This is going to be a long one, so settle in and enjoy or print it off and take it the reading room with you.

With just returning from the Knoxville Banquet, I figured now would be as good as time as any to reflect on the 2007 season. I thought about writing this in the order it happened, but I think I will jump around a little, and keep you interested. Speaking of the Knoxville Banquet, it was a very good time, and we were surprised and honored to be the recipients of the 410 Owner of the Year Award. Jack received many great prizes including a new set of heads, a new HANS device and a new shield for his driveline. Knoxville really takes cars of their drivers.

The year was filled with many ups and downs, and after truly thinking about it, thankfully there was more “ups”. Some of the downs would include watching Trish plant her brand new mount in the front straightaway at I-80 her very first night out, thankfully though she rebounded well, and won the next 2 “A” Features. Jack would struggle with 360 motor problems early in the season, and would miss running up front in some good ASCS races. Knoxville had its share of downs as well, with the very worst being when Jack went for a wicked flip in turns 1 and 2. This was the only time this past season, I was really scared for my kids safety, that wreck looked really nasty, and when they told me Jack was OK, I had some thanking to do, not only to the big guy above, but to the great safety personal at Knoxville, and also to the manufactures’ of the awesome safety equipment we use in both of ours kids sprint cars. You cannot put a price on your loved ones life!

ADVICE - Buy and maintain TOP NOTCH safety equipment.

Jack would tumble again at Knoxville, this time in turn 4 where the ride wasn’t quite as wild, he was running 3rd or 4th and we believe he would have been a top 5 car that night, but it wasn’t meant to be. He was able to finish the race; the car had only sustained minor damage. In mid July we watched Jack time in great and run a good heat race, and was ready to transfer into the “A” when he blew a rear tire on the last corner of the last lap of the heat race, and pretty much tore up every moving part on the rear of the car, there just wasn’t enough time and we missed the “A” main. Jack didn’t miss many “A’s” at Knoxville; I think 2 or 3, so not bad for a Rookie. Our first Knoxville Nationals was definitely a learning experience, we were hoping for better, but we have our sights set on next year. The bad luck monkey hung on our back a lot at Knoxville, but we have no regrets, it was a great learning experience, and by far is the very best track to race at, the track workers, the racers, the fans and even the town’s people are some of the very people around.

Jack’s bad luck would continue right up into the end of the season, where once again, we got educated at the Short Track Nationals, although this year, it really looked like we were going to make the show, at lease it wasn’t like last year, where Jack wrecked in the very first race, this time it was the final qualifying race, and all he needed to do was finish to make it to the “A”; but another “over aggressive” driver changed that fate for Jack on the first lap, where again, he went for a wild ride. We all licked our wounds and headed south for one more, where it was pretty much the same story, at Cowtown, where Jack was really coming on strong, but in turn 3 maybe too strong, and backed it into the corner wall hard, completely breaking the rear of the frame in half….and that’s how it ended for Jack.

Back to Trish, I would have to say the # 1 “downer” for Trish happened at her very first Knoxville 305 race, where she was leading the race, with 3 laps to go and would make history as the first female to win an “A” Feature, only to have it all taken away with a rear flat tire from running over debris on the track, that one was a heartbreaker, because she had truly raced to the front and was clearly the fastest car on the track, even though she finished 7th after racing from 19th on the restart in just 3 laps, she definitely turned some heads once again. Trish’s luck never seemed to improve after that, so about mid season she decided what the heck and we put her in a 360. Her very first 360 ride was sponsored by Randy Lawrence and Toby Chapman at the ASCS race at Junction Motor Speedway, where she made the “A” main, and her very first night out. She would make another “A” main at an ASCS race in Aug at I-80 speedway, where she was running good, and after making a pass for the 11th place spot, another car took her out. She was not happy. She ran some more 360 races at Knoxville, where we always seemed to miss the set up for her, and she never had the good fortune of making an “A” main.

