Date: Monday, June 21, 2010 Posted By: Kevin England
This weekend was all about racing at the team was looking to capitalize on the current momentum. We went to the track on Saturday knowing that we could have the 44 car at the top of the points standings when all was said and done.
Saturday
On Saturday with a very strong team effort we had gotten my car ready with a new motor, the 44 car was already after no problems the week before and the 72 car was ready after the accident in the Heat Race a week before. In hot laps I didn't make one lap before i knew there was a major problem with the 13 car. The motor spun a bearing or 2 or maybe eight it was not going to make it, I lost oil pressure coming into the pits and parked it for the night. Bob was first to qualify and ended up with fast time with a 15.8 lap. Ray was the last to qualify and posted his fastest lap ever with a time of 16.6, good job Rook.
In the first feature Bob would make it up to second and had his eyes set on taking the lead when a caution came out. With the new rule of Double file restarts it put Bob to the outside of the 12 car of KC Foote. Bob would beat him into turn one and take the lead, he never looked back and would go on to make it 2 in a row. The cars lined up for the second feature and at 10:50 the cars took the track (I had already headed back to the shop so I wasn't there). Curfew is at 11 PM all races must be over by that time. I don't know how many laps were raced but KC Foote would end up with the in for Victory Motorsports and car owner Bill Rabideau (Sorry if spelled wrong Bill). BUT he would have his picture taken and celebrate and watch the win vanish as the track would decide to make it up instead of shorten race. KC keep your chin up and keep driving that tank the same way you have been, you'll get one this year, and from experience its AWESOME to win it again after you lose it. Ray ran very strong and ended up 9th or 10th in the first feature, every week he is getting better and learning something new.
THANK YOU!!!!!
Before I talk about the 50 lap feature on Sunday I want to take a minute and tell everyone about the guys behind the scenes, who get these cars on the track every week.
Without our sponsors we wouldn't even be on the track. Thank you very much Ivans Repair Service, Cyber1Programming, E&H Signs and Designs, WB Logistics, Duck In Waddle Out, Snap-On, Advanced Auto Parts, VRT Race Setups, Mom and Tim.
First is Ivan, he of course owns the 44 car that Bob drives, but he also goes out of his way to make sure all three cars are running at peak performance. Ivan is also the owner of Ivans Repair Service on East Main and Nazareth in Kalamazoo, if you need your street vehicle worked on call him, 377-8680, his labor rates are the lowest Ive ever heard of, and turn around time is exceptional.
Next is Don DeWitt, he is the owner of the 72 car driven by Ray DeWitt. Don is self proclaimed A.D.D. and is always positive, he goes over and beyond to make sure Ray has the best car possible. At the track if any of us need something the first person there is usually Don. Without Don we would be out a very nice person and great friend.
Next is Louis Metheny, Louis is Bob's Brother and My Uncle. Louis is a master when it comes to tires, he is one of the biggest reasons for the 44 cars recent success on the track. Louis has a big heart and a very competitive personality. Only thing I cant figure out is his favorite word seems to be "RIGHT". Louis has been working with Ray this year on how to drive the car, his patience is great and with is help and setup experience Ray will be just as fast someday as when Bob drove his car to a feature win.
Next is Russell Richter, Russ has been down to the shop countless times and stayed late to help. Russ always helps and never asks for a thing. He never complains and is always there if one of us needs a hand. I would have never made it to the track on Saturday without his help.
Next is Dan "Grandpa" Harrison, Dan is Ivans dad and by far one of our biggest cheer leaders, hes also our biggest critic. Believe me if we arent doing something right, he will tell us about it. But hes also got a big heart, and the kids love him, their always calling him Grandpa.
Next is Brad VanAvery and the entire VRT team. Brad has always helped Bob and me and goes out of his way to make sure my car is handling. Without Brad I don't know where I would be as a driver or a person. He has set up my car since day one. Ive said this 100 times, BRAD WILL MAKE YOU GO FASTER, just go talk to him, I see guys spending hundreds of dollars to have people set up their cars and still getting beat by Brads setups.
There are also a few people who can't help as much as they would like because of work or other things, but that does not make them any less a part of this team.
Tollie Wichtman has not been able to do as much racing this year because of work and focusing on his wife's career as a Lawyer. Karrie his wife just recently passed the bar exam. However when ever he can hes down at the shop or at the track with a wrench in his hand. Tollie is the other person on our team that is a wizard when it comes to tires.
Jason Freed is my best friend and has always been there when I need him. Him and Ivan are the two people I know no matter what I need there just a phone call away. Jason hasn't been able to help as much this year, but has still spent some long hours working on the car when he can.
Keith England is my brother and up to Saturday night he had never worked on a car in his life, but by Sunday afternoon he was listening to a motor he helped put together. He was up over 24 hours with me getting the car ready for Sunday.
Last but definitely not least is our wife's and girlfriends. Amanda is my wife, and she never complains about my long hours getting the car ready. Lisa is Ivan's wife, she has a really big heart and cares so much, she's the one who will stick up for any one of us if someone is talking bad. Jeanne is Bob's wife and my aunt, Aunt Jean as I call her is a family first person, she is always cheering both Bob and me when were on the track, and holy WOW can she cook some mean meatballs!
There are so many more people that I could spend all day writing about them, so if I missed you please call me and don't get mad!
Sunday's 50 Lapper
I stayed up all night working on the motor for the 13 car and with no time to spare and ALOT of help from my friends we got the car running in time. I think I should have known after loading it my night was gonna be filled with more bad luck. Loaded the car and the starter fell off, blew out a tire on the truck on my way to the track, more bad luck on its way.
In qualifying I would end up seventh quick and for the first time all year, out of the fast car dash. I was only two tenths off fast time if that tells you how close we all were. Bob was third quick (I think). Ray would end up qualifying for the B feature.
In the dash Bobs transmission started to go out. In the heat race I started last and had made my way to third by lap 3, when a leak from the back of the intake would send me to the pits. Sorry Ray I was working on fixing the oil leak and missed your race, and didn't hear how you did.
Before the feature we were still busting our butts, along with some help from Jim Galloway and Don DeWitt, to try and fix the oil leak which was coming from the oil pressure line. RIGHT before we went on the track we thought we had it fixed. When the race went green I was stuck in the bottom line, why the top line was the one on the move. At about lap 3 or 4 I came out of 4 and the transmission was toasted. Bob on the other hand was on a mission! Bob would go three wide and come out with the lead. He never looked back as he ran away with his second 50 lap street stock spectacular win, and third feature in a row. After the two wins Bob SHOULD/MAY BE leading the points standings.
Next week we will be running double features again, hope to see everyone at the races again! |
