7/3/06, My House – Bolton, CT - Guess what I got more of today? No, not money - got me some rain, a nice heavy rain – poured like banshee over in my part of the world. Lord knows my yard needed some more rain, I mean – I just started NOT to hear the sounds of squish squash when I ventured out in my yard. Before the rains came today I as able to mow my soggy lawn on my riding mower (let some air out of the rears), and I was able to “get r done”, except for the lower section of my yard that collects water – and the water it has been collecting – well, it’s not really going anywhere, so it’s starting to get a foul order. Going into the WMT tour event at Thompson last Thursday I was starting to get a little foul myself – since it’s been like forever since I’ve taken in some modified tour action. I had a race “jones” and I needed to fix it – anyone remember the classic Cheech and Chong song “Basketball Jones”? Funny stuff...

Anyway, the thought of another local race postponed by rain made me pretty friggin cranky...

6/29/06, At Work – Hartford, CT - So as I watched the radar Thursday afternoon, I knew as long as I didn’t see a massive cell heading toward the Putnam area I was going for it. By the time I made it up to Thompson, time trials were over and Mr. Jimmy Blewett, the 3rd car out - had taken the pole with a time of 19.078. Upon examining the times - they were as usual, fractions of seconds from one another and nine good cars went home.

After scouting out the pit area looking for clues – I sought to take up residence in turn 3 on the backstretch. My route heading to the back of the track found me walking through some nice wet, muddy grass – the same kind of swampland I have in my own backyard. Two steps into it you’d think I’d turn around – no, not this fool, I walked straight though it all, for about 20 steps - I thoroughly soaked my kicks and they stayed nice and moist for the remainder of the evening. Nice move dummy...

Well, on the backstretch where I had such a great time taking in the better part of last years 300 – I set up camp. As I looked toward the grandstands I saw a peek of that red/yellow ball in the sky we call the sun – I had forgotten what it looked like, but it looked to me like we were going to get this race in - which made this race fan pretty happy. Over in turn 3 is where I hung my pack, I had a fine vantage point to see the Mods get through the corner. The feeling you get as the ground ponders race at you and enter the turn is awesome. I later ventured to the middle of the backstretch and I must say, it was even more impressive as you get the cars going full bore, blazing past you. Obviously the one thing lacking back there is the scoreboard – but, all the more reason for me to invest in a headset I suppose. It’s an exciting view back there, try and check it out for size at the next practice session.

The race moved at a pace I was very comfortable with and even though I lost track of the laps I had a good idea where the race was. It seemed many throughout the field were hanging back or feeling it out for a while as the cars up front – Beers, Flemke and Civali ran a solid pace. It was great, close racing I had witnessed and I was thrilled with amount of close passing, lack of slamming and banging and lapped car courtesy. While some would argue that our tour races should be 125 to 150 laps, I had no problem with the 100 lap distance. I firmly believe that future schedules should include races of 100 laps for several reasons; race strategy, cost savings (tires), time of race and the urgency to get to the front make for a good race. I think it also challenges the teams on the set up for a 100 lapper – I think some of your front runners seem to have figured out the 150 lap distance. In any event, it’s different than your standard issue 150 lapper and I think the schedule needs that variety.

Once Todd Szegedy put his #2 Wisk/Snuggle “clean machine” out in front, it was clear he had the car that belonged there, looking stout to the end. It was great to see the Mike Smeriglio owned, Chassis Dynamics, CJM Racing Engines powered “Mustang” and a reassembled team back in victory lane. They sure were a happy bunch, it appeared there was quite a contingent of #2 fans there at Thompson – they sure picked the right night to attend. The #2 supporters were still excited as the car rolled out of post race inspection. I imagine it was a fun ride home for the busload that came to cheer Todd and team on.

Hats off to your 2nd and 3rd place finishers, Ed Flemke and James Civali – both sporting Race Works, Bob Bruneau powered creations. Eddie looked strong throughout the race and I know the Gary Teto team was very pumped up after their second top 3 in a row. Don King was all smiles post race as leading rookie contender James W. Civali ran an outstanding race. James has done a credible job so far in establishing himself as a top contender, one capable of racing hard and clean.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the #31 of Tony Ferrante, Jr in the staring lineup with a solid qualifying effort – I believe Tony was caught up in some trouble at the lap 47 marker and came home a disappointing 34th. I hope to see the Ferrante rig in the pits again this season and back for a few more races.

How bout Richard Savory in the #20, qualifying 7th – not too shabby...

During the race I caught the #41 getting loose coming out of turn 2. Reggie corrected, corrected again and made a remarkable save but some cars behind him were not so lucky. I believe at that at that time the #0 of Danny Sammons was sitting on the entry lane to the track from the pits in turn two – from where I was standing it looked like he was very fortunate not to get hit as cars were scrambling and sliding. I thought it was a tense moment.

Nice run by Anthony Sesley who finished 15th after starting 30th – at Stafford on the 4th, even better – finished 8th, started 31st.. Let’s watch this guy...

Post race at Thompson I saw one of my hero’s as a youngster – the Kid from Fitchburg – OK, so he’s not a kid anymore but Ronnie Bouchard looked to be in great spirits after the car with his name on the rear quarter performed well and came home in second place. I know Ronnie takes in a race or two up in Loudon, but it was refreshing to see him back at a track where he ran up front so many times.

Take a good look at Ole Blue next time around – the front end and hood look to be out of High School metal shop – but man, does that car move. Eric Beers, BRE Racing – I’m a fan...

A good night at Thompson International Speedway – I’m glad I made the trip and I don’t fault anyone who stayed home – it felt like rain the entire time I was there.

Now – whether or not I made it to Stafford on the 4th of July didn’t actually pain me as much as I had thought. I hadn’t missed a tour race at Stafford in a very long time – but the Arute’s didn’t check with me and my calendar before they booked the make up date on the 4th. Oh well – no bother - I decided to make the family event my priority. Going to a Goldy gathering at my cousin’s house was the decision I happily made. Truth is – there’re will be many more races to attend and as a wise racer once told me – “there ARE other things more important than racing” – there sure are, and I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with my 3 cousins, Aunt and a whole clan of little ones over a cookout and drinks.

See ya at NHIS under sunny skies.