With qualifying on the Friday under the lights the track was a little different than years in the past but, Dad had the car ready and we were able to pull off a good lap and qualified on the pole.  This is the first time this has ever happen so I was happy but, you can only get worse in the feature.  On the Saturday, I brought my special occasions body and people really seemed to think it was cool looking.  A big thanks to Jim Peters at Velocity Signs for all his work on the decals to get it looking sweet.  In the feature, the green flew and off into turn one we went when the caution came out.  The #91 of Kyle Watters had climbed up over Holly's back tire out of turn two and went for a tumble.  He was ok and on the second try Holly powered past me to take the early lead.  We got into some lapped traffic and my car started to come in and I was able to move past Holly for the lead.  The car felt really good and then the clutch let go and we had to retire.  Holly then lead for a long time but, then had trouble herself.  Everybody seemed to be having issues and when everything was all done the #37 of Sean Paul pulled off the win.  Congrats to Sean and another season comes to a close.  Thanks to the Smibert family, track workers and vounteers for all they do.  With out all their hard work we would not be racing.  Thanks again and we will see you next year for another great season of racing at Wonderland Speedway!! 

 

Last night for points and it seemed that everyone was ready to roll.  In the heat, I was able to get up to the third spot but, had nothing else.  In the feature, it was very action packed in the early going with guys bumping and grinding trying to better their spots.  I was able to move up a couple spots and on the first caution I was up to the fifth spot.  On the restart, I was able to sneak past a few more guys and on the next caution was in the 3 hole.  When the green flag flew again some lappers played into things and the #11 of Norm Burdett was held up and I was able to sneak past for second.  When the green returned I was trying to chase down the #6 of Tyler Wilson and after a few laps was challenging for the spot. We ran side by side for a couple laps and had a great run, Tyler was not giving up easy and that what makes things fun.  Finally, I was able to complete the pass and was really starting to get into lapped traffic.  I could hear the #91 of Kyle Watters right on my bumper and things were really starting to get good.  We came up on a pack of cars that were going every which way and Kyle moved to the outside.  Down the back stretch the #38 of Nokes spun out and the track was blocked and we all took action.  I was hard on the binders and still made pretty hard contact with the #38 and had to catch my breath.  I pulled away from the scene and moved over to the front stretch when the red flag came out.  It turned out that the #36 of Casey Cox had a nasty tumble and that was the reason for the red flag, thankfully Casey and everyone else was ok.  Everything on our car seemed to be drivable but, my body was feeling things, my ribs were a little tender.  On the restart the car was not as good as it was but, I was able to hold on for the win and when all the dust settled it turns out that we also won the points.  A great year with 3 wins was very pleasing to both Dad and I, we really had a good year! 

 

With a touch of sprinkles falling just after warmups everyone was ready to rip when things got going.  In the heat, I was able to move up into a qualifying spot and had a good run with Jake Miller but, was unable to get past and finished behind Jake in the third spot.  It was great to see the go kart guys from Windsor and I was very entertained by their show, thanks to them for making the trip.  In the feature, I started in the 12th spot and man things were crazy off the start. Cars were making moves all over the place and I was trying to keep pace.  The funny thing was that the track had lots of moisture on the bottom and dry on top so things were a little interesting to say the least.  I was able to get up into the sixth spot and then the fun began.  I had caught up to the very quick #37 of Sean Paul and he was working hard to get by the #1 of Holly Porter so I tried the outside and thought I was going to get him but, the caution came out.  On the restart Sean snuck past Holly and then another caution.  On the restart I snuck past Holly and was trying to catch up to Sean and was trying everything and thought I had another run on him and .... caution.  Another restart and I was trying my hardest to get by Sean and he slipped up a little and I was able to sneak past.  Two laps later I slipped up out of turn two and Sean was right back under me and we were running side by side and having a ball.  Unfortunately, I was unable to hang on on the outside for long and Sean completed the pass.  At the end of the feature Sean was able to pass the #6 of Tyler Wilson and I was able to get under Tyler as well but, it was coming out of turn 4 for the checkers.  I have no idea if I got Tyler but, let me tell you that was the most fun I have had this year.  What a great battle and it was too bad we had a lot of cautions but, I still think when the green was out we had a great race.  Great fun and I don't know were I finished but, I do know that the #02 of Travis Novonoty won and congrats to him.  Good to see the #02 win and what an exciting race, I loved it.  See you all next week for the season finally.

 

