The last race of the year was a little nerve-racking.......I had to have a good finish or the #7 car could catch me for 2nd place in the points standings......I went out and qualifed 3rd......In the heat race I started 4th  and quickly moved to 2nd. The #7 car started in front of me and ended up finishing in front of me, winning the heat! That made him a few points closer to me, I had to do well during the Main to keep him in 3rd place. The Main event started out well with us in 6th and the #7 in 4th. On lap 2, I was up to 5th and by lap 8, I had passed the #7 and was in 3rd. We continued racing until a caution near the end of the race. The #39 car had gotten loose and spun and the #7 clipped him. They both had to go off the track with the #39 being towed off. I felt much better not having to worry so much about the #7. They spent quite a while cleaning the track and there was kitty litter covering the outside lane.......The cone came out for the double file restart. I choose the oustide of row one. Normally this is a good move but with all the kitty litter on the outside groove, I just didn't have enough grip to get around the outside......I ended up finally getting to the inside in the 4th position......on the white flag lap the #10 car, which is a Super stock that they let race in this class, a grace race for this driver, slowed on the back stretch to let the top 3 cars go by to let them get the credit. So I ended the race in 3rd and ended my season 2nd in points and Rookie of the Year!!!! It was an AWESOME year and I could have never imagined having such a great car and finishing so high in the points! I wanna say THANKS to all my sponsors who gave me what I needed to make this such a great year! My Dad and Larry too!

I had been waiting a long time for these High School Team races. Oakland was in the lead going in. We may be a little school but we have some great racers. My buddy Daniel and I have been racing whatever we could since we were just little fellers. Our teammate Monte had only raced once before, but his dad used to drive a sprintcar  and I think some of his talent rubbed off on him, because he is great for a beginner! Our race was on the 'Mini Bristol' track and the #2 car started out front and I was in 5th. It didn't take long and the Oakland Team was in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We race Hornets in the High School races and since I sold mine last year, I was in a borrowed car, thanks Jeff, and it was a fast one. I made it around Daniel up to 2nd. I couldn't get around the #2 car. With our team placing 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, we knew we had won the Championship!!!  Way to go Oakland Oaker!!!

As for my Street stock, I qualified 2nd. The #39 car was going 'Slideways' during his qualifing run and after quals he came down to our pit and ask for help with his setup. I went down and helped him set his stagger......LOL.....15 year old helps veteran sprintcar driver with his set up ;-) .....I've learned a lot from my crew chief Larry........There were a lot of races (14), so there were no Trophy dashes. In the 8 lap heat race I started 9th with a few new cars choosing to start scratch behind me. It was hard to make it thru traffic and I never could get around the #39 car and ended up 4th.I guess my help with his setup helped him more than I wanted.......I decided I needed to change my set up then, lowering my tire pressure but keeping the stagger the same........In the Main I started in the same spot. Going into turn 1 on the first lap, the #71 fast qualifier, who started outside of me, thought he was gonna win the race on the first lap. He went wide on the outside, then tried to come down in the middle between turns 1 & 2. He was a few cars ahead of me, when he came down and clipped or got clipped by another car and ended up sideways.......Causing everyone to Brake Hard! The car he wrecked in front of, helped him off the track into the infield by keeping his foot in the throttle.........LOL.....After the caution, we restarted and I was having a lot of trouble getting by the #39. It was a great battle and I finally got around him, I know my change had helped me and was in 2nd about 1/4 lap behind the #77. One of the new cars(#4d) was getting lapped and was traveling on the outside. I made it to the bumper of the #77, which meant my car was really fast because I usually can't catch him if he gets a big lead. I had to pass him on the outside and as I took the higher groove, I lost grip in turns 1 & 2 sending the rear of my car around. I caught it before it spun, but the #77 had got away and I had to try to catch him again. In a few laps I was back on his bumper. This time I would try to pass in turn 4. Same thing happened, as I took the outside lane coming to the white flag, the car started to come around.....I just let off, not wanting to wreck my car......I followed him to a 2nd place finish...... We later found out, just as I had suspected there was fluid on the track, probably from the #4d. We are 2nd in points behind the #77 and are 34 points ahead of the #7, with one race left on the 27th......I can't catch the #77 because he is to far ahead in points. I've got to work hard to keep the #7 behind me.......

Until next time, Benjer #81

Car...........You're Lucky enough!

This Week we were the Fast Qualifier with a 17.45 sec. run. With the invert we started in the back. The Fast heat race was only 6 laps and the #38 car started out front and held on to win, we finished 3rd. The Main Event  our # 81 car  was fast but was pushin'  a little. We started out, at the back and had to work my way thru traffic but by lap 6 we were in the lead. The #77 finally caught me around lap 15. I was holding him off and the caution came out with 3 to go because of a wreck. At our track we have double file restarts and they put a cone out and you get to choose if you want to start on the inside or the outside. Of Course being in the lead I started on the inside and the #77 picked the outside. The #77 is a great driver and has a lot of horsepower, but I think I have a better set-up. On the restart I drove it hard into turn 1, with him right next to me, my car stuck, his didn't and I took the lead in turn 2 and drove my line and he couldn't get around me. I ended up with my 3rd win of the year! One of my sponsors who hadn't been to a race all year and was so impressed he said he wanted his name on the whole side of the car next year!  The points results arent up yet........if I'm not in 2nd yet I'm alot closer than I was.