Obviously, we had some bad luck as can see in the paragraphs above, but I really can’t complain too bad, as both of my racers are healthy and unhurt, so that makes everything perfect !

Now on to the “Ups”, which there are many.

Trish’s came in the form of two “A” Feature wins at I-80 early in the season, and a good showing at Knoxville her first night out. Trish would cap off her 305 racing at Knoxville with a great showing at the 305 Nationals in late Sept, where she had two top 5 finishes and made it to the podium the first night. In consideration that Trish was racing against some very seasoned 360 and 410 racers at this event she did GREAT! She jumped in the 360 a few times this past season as I mentioned above, and was able to make the “A” Feature at both ASCS races she raced at. Another high point for Trish came at the very beginning of 2007, where Trish piloted a midget at the Chili Bowl, and even though she never made the main show, or even got close, she once again turned many heads. She jumped in a midget with no experience or even any practice and after only a few laps, drove it like she had been racing one all season. She really looked good and missed transferring numerous times by just one spot, I guess that bad luck monkey was with us there too. Trish had a couple of other “UPS” that came in other forms other than on the track, she was offered a full 410 ride with the All-stars and was offered a full ride in a Midget at the Midget Nationals in Knoxville. She declined the 410 offer, as it required way too much traveling, and would have taken her to far away from home, but the midget experience was good for her and she had a blast. If you have ever seen a midget run around Knoxville, you will know exactly what I mean…it is crazy fast! A few other “good things worth mentioning, would be Finish Line racing apparel providing Trish with a custom made Fire suit for the 2007 season, meeting and becoming good friends with Shane Huffman at the PRI show and all the great things that Chris Moses and NOS did for her and the entire team.

Jack’s “Ups” were delayed, and I was really beginning to wonder if there would be any, but about mid summer, late July; early August, it finally started happening. I would have to say the high point from my point of view happened in the first 2 weeks of August, where Jack went on a winning streak in his 360 and won three “A” Features in a row. It is a toss up, on which one was the best. It all started in late July when we finally attended our first ASCS race in like 6 weeks; scheduling conflicts had kept us from 2 shows in June. We were all a little apprehensive about returning to the big ½ mile at Denison. IA. As Jack had really struggled with this track both times he was there last year, but this year, oh my, what driving a 410 at Knoxville can do to a 360 driver. Jack was a totally different driver, and dominated this track now, he ran away with the Pole Dash, and was a very strong 2nd place finisher, and had it not been for a couple of yellows, I believe he would have passed Brian Brown for his first ASCS Victory, but little did we know; that it was lurking right around the corner. Just three days after returning from the Knoxville Nationals we returned to I-80 for a Tuesday Night race, and I believe the “Hottest” race of the season, it was absolutely miserable. But Jack made that hot miserable night of racing into one of the best in his and the entire team’s racing career, where he claimed his first ASCS “A” Feature win, passing the likes of Shane Stewart and Chuck Swenson for the win. Jack was bad fast, and believe me, a lot of people took notice, when you race with someone like Shane Stewart and win, you have most definitely accomplished something. So now we are all just floating, and can’t really imagine that it could get much better, but it did. The weeks after the Knoxville Nationals, the track at Knoxville is always closed, so Jack had it planned from early in the season that this would be the Saturday that he would return to Eagle for his first race of the season there. He was excited and felt like with what he had learned there last year, and the time he had spent at Knoxville this year, would make him a very dominant driver, and let me tell you, HE WAS RIGHT! He won the “A” Feature at Eagle on his first night back, and did it in a very dominating fashion. Now with this win, his 2nd in just 5 days, he knew he must return the following week for the Nebraska Cup Race, and again, he dominated and made history as the youngest driver to ever win the Nebraska Cup. 3 “A” Feature wins in just 2 weeks in his 360, IT WAS AWESOME! We had one more ASCS race in Cameron, Mo and once again, even after starting 14th, Jack had an awesome showing and finished 2nd in the “A” main. What a streak, definitely an “UP” for the entire team. We headed to Texas in mid Oct for the Winter Nationals at the Devils Bowl, and even though we did not win, Jack still had a great showing with two very solid top tens, making the pole dash both days and winning the Pole dash on the final day, and being pole setter for the “A” main event.