With twin features on the bill, the heats were very entertaining to watch and participate in.  Side by side racing and great battles in all of the heats must have been fun to watch.  In my heat, the #11 of Norm Brunette, #90 of Mark Lammont, #1 of Holly Porter and I had a great battle for a bunch of laps and everybody had a good clean run.  In the end I think Rick Willams won the heat but, Norm, Holly and I were all close for 2nd through 4th.  Lucky with twin features there was no "B" features and my 4th place finish really didn't mean that much.  On to the first feature!  Starting near the back the #49 of Dana Duff seemed to bog on the start which held up some people and I was able to follow the #20 of Kenny Charboneau through and pick up some spots.  On the first caution it turned out that we had made our way to the top five.  When we went back green, I was able to sneek past Kenny and have a great battle with Holly and #36 of Casy Cox.  I able to make it up to 3rd and got to see up close the battle for the lead.  The #7 of Rick Williams and #69 of Andy Wells were really going for it and I was trying to catch up.  I am not sure exactly what happened but, coming out of turn 4 Andy slid up a little so I tried for the spot, when we got to turn two I was beside Rick.  I was so focused on Andy that I didn't notice that Rick was up high on him.  In the end of things I was able to complete the pass and went on to win the first feature.  In the second feature I had to start at the back which meant a lot of racing to do.  I had great battles earily with the #52 of Jesse Costa and was trying the outside of some guys when Casey got the #36 a touch sideways which caused everybody to check up.  Lucky we all made it through but, some cars further back got tangled up bring out the yellow.  On the restart the battle resumed and the #02 of Travis Novonoty, #37 of Shawn Paul and #36 of Casey Cox were really fighting it out and it was a blast to have some real good racing with them.  Now in the forth spot I saw that the #1 of Holly Porter and #6 of Tyler Wilson were battling for second.  And what a battle it was, tucking and diving, with lots of throttle and a bit of brakes!  Wow, I was lucky enough to sneek past Holly after she had a missed attempt on Tyler and then I tried to keep up to him.  We were coming up on some lappers and just before we got to them a hole opened up under Tyler so I went for it.  I think that everyone in the fight for second thought the slow lapper on the high side was going to go to the pits but, the next thing I saw was the yellow.  Unfortunately, Tyler and Holly were tangled up which brought out the caution.   With a bunch of lappers between me and the #91 of Kyle Watters there was no time to muster anything and a second place finish for the #45.  Congrats to Kyle on the win and I will see you next week at the races!!

 

In the heat, we had a really close race and when we came down to the checkers you could have thrown a banket over all of us.  Great fun and I don't even know were I finished!  In the feature, the 11th starting spot and it was a major traffic jam off the start.  I was able to get by some cars after things settle down and then a caution for the broken down third place car the #02, Travis has had some real bad luck this year.  On the restart we got things going again and then the #20 of Kenny Charboneau broke, what the heck is with the third spot?  Now up to third (oh no) the #7 and #11 were having a good race.  Norm was able to get by for the lead and I followed him through for second and that is how things remained.  Congrats to Norm for the win and looking forward to next week for twin features for the outlaws.  See you there!! 

 

Again the track was on the wet and sticky side of things for this week.  In the heat, I was able to get up to the third spot and qualify for the main.  In the feature, I think there was some miscommunication between the drivers meeting and the start of the race because nobody knew what was happening!!  A slow start by the leaders and cars were going everywhere, caution.  When things settled down and everybody got sorted out we got down to some racing.  I moved up a couple spots, got tangled up under caution and was involved in a caution when the #1 of Holly Porter went for the same spot on the track.  Lots of stuff going down and the best was still to come!!  I got to the #37 of Shawn Paul and wow we had a great battle, I tried him on the bottom a bunch of times but, Shawn was too fast.  I tried him on the top and caution.  When we got going again I went to work again and tried the top again and after some great side by side racing I was able to clear him.  What fun, I love racing for postion with Shawn, he never gives up and gives it his all!!  Now in the third spot, I was trying to catch up to the #52 of Jesse Costa and #91 of Kyle Watters.  I made up some ground but, on the white flag lap the excitment started for the lead.  I think Jesse pushed up in turn 2 and Kyle went for the hole.  Some rubbing down the back strech and into turn 3 I thought they were going to wreck, they were really rubbing now!!  They keep things together enough to get across the line in one piece but, holly moly, adventures at Wonderland for sure, what an event filled feature.  Looking forward to next week were the micros have there twin features, should be a good one.  See you at the races!!

 

With all the rain over the past weeks, the track was fast and sticky!  In the heat, I was able to move up to the third spot when the 90 of Mark Lamont got a little loose coming out of turn 4 and we both got tangled up.  Unfortunately, Mark had problems and was not able to continue but, everything seemed to be ok and I was able to keep going after the minor bump.  On the restart, I was able to get into the second spot but, had nothing for the #91 of Kyle Watters and finished there.  In the feature, there was some real crazy stuff on the first two starts and cars were going everywhere to avoid the crashes ... wow, some close calls.  When everything settled down we got down to some great racing and I had great battles with a lot of cars.  At the end of things I had got up to the forth place and was trying to catch the #11 of Norm Burnette and thought I had him clean but, some contact caused him to drop out.  An unfortunate deal but, people do make mistakes.  On the same caution, the #91 of Kyle Watters slowed and had clutch problems, everybody was having issues.  On the restart, I had nothing for the #20 of Kenny Charboneau and finished in the the second spot.  On a night that looked like was not going to happen it turned out to be very event filled evening.  Congrats to Kenny and see you next week, if there is no wheat harvest!

 

Well, the 75 lapper was finally here and the car was ready to rock and roll.  In the heat, I started I think 6th and was able to get by some guys to finish second.  In the feature, I started 12th and was able to get by a lot of cars at the start and had moved up to the top five when I came up on the 77 and 02 who were battling things out - caution.  On the restart, I was able to sneak past the 02 and then - caution.  On the restart I then snuck past the 77 and then caught up to the 11 and was able to get underneath for second.  What the heck is going on?  I have usually spun out by now and have to come from the back!!!  Now in second, I had my sights set on the #37 and was able to get by for the lead!!  I have not lead for awhile so it kind of felt weird to be leading but, the car felt good and we were not even to half way yet.  Some more cautions and scary lapped traffic and with five laps to go I came up on the 13 and 69 who were really having a good race and I thought I didn't really want to push things.  Then I could hear some pressure from behind.  The checkers flew and WOW the first win of the season and it just so happens to be the toughest.  A big thanks out to Brent Kemps for all his help this week and Steve Wells for the bolt.  The Bill Davis Memorial is a special race for me since I really enjoyed Bill as a tech guy but, also as a great roll model.  He loved racing and loved helping to make the sport safe for everyone.  A great man and I feel lucky to have won his memorial.  Hopefully