year and giving her a good work out.

Like a lot of people I know, Team 43 has regrouped and we have tightened our belts a little for this season. I’m sure that we aren’t the only one that have taken a look at the schedule and opted out of some of the races that are long drives for a one night show. Jeremy has put together a list of forty plus races and is looking forward to the racing season. Grady has also found a little more time to go to the racetrack with some of our other friends on Friday and Saturday night to help them out. Al Johnson and Riley Larson have both had good runs in the last few weeks and we would all like to congratulate them on their hard work and wish them continued success.