Til next time, Benjer

 We started off the night not qualifing as well as we have been. Not sure why,  maybe just  didn't get in to the  corner as well. We timed in with a 17.502 sec. run which put us 5th. The Heat race was short but good. We ended up about a foot behind the first place #39 car when we crossed the finish line. If it would have been a lap longer I think  I could have got around him.......In the Main Event  I started in 3rd and within 3 laps I had gotten around the two cars in front of me and started leaving the pack. The # 39 car was fast enough so the others cars had trouble getting around him. Finally with about 10 laps to go the #77 had gotten around and began to catch me. With 3 or 4 laps to go, he was challenging me for the lead. I continued to hold my line and he just couldn't get clear in front of me. With 2 to go, coming in to turn 2 he quickly shot up the track and he caught it before it went into the wall but he lost ground and I continued on for my 2nd win of the season. We talk to him after the race and he said he had lost his power steering. We had to laugh because at practice 2 days before my power steering had gone out and I had replaced the pump the day before...........Guess we were lucky!

I'm still 3rd in points but I gained on 2nd place and am currently 73 points out of 2nd............3 races to go!

After spending most of the week trying to figure out the vibration in the car. We replaced the Right Axle and borrowed a Driveline to see if that was the cause of the problem. During Hot Laps I discovered we still had the vibration when we hit 6000 RPM. We're thinking this new axle is also bent!  Even with the vibration we still continued to improve our qualifing time, but then so did all of our competition. This week we timed in at 17.283 sec. puting us in 4th. During the Trophy dash the #65 car got the lead and was all over the track so I had trouble getting around. We ended up 2nd in the 4 lap event. For the Heat Race  I had to start behind the # 65 and we got to the front but again I couldn't get around him without bumping him. My car was faster but I couldn't get around in the 8 lap race so again another 2nd place finish! For the 20 Lap Main Event I had to start  5th behind the #65 again. We got held up in slow traffic and soon the # 39 was out front, for 11 laps, with the #71 behind him, the #65 was still in front of me, I was working every lap to get around him. Finally, coming out of turn 4 he got loose and I stuck my nose to the inside, he came down on my right front and almost spun before he caught it and got it under control  at the start finish line. By this time the # 71 had caught and passed the #39 and they were way out in front. Now free to drive my own line and really turn the 81 loose I soon caught the #39. I was really gaining on the #71 but the laps ran out before I could reach him and for the third time in the same night I finished Second.  Not Bad but with a few more laps I might have been telling you about my second win ;-)

I'm still 3rd in points,  88 points behind 2nd and 46 points ahead of 4th. With only 4 more races its gonna be tough to move up but we are gonna keep trying till the end!

Til next time, Benjer

Looks like the Lord was watching over us at the Preacher Feature Race............

The 81 car was Hooked Up for Qualifing. We went out 7th of 10 cars and qualified 2nd behind the # 71 car. Our times keep improving and this week our time was 17.432 sec. The heat race was an exciting one. I started out 5th out of 6 and by lap 4, I was up to 3rd, then  #77 kissed the wall and I had to slow way down to avoid wrecking him. By the time I got around to the front stretch I was able to pass him but the #7 was way out front. There was no way to catch him, because it was only an 8 lap race. We ended up 2nd in the heat race. I was happy with that. When the Main Event started I was on the inside of the 3rd row (5th). This week our race was run at the same time as the Super Stocks. Two races at one time. The 81 was running great. There were a few cautions and each time we had the cone restart I started 3rd on the inside of the second row. On the final restart I was in 2nd and I took the position on the outside pole. With 9 laps to go we came around turn 3 for the green flag, I got a Great Big Jump on the #9 Super Stock. By the time we made it to the Start/Finish line I had competely passed him on the outside. The Crowd was screaming! For the next 2 laps I stayed out front, then the Powerful Super Stock got by me on the inside of turn 1. He Stayed out front and I was pulling away from the rest of the Cars, Street and Super Stocks. As those last 7 laps went by I just held my line and hoped that nothing broke on the car . The car started to vibrate and I was getting worried. I could hardly believe it as I came around turn 4 and saw the Checkered Flag!!!!  I had finally won!!!  I stopped on the track with the #9 car who won the Super Stock race. I got out stood on my roof and pumped my fist in the air.

I couldn't believe I had finally won!!!