Some other items worth mentioning would be the addition of our new Crew Chief, Wayne Priddy, who we wished would have been around for the entire season, he is the BEST, and without him, a lot of our success would have been limited, we are really looking forward to the upcoming season, with him in the “Control Tower”. Another great short term addition to our team was our new Australian Friend Brodie Tulloch who lived, raced and celebrated with us for 2 months this past summer. It was a pleasure having Brodie around, as we all learned a lot form the young Aussie, we look forward to his return next year. Randy Lawrence was another great addition, not only as a sponsor, but a friend and a great Media director.

The best way to sum up what Jack did this season, would be to say that our time served at Knoxville made Jack an outstanding 360 driver. Another Crew Chief had told us about 2 years ago, that if we wanted to make Jack a great 360 driver, put him in a 410 at Knoxville his first year, we thought about it, and even doubted it, but decided to listen to him, and do it, and we have NO regrets.

So there you have it, and as you can see the “Ups” paragraphs are bigger than the “Downs” so that is a good thing, but to any of you who have anything to do with racing, you know that this sport is all about Ups and Downs, it has to be one of the most fickle sports out there. But we love it, and I’m pretty sure we are hooked on it, just like drinking or gambling.

So much of what we did this past season would not have been possible with out our family, crew and sponsors. So at this time I would extend a thank you to every one of them and if I should miss anyone, please know I didn’t do it knowingly.

FIRST AND FOREMOST OUR FAMILY

Our Son and Daughter and our Drivers, Jack and Trish, you both make us very proud, we were definitely blessed with both you. Thanks to both you, for being so supportive of the each other.

Adrian, Our other daughter, who’s presence on the track was missed this past season, but we are so proud of you; with what you have done, by completing your hair college education and turning you life around so well….You are our TRUE SHINING STAR, and we can’t thank you enough for everything you do for all of us.

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Lorretta, for traveling and following our racing careers like you do and the awards you give us for just finishing a heat race. THANK YOU!

Grandpa Jack and Grandma JoAnn, for always following our racing careers and knowing we can count on you to take care of things at home when we have to travel, without you doing this, we would not be able to go as much as we do….THANK YOU !

OUR CREW

Wayne Priddy, Our Crew Chief - Words can not describe how thankful we are to have you around. You make it all happen, THANK YOU and we are looking forward to next year.
Mike Visocky - We can always count on you to be around when we need you…you are definitely Jack’s right hand man. Thanks for everything.
Jason Iverson - Even though you missed out on some late season races, you too, are one Jack can always count on, Thanks for everything you do at the shop and at the track.
Paul Swanson - We really missed you these last couple of months, but regardless of what you think you were a huge asset to our team and we loved having you around. Thanks
Dave (Tire guy) - You came aboard mid season and really turned our tire program around a Knoxville. It was a pleasure getting to know you. Thanks for all your great help.
Derrick - Who would have thought Jack would have met a kid at Sideways and then made him a crew member! You always did a great job of keeping the car clean and looking great. Thanks for everything and keep your goals high, you will make it to them someday….remember…believe in yourself, you’re a great guy!
Aaron - Even though you came aboard late in the season, it was a pleasure to have you around. Thanks for everything.

