Dear Race Fans, It was a challenging weekend for the Parker Farms/Mondello Tech/LaHorgue Race Cars. Early in the race we cut a tire down. By the time it could be changed under green flag conditions our night was over, we were 6-9 laps down. Victor went back on the track a number of laps down to put in time and salvage the points we could. The night turned into a wreck fest. Chuck told Victor not to race with anyone, just put in the time. No sense in tearing up the truck. We have no idea at this time where we officially finished due to all of the trucks wrecking and having mechanical problems. We also weren’t the only people to have cut tire problems. Taking that into consideration we decided to continue to gain points. Victor has matured a lot and is very good at following Chuck Lahorgue's instructions and not let the situation get to him. I’m very proud of his progress and the relationship between driver and crew chief. Victor was very calm at Shasta in the fuel cap incident and stayed calm and listened to Chuck and worked his way forward. He gained a lot of respect from the Westcar officials by doing this. Through all of this I realize that inspite of the challenges and problems, I am a lucky man. I’m consumed with the daily problems of readying race cars and worrying to death about where the money will come from and if am I making the right decisions for all of this. On the long ride home today I stopped and thought long enough to realize that I do have problems that could end my sons career before he can realize his potential, but some of my friends are fighting life and I wish that there was something that I could do to help. I also have a great wife that tolerates Victor and I through this racing business and she does all of the crummy work that needs done but doesn’t get any glory. I know that my wife would like to go to a couple of races and sit in the stands and watch her son with out having to run a stop watch or video camera. Just watch him race. I also have a son that works very hard at his schoolwork while racing and continues to make me proud by just being a good person. On fathers day I’m also thankful that somehow Chuck LaHorgue came along and has helped us learn and grow as a team. If we can keep him and find the other things we need to continue I know that he and Victor will have many more wins than flat tires. I of course am grateful to those people that do see a future for Victor and do what they can to contribute in many different ways to keep us going. The Parkers, the Mondellos, Jerry Auck from the Chrome Oasis and many more are constantly in our thoughts as we are eternally in debt for their efforts. There are more people than I can mention today, so keep checking that sponsor page on the website where we try to honor the efforts of all of the friends that work hard to keep Victor at the track. I can only ask that these fine people continue to support our efforts. |