I'm currently 3rd in points. I think my driveline and/or axle is bent causing the vibration........This will be my 3rd driveline... Gotta figure this out....Every week we work hard to keep this car running so we  "Work Hard, Play Hard"

See Ya, Benjer #81

This Saturday night had a lot of potential. NW Construction had bought us a new set of tires and we did a few things with springs to make the car better. So During Hot Laps, the car was close, with a few more adjustments, we got the car set-up really well. Qualifing went well, with a 17.56 sec run, putting us 4th. This week they eliminated the trophy dash and the heat races and had a 50 Main instead. With the Invert, I started in 11th place of the 13 car field. The NW Construction,Cafe Oasis, Henry Ranch,JT Rocks & Excavation,Oregon Tool & Supply,Oakland Vet Hospital,Gordon Spezza Trucking,Bailey Vet Clinic, PDM2 Machine Works,Jobes Hot Rod Shop, AAA Transmisions Chevy was runnin' Great! I moved up through the field picking off cars one by one. By the caution around lap 19, I had worked my way up to 4th. We restarted and had made a lap or two when the caution flew again. This time I restarted 3rd and made it to turn 2 when something let go in the drive train, luckily I was able to coast out of the way (some drivers had to do some fancy driving to avoid me when if first happened) without a caution and all the way around the rest of the track and back to the pits. Dad met me asking if it was the motor or what. I said no, but we're broke. That was the end of our night. I was bummed because the car was perfect and getting more perfect every lap. We finally got the energy to look at the car sunday night and discovered we had lost the Clutch, which is better than losing the transmission, like we thought might have happened. We have an extra clutch so I just need to put that in and we'll be good to go!!!

See Ya next time, Benjer #81

 

6-21-08 Saturday night was a 40 Lap race. We started out qualifing 5th with a time of 17.613. There was a field of 11 cars, with 2 Drivers that had not yet raced with us this season.  I started toward the rear of the pack and stayed there the first 10 laps or so, I didn't want to get tangled up and wrecked early on. I was really excited to be racing in a race this long. After the first caution, I started working my way to the front. The last 15-20 laps or so I battled the #15 car for 3rd with the #30 car trying to get around me. I had plenty of engine power, my car was faster than the #15 car,  but with my old tires I lacked grip and just couldn't get by him. With 3 laps to go, I got spun out by the #30 car.  The caution flew, my car wouldn't start because it was to hot. It overheated spilling water all over the track. The push truck got me off the track as the safety crew cleaned up the water. Back at my pit, I thought we were out of the race, I started to unbuckle my belts and take off my helmet when my crew chief said, get back out there and cool down your car and see if you can gain a spot. I got the car restarted and went back on the track just as the race resumed. With 3 laps to go, I noticed the # 30 car wasn't on the track,(he had an oil leak and was sent off the track) I worked hard and was able to pass 2 cars and ended up with a 6th place finish. Its not as good as a 3rd or 4th place finish but it was better than the 9th place finish I thought I was gonna have. Gotta thank Larry for that! I checked the points and I'm still 4th in points. BTW, one of my Best Sponsors saw my need for Tires and said he would make sure I got them! Thanks Doug & NW Construction!  

Looks like our next race is July 5th.........See ya then, Benjer #81

It was another cool night at Douglas County Speedway. We started off our night by qualifing 3rd with a 17.670 sec. run. This week they decided to run the Trophy Dash with the Fast Heat. Since I was 3rd fastest I had to start near the rear of the 6 lap dash. I was stuck behind a slow car for a lap and by then I didn't have time to catch back up to the leaders. I ended up 5th out of 6th. The main Event was definately an Event! I started in 7th and by lap3, I was up to 3rd. Thats when things started to happen. The #7 car that was in 1st place, blew an engine, spreading oil all over the track and causing it to spin out between turns 3 & 4. The 2nd place #38 car, lost control in the oil and clipped the #7 causing the #38 to flip over on its roof. I was lucky and stopped just inches from the #7 car and the #16r truck had managed to stop just inches from my car. Then our luck ran out as the #25 truck couldn't get stopped and rear ended the #16r which couldn't help but shove me into the #7. All the cars had barely stopped before the Safety Crew was out checking out all the Drivers. All the drivers were OK, except for a few bumps and bruises. After the Red Flag and the #7 & #38 were hauled off the track and the #16r truck had gone to the pits. I restarted the race in 1st and the 16r can back out as the green flag flew. I kept the lead for 4 or 5 laps holding off the 2nd fastest car, the #77. Finally the #16r got around me bringing the #77 with him. I continued the race in 3rd trying to hold off the # 39 veteran sprint car driver. I did hold him off, finishing 3rd. It was a great race and I was so excited as I made my way to Tech. It was my best run of the year so far. I race with a great bunch of drivers and I was glad everyone was OK. I learn something every race and I guess you could say I learned A LOT this race! I am now currently 4th in points!

Benjer #81