To those of you I didn’t mention, when you may have lent a hand….Thank You

OUR SPONSORS

3 D Auto Transport, Inc. - With out them, none of this would happen. Thanks
Trail Performance Coatings - Josh, ours Cars and their components always looked the best, and we owe that to you…Thank You!
Eckley Racing Engines - Jay, we can always count on the power to be there! Thanks for following us this past season, we really appreciated it.
Eagle Chassis - Jerry, Thanks for the great performing chassis once again.
Keizer Wheels - Wade, once again you made our season a success. Thanks for everything!
RMS - Randy, I don’t even know where to start, you friendship, your sponsorship and just all the little things you do. We can’t thank you enough!
Langfeldt Overhead Doors - Joe, Thanks for all the great vinyl jobs you provide for our great looking cars. We really appreciate it!
Thorpe’s Body Shop - Blake you always make ours cars shine the best. Thanks for the great paint jobs!
NOS – Chris, thanks for all the great apparel and drinks you provided us with, it was a blast getting to know you!
The Sprint Car Forum - For coming aboard this past season with Trish…Thanks Guys!
Culver Construction - Thanks for being the high bidder on EBay. We are looking forward to next season with you as well!

OTHER THINGS WORTH MENTIONING

We met many new Drivers and teams again this year, it was fun parking next to Randy Anderson and his crew at Knoxville this year, and it is always a pleasure when we get to visit with our friends from Minnesota, The Winters. Our other favorite female driver Natalie Sather is always a welcome sight, and we were thrilled to see her get the Midwest ASCS Championship. Clint Gardner and his Dad were a lot of fun to be around, and even though it came too late, Dusty Zomer and his crew are a blast. Returning to Eagle was fun, and getting to hang around Jeff Griffis, Trevor Grossenbacher and Gage Dorr was nice once again. We wish we could have spent more time with the Chapman team and the Pace team as they are always a blast and considered to be some of our very best racing friends.

The friendships we made at Knoxville will not go unnoticed either, the one that sticks out the most, would be Mike and Nancy, who introduced themselves to us the very first night at Knoxville and always came and seen us every night after that. They made us feel so welcome, even to the point where we actually had Trish stay the night with them a few times. Mike and Nancy; we are honored to have you as our friends. Thanks for everything you did. Dave, the guy on the golf cart who always made sure we got our good parking spot, and reminded me so much of my dear Grandpa Lou, you know, every time you gave me one of those big hugs, I know where it was sent from. Thanks Dave, you too, made us feel so welcome. Ryan, the guy at the gate, who always had a big smile on his face when we pulled in. Thanks for always being so nice to us. To Justin Zoch for always mentioning Jack and Trish in his articles and always talking so highly of them, when you announced. Tony Bokhoven, for always saying that little extra about Jack and Trish while announcing, and the really nice things you said about Jack at the Knoxville Banquet. Dwayne, you too always made us feel so welcome, and all you did for Adrian this past season, we appreciate is so much. And to Christy Woodruff, you gave us the best thing we got from Knoxville, our new dog, “Foxy Knox”, that dog has brought us so much love and joy, we can’t thank you enough. You too always made a point to come and visit with us, and make us fell so welcome. Thanks Christy also for all the hard work you do for the KRCO. A special thanks to that organization as well, the Knoxville Racing Charitable Organization, who provides so nicely for all the drivers. Thank You.

To Knoxville Raceway in general, thanks for the great racing venue, the safety you provide and the great prizes you award. You are most definitely the best Sprint car track in the world. Thank you.

I warned you, that this was going to be a long one!

If along the way, I forgotten anyone, please know I did not intend to, and to you I say Thanks.

Last weeks trivia winner(s) was Blake Thorpe who answered first, but we would expect he would know this as his took Jack to a lot of his races that first year, and the other winner was Nick Bryan who answered first with the correct answer, which is, The late Nick Bellino nicknamed Jack the “Gasman” in his first year of racing a Junior Mini Sprints, he would watch Jack race and said we have to name him the “Gasman”, because he really gets on the gas. The nickname has always been special to all us after tragically losing Nick Bellino a few years back.

Upcoming events:

December 6-8 - P.R.I. show in Orlando, Fl
January 8-12 - Chili Bowl
February - Racing at Speedweek in Florida

With Thanksgiving on Thursday, I wish everyone a Happy Holiday, and remember to try and be thankful for the things that really matter, such as good health, your family and friends and of course…Racing !

Happy Thanksgiving,

Mama Gas