Last indoor race of the Season

​We all had high expectations going into the weekend after the run at Allentown. Each time we hit the track we knew we were improving the car, and we were excited to see how we would end up at Atlantic City. Atlantic City is the biggest indoor race for the TQ midgets, and always brings some of the top names in motorsports. Even more reason to try to get the car in the A Main and have a good run.
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Unlike Allentown, we had an extra practice day. We spent Thursday shaking the car down from some of the changes we made as well as seeing how the track changes over the course of the day. This is one of the hardest parts of indoor racing as we have to constantly monitor the track including how much coke syrup they spray and which groove is becoming dominant. We were decently happy with the car we had for Thursday. We knew it was a solid piece that was repeating itself from the speed we showed at Allentown. We were just a little snug and made a small change going into Friday.

We had good speed in practice on Friday. We were not far off, but needed to change a lot to get us over the top and into the top 20 which we were shooting for. The car would be twitchy one run, then tight the next. We were close, but had to find the right change for us that would get speed. The time trials were grouped for 45 minutes, which allowed us to go out four times.The difficult part is based on the last run time which is the time you keep for your time trial time. In other words, if your first time was your fastest but you kept going out as the fastest then the time was voided. We continued using the sessions to try and find speed. We were flirting right around the top 28, but every run was the same exact time - 8.4. We just could not break the barrier of the 3’s which would of jumped us up some spots. Unfortunately this put us 35th. 

This year rather than having the regular format, they changed up the racing format to give some excitement to the fans. The top 28 who qualify get into two 20 lap qualifiers, and  the rest of the field goes to heat races to try and qualify into the 20 lap qualifiers. With us qualifying 35th we were in one of the two heat races in attempts to get into the 20 lap race. We made a spring change from the time trials to the race in hopes we would find the speed we needed. We started 5th and quickly got to 4th. For 8 laps we were right on 3rd places bumper but could not find the space to get around him. Knowing the top 7 moved on I was buying my time and making sure I kept the car in one piece.  We got a caution with 3 to go which bunched us back up. We fired off good on the start but unfortunately another car, that I rolled inside of, got impatient and pushed us into the tires. There is a fine line between saving your car and not racing at all. I did everything I should have to try and make the qualifier but also race. When we made contact, this broke the LF. I went down the back stretch and had to make a quick decision. The wheel was leaning up on the hood and it was not moving. We had a lap and half to go and I was in a qualifying spot. I was not giving up. I got the car to turn on three wheels somehow. I held onto 5th for the last lap and a half and locked us into the 20 lap race. Unfortunately after surveying the damage and the quick turn around we were not able to make the race. The damage was just too much and we had to get the car ready for Saturday.

Frustrating indeed, as I thought I was patient and doing it right, but that’s racing. You can only be so careful and can only control so much. My crew, once again, showed why they are great and prepared the car for the next day. I was ready to refocus, find more speed, and lock us in another A main.

With Saturday on a different schedule and having the practice Thursday, we were only able to have one round of practice. The car repeated most of the speed we had on Friday, but was diving right when I lifted and it felt a little off. We went over everything we fixed Friday night, made sure all of the front end settings were right, and changed a few things to try and fix that. I was overall happy with the car.

Unfortunately the bad lap in practice put us early in time trials. You always want to try to go later, but it was the hand we were dealt and we were ready to make the most of it. We laid down a good lap but it was only good enough for 35th again. We knew we had a car that could race, just didn’t get the lap I wanted.

This put us starting 6th in the 5th heat race. They were taking the top 3 to the A main so we had our work cut out, but I was more than ready to make that happen. We got a decent start and we're battling right where we needed. A few cars were bounced around during the race. This put us finding ourselves 4th to 7th and everywhere in between during the race. At one point we were on the bumper of 3rd which was the final transfer spot, but as it happens with indoor racing the track changed and our car just didn’t like it. We ended up crossing the line in 6th. We were in 5th for the last few laps but lost it right at the line. I didn’t expect the track to change that much and was not prepared for it. We were still right there with the pack and knew we had a car that could make it through the B main.

We made big spring changes for the B main to try and get grip. We started P5 and had to get up to top 2 to make the A main. I was ready to dig and make it happen. Right on the start we got into 4th. The driver ran out of talent the next corner and I looped it. 100% my fault. This put us in the back. I regrouped and got by a few cars quick. I regained my position at 5th, but couldn’t get to back to the front cars to move forward further. Frustrating end to our night, just did not have the overall speed or luck that we needed.

With that, it ended our indoor season. We had a great Saturday at Allentown, and just came up short on luck both Friday races. I can not thank my crew enough for all the hard work this indoor season. Thank you Nick G for allowing me to while this hot rod. We really showed everyone what we can do and I’m excited to continue making gains on it. Thank you Mark for making all the changes and getting it fine tuned every time we hit the track. Huge thank you to Timmy and David for all there help! Thank you Ashaway performance engines and Mertz racing for their support this indoor season. Without these sponsors we cannot do what we do.

We have some time in between seasons while racing continues. The next race is scheduled for April 27th at Claremont Speedway with the Nema midget! Make sure to keep an eye on social media as we start to put our schedule together.