It’s one of those times where I don’t even now where to begin. It was a rough
tough weekend, an all too familiar weekend, with too many reminders of last year. When we
left home we had no doubt that we could make it into the show on time. Victor wasn’t
cocky, just confident. Last year we went to our first race at Irwindale and we
weren’t allowed to practice because of Victor’s young age and when it came time
to qualify we were terrible. The B main wasn’t any better. So this race when we found
ourselves qualifying 24 out 26 we were disappointed. Last year we didn’t have any
data to work with but this year we didn’t have that excuse. Low funding has also been
an issue that we continue to deal with. We didn’t have the money to do any preseason
testing to shake down the truck and test any of our setups or the changes in the chassis
that our crew chief Chuck Lahorgue had made.
 Before
I get too far along I want to thank a few people. Brad Peterson and his son Carlton took
the time and money to come and assist us this weekend. They were both an invaluable help.
We would not have been able to run both entries without their services. They ran
themselves to death and were an amazing help. Chuck LaHorgue was someone that we know and
trust. When we asked him to assume his duties we were hopeful but I didn’t realize
how dedicated and hard working he really is. It will be a lot more work for Chuck to be
Victor’s crew chief because they don’t have the years together that Chuck and
Kyle had. Chuck was a steady and positive influence all weekend. Nothing slowed him down,
nothing got him down. Even when Victor and I were down Chuck kept us focused and taught us
a great amount in a little time. I hope we can keep Chuck interested in Victor’s
future for a long time and a friend forever.
We had missed almost all of practice on Friday due to motor problems. An all too familiar
broken rocker stud problem was the biggest issue. I was able to repair it but I knew that
there were still issues with this motor, but not enough time to do anything about it. We
needed to go and run the B main and make it in to the race. Victor was also running his
Late Model this weekend, which helped in many ways. He qualified 3rd fast in that car. So
between qualifying the truck and the time he had to go run the B main he ran the heat race
and Trophy dash in the car. This returned his confidence. Also at this time we found the
spring out of the perch in the left rear of the truck, an easy fix, but something that
would have changed the setup significantly. Victor ran very well in the B main and
finished fourth. We made the transfer. Our spirits returned, our confidence returned, it
would be a good weekend after all.
Lets finish the Late Model news. In his second ever start at Orange Show Speed way in a
Late Model Victor qualified third. He won his heat race. He finished second in the Trophy
dash and finished second in the feature. Because we were there primarily for the truck we
didn’t have time to make all of the changes we could have to the car to make it
handle better. This was the season opener for this track, so we are second in points and
first in the rookie points. This was the largest fieled of Late Models they have had on
one night in the last 15 years. We won’t have the funds to make all of the races,
which is a shame, I would like to see Victor get rookie of the year and take a shot at the
championship.
Back to truck action. We are now in the feature.
Getting the truck ready for the race we found the radiator cap leaking and put on a new
one and dismissed the problem as that. I knew that there was more, but no use worrying
about with little time to do anything else. We started 20th in a 22-truck field. That is
the most trucks they will start at this track at one time. Victor had chuck helping him on
the radio and the off we went. As the race progressed the truck was slowly losing power,
but Victor was slowly picking up spots. Chuck preached patience and running a clean race.
At this track you are bound to rub a little. I will have three body panels to repair and
repaint this week. Around lap 90 of the 100-lap race they put out the red flag.
Victor’s water temp had been creeping up all night, this wasn’t good news. We
were up to 260 degrees. When they stopped it shot up to 280 and we had to shut off the
truck for the flag, something we don’t like to do. With the automatic transmission we
are forced to use you can’t push start the truck, so if it won’t refire you are
done. While sitting there the truck boiled most of the water out, but we were up to 10th
position. The truck did restart, I think because the ring tension was gone due to
excessive heat. Now the question was would the motor last to the end of the race with most
of the coolant lying on the track? Yes Race Fans, It would. Victor finished 9th or 10th
unofficially. Check back in a couple of days and we will let you know the official
scoring.
After the race we all had a few minutes to talk. Victor and Chuck were all smiles knowing
that we will go to the Las Vegas Bullring next. If our scoring is verified this was the
best Oval Track finish in a Speed Truck for Victor. Our season is underway. Our confidence
has returned. We can see that Mr. LaHorgue is a great asset to our efforts. Life is good
again. I’m am bone weary tired, but I will recover. It will be interesting to see
what the in car camera saw, if they will share the footage with us.
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