My Comments on the Race
Hickory Speedway April 11, 2009
Hey everyone it’s me again. We have had a terrific start to 2009. The 2009 off-season found us teaming up with Michael Cooper Racing in an attempt to gain and share information with a larger race team. A win at the Budweiser Nationals at Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, CT proved we were on the right track. The fast car and a whole new set-up convinced us that we should use an off weekend to go down to Hickory N.C. this weekend and try our luck with the big boys. Me and the team felt real good going into the day and felt even better when we were clicking off the 3rd fastest lap times. The track was really loose all day especially coming out of 4 where there were a number of bumps which was upsetting everyone’s car. So we tightened the car up a little bit which made us a little bit better but there was not much you could do about the bumps in 4. Luckily I was 2nd from last to qualify so I knew what I had to shoot for. For the first time in a Tour race I thought before I went out that I had a good shot at qualifying in the top 3. I knew the pole was going to be a stretch because 2nd place ran a 17.018 and my teammate Michael Cooper clicked off a 16.778. I ended up running a 17.151 which placed me 4th. We tightened her up a little bit more before we went out for the feature. Beginning of the race I got screwed a little bit getting stuck on the outside I was able to tuck in behind my other teammate Dylan Sawyer in 5th. After working on Sawyer for a few laps he got loose coming out of 4 and I got a run on him and finished the pass going into one. I then set my sights on the #36 of Paul Beckner. I worked on Beckner for a lot of laps during a long green flag run of almost 15 laps. The part that was unlucky was I finally got underneath him going into one and had him cleared down the straight and the yellow came out on lap 30, which put me back behind Beckner again because we did not complete the lap that I passed him. Ssoooo a little frustrated on the restart did me good I guess because I got a jump on him and was able to get inside him going into turn one. This time stayed in front of him sitting in 3rd. After passing Beckner the car started getting real loose. And I mean loose dude. Coming out of 4 once I was looking in the infield. Tried like hell to hold on to 3rd, but Justin Allison would get me with 7 laps left. Holding off Beckner and Sawyer the last 7 laps was not any walk in the park either but I did it and I was very happy with my performance through the day. After the race I got to watch my teammate Cooper race his PASS Series truck, bringing home a 3rd place finish. I also got to do my first job as a pit crew member. I’m always the racer so it was kind of cool to help Cooper’s crew chief Bobby tighten the truck up under caution. My whole team this year is great and I really have good feelings that we are going to have a great year. Before I leave I have to thank all my sponsors for sticking with us through a rough last year and thank you even more for coming on board again this year. Bobcat Turf Equipment returns as the primary sponsor on our car, visit there website at www.bobcatturf.com because if your looking for a mower they have one to fit your needs. Interstate Batteries is also on board again this year as an associate sponsor. Reason why I use nothing but an Interstate in anything I drive is because I left my Ford pick up outside in the winter time in very cold weather for 4 months and went outside after those 4 months and that Interstate cranked my truck right over. I also use Interstate power in my race car. My last sponsor this year is C&M Autobody also coming back for a 2nd year. Located in Monroe NY, C&M Auto body is a professional body shop that can take care of repairs you may need, or do some custom work on your automobile. I also have to thank Michael Cooper who has helped me out a lot this year; he’s a great teammate and an even better racer and friend. Last thanks I have to give out before I go are to my Mom and Dad. They have done more for me then I could ever explain, and I definitely would not be here if it was not for them. The 2009 season has started for Paul Tuthill Racing and we are off to a good start. Please post a comment, thanks all for reading and supporting me.
Comments
Mom writes...
keep up the good work.
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