Beatrice Speedway, Beatrice, NE - After heavy rains and cooler weather earlier in the week, Saturday turned out to be an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day and the evening was just as great for racing. With a high in the mid-80’s and just a light wind, the evening was a great one!
We benefited with the 2-week interval between races since a change in powerplants was called for. I decided to go with an engine I ran most of the season in 2005. I’d gotten a 4th place finish in an A Feature with it, and was on my way to a top three a couple of weeks before that when a lap car spun in front of me and I couldn’t avoid hitting him. With that engine in the car, I‘m just hoping it will hold out for a few weeks until I can get something a little better back in the car.
After the installation was done, I started to check on the engine I took out to see what had happened to it. I found main bearing damage that may be related to a problem with the transmission. It looks like the block won’t be much good for anything other than a boat anchor. Hopefully, all the internal components will be able to be saved.
The track looked like it was drying out in places as it was being rolled in. That’s hard to believe after almost 5” of rain the first part of the week. After we were done packing the track, it was time to get ready for hot laps. I was anxious to see what this old engine had left in it. The track was already turning dry, and when hot laps went green, I dropped the hammer. The track still had a bit of moisture on the bottom in 3 and 4. It was smooth, and the car seemed to handle wherever I drove it. I followed the 4 of Greg Crannell, who was also looking for the best line to run. On the last lap, he spun ahead of me going into 1, but I managed to miss him and got into the pits with no problems.
After having to drop out because of engine problems the last week we raced, we were next to last in points. That is a real bummer, but there’s an advantage to being low in points - you get to start up front! When the line-ups came out, I was on the pole in the 2nd heat. There were some good cars starting behind me, and all I could hope for was a 5th place or better finish, which would put me up front in the A Feature.
Jeff was starting on the inside of the 2nd row in the first heat. We made some last minute checks on both cars; then it was tie for Jeff to get him car on the track. As they’re pulling onto the track, the 2nd heat is being called to go to the staging area. From there, I can see turns 3 & 4, so I sit back a bit and watch as Jeff finishes 4th in his heat race.
The first heat race is pulling off the track and we’re being waved on by the 3rd turn flagman. The 4 of Greg Crannell is starting on my outside, and the 9 of Gary Laflin is starting right behind me. I bring the R & R Racing/Blue Knights/Shew Towing Chevrolet down the front straightaway as the rest of the field lines up on me. On the back chute the light is still flashing, meaning we’ll have at least one more lap before we’re green. Out of 4 and the flagman is giving us the one to go sign. I tighten my belts one last time. Out of 2 and the lights are out. I’m picking the pace up a bit so I don’t get tagged in the back bumper as we go green. Out of 4 and the green is waving. We’re racing! I let the car drift about halfway up the chute, giving the 4 enough room that he won’t get squeezed into the wall. Into 1, hit the brakes, make a hard left, then out of 2 and down the back chute. The green light is on going into 3, and once again I’m on the brake, then letting off and making the hard left, get back on the gas and out of 4 to complete the first lap. I don’t have any idea who is the next car behind me because the only car shown on the scoreboard is me! Back into 1, brake, coast, then back on the gas out of 2. Down the back chute and I still don’t hear anybody near me. Out of 4 to complete lap 2 and the scoreboard now shows the 9 of Gary Laflin as the next car behind me. I don‘t know how far behind me he is, and I‘m not going to slow down to find out!
The track is smooth, but dry slick. I’d noticed it was dusty on the very bottom in 3 and 4 when I was watching the first heat race. I decide to keep the line I have as it seems to be working. With no rear view mirrors, I can only guess where the other cars are. I’m out of 4 and under the flagstand with the flagman showing the crossed flags, meaning we’re halfway home. I just need to concentrate and hold the line I’ve been running. Back into 1 and I blow in a bit hard, taking about a lane higher than I had. Out of the corner of my eye I see a black nosepiece below me. I decide if he’s going to pass me, he’ll have to go around me on the top, because I’m not going to open the bottom lane for him. Out of 4 and there are 3 laps to go. The scoreboard still shows the 9 as the next car behind me.
