Dutch Bros High School Team Races 9-13-08
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