I’m still trying to concentrate on not making any mistakes. I must have gained a little ground on the 9 because I don’t see him near me; however, he’s still in 2nd with the 6R of Roy Armstrong behind him. The white flag is out; I’m still talking myself through the last lap. Into 3 for the last time, out of 4 and the checkers are waving. The R & R Racing/Blue Knights/Shew Towing Chevrolet gets its first heat race win of 2007!
Don’t forget to go across the scales - we’ve never even been close to under weight with this car. Oil pressure is good and engine temp is OK. Back to the trailer and out of the car so I can check tire pressures. I’ve only picked up one to two pounds in each tire. That confirms what I thought - the car was dialed in for the heat race!
Jeff asked me if I was going to make any changes to the car for the A Feature. I told him I was going to check the tires and fill it with gas. I was sure that we’d be starting on the outside of the front row, with the 66 of Jeff Watts starting on the pole. After that, it was anybody’s guess as to who was starting where.
1st Factory Stock Heat:
1. Jeff Watts, Beatrice
2. Neal Mittan, Wymore
3. Ronda Mewes, Blue Springs
4. Jeff Shew, Beatrice
2nd Factory Stock Heat:
1. Ernie Reiss, Beatrice
2. Gary Laflin, Beatrice
3. Roy Armstrong, Beatrice
4. Darcy Dobrovolny, Waterville, KS
The line-ups are out and sure enough, the 66 of Jeff Watts is starting on the pole. The R & R Racing/Blue Knights/Shew Towing Chevrolet is starting on the outside pole. Jeff will be starting the Shew Towing/Homestead Auto Chevrolet on the inside of the 2nd row, and the 9 of Gary Laflin will be starting right behind me.
I’ve filled the fuel cell and all the tire pressures are set where I want them. After that, we’ll wait for a few minutes while the intermission is winding down. The Factory Stock A Feature will the first one on the agenda for the evening.
Time to start getting strapped in. I’ve had a problem with the starter as it won’t engage every time. I’m sure it’s really a flywheel problem as the flywheel has a couple of bad teeth on it. If the engine stops in the right (or wrong) place, the starter hits the bad teeth and won’t turn the engine. So far this evening, it’s only happened before hot laps and Jeff push-started me with his car.
The window net is up and I’m strapped in and ready to go. Guys from the pit next to me are ready in case I need a push to get started. I flip on the ignition switches and push the button and the engine fires! Looks like we’re about ready to race.
I get to the staging area and wait for a couple of minutes. One last check on the belts and we’re being waved onto the track. One time around, and the flagman signals that the next lap is the parade lap, with the crowd waving at us and we’re waving back. It looks like we’ll be green after that. As we complete the parade lap, we’re given the one to go signal. Out of two and I’m side by side with the 66. Out of 4 and the green is waving - we’re racing again!
The 66 beats me into 1 by about 2 car lengths. I try to drop to the bottom, but the 9 of Gary Laflin is there. We’re out of 2 with the 66 in the lead, the 9 in 2nd, and the #6 R & R Racing/Blue Knights/Shew Towing Chevy in 3rd place. Into 3 I’m able to go to the bottom and we complete the 1st lap in 3rd place. I look up at the scoreboard but they’re only showing the 66 so far. I’m not sure where everybody else is behind me, and I concentrate on trying to run a good, consistent lap. At the end of the 3rd lap, we’re still in 3rd place. I’m able to run on the bottom and the car is feeling great. The scoreboard is now showing the 89 of Ronda Mewes as the next car behind me.
In the meantime, the 66 and the 9 have changed leads back and forth several times. When one would get off the bottom the other would take the lead. At the halfway point, the R & R Racing/Blue Knights/Shew Towing Chevy is still in 3rd place. The 89 is still the next car behind me, then one of the Armstrong cars is next behind her. Into 3 and I miss my line a bit, and I see the nose of the 89 on my inside. I’m able to beat her into 1 and keep my low line. Out of 2 and down the back chute into 3, and I don’t see the 89 this time around. With 6 to go, I’m into 1 and a width higher than I need to be. The 89 has the nose under me, and if I’m to keep from crashing, I have to keep that line. She goes by me clean, as does the 6A of Adam Armstrong. With 5 to go, I’m in 5th place.
I’m able to stay close, and hope that I can maybe pass the 6A back. Into 3, then back on the gas a bit, but I’m a bit over-anxious and am on the gas too much. The back tires lose traction, and I’m a bit sideways in the middle of the turn. The 99 of Darcy Dobrovolny is under me coming out of 4 and beats me down the front chute. Back into 1 and out of 2, and I can see a white nosepiece belonging to the 5M of Neal Mittan on my outside. We’re into 3 and out of 4 and I’m able to hold him off for another lap. With less than 3 laps to go, I get about a car width too wide into 3 and the 5M is under me, then beats me into 1. With 2 to go, we’re out of 2 with the 6R of Roy Armstrong trying to pass me on the inside. I beat him into 3, but get back on the gas a split second too soon, once again lighting the tires up. Out of 4, and the 6R is on my inside. We’re rubbing as we head for the white flag. At the line, he’s ahead of me by a car length, putting the R & R Racing/Blue Knights/Shew Towing Chevy back to 8th place. One last lap, and I can see the yellow 03 of Aaron Roth on my outside. I hold the bottom going into 3 and out of 4, with the 03 trying to pass me on the high side. We’re under the checkers a car length ahead of him. More importantly, we’re in one piece!!
Back to the trailer where one of the guys from the 03 pits cools my radiator, then I can shut the car off and collect my thoughts. I’m disappointed in myself for the mental mistakes I made, but happy with the way the car ran. I found that I made a mistake right at the beginning, as I came down on the right front of Jeff and dented his fender a bit. That was something I certainly did not want to do!
A couple of rub marks on the car is the only damage I could find, so we should have a relatively easy time getting the car ready to race on Memorial Day. Jeff talked about changing to a taller rear end gear in his car.
The next race will be (Mother Nature willing) at Beatrice Speedway on Monday, May 28th, which is Memorial Day. We will be a support class for the Super Late Models that are running that night. Pit gates will open at 3 PM, with races starting at 5 PM. We hope to see everybody at the track soon!
Factory Stock A Feature
1) 66 Jeff Watts
2) 9 Gary Laflin
3) 89 Ronda Mewes
4) 99 Darcy Dobrovolny
5) 6a Adam Armstrong
6) 5m Neal Mittan
7) 6r Roy Armstrong
8) 6 Ernie Reiss
9) 03 Aaron Roth
10) 4t Lisa Wagner
11) 7 Jeff Shew
12) 4 Greg Crannell
13) 3 Rodney Latta
14) 32 Joe Ryan
Points After 5-12-07
1) 6A Adam Armstrong 76
1) 89 Ronda Mewes 76
3) 6R Roy Armstrong 74
4) 9 Gary Laflin 72
5) 99 Darcy Dobrovolny 71
6) 03 Aaron Roth 69
6) 5m Neal Mittan 69
8) 66 Jeff Watts 68
9) 4T Lisa Wagner 67
10) 7 Jeff Shew 62
10) 6 Ernie Reiss 62
12) 4 Greg Crannell 60
13) 32 Joe Ryan 57
14) 3 Rodney Latta 28
Front Page
Results from Opening Night, April 28, 2007
Results from May 28, 2007
Results from June 2, 2007
Results from June 9, 2007
Results from June 16, 2007
Results from June 30, 2007
Results from July 7, 2007
Results from July 14, 2007
Results from July 22, 2007 (Gage County Fair)
Results from July 28, 2007
Results from August 4, 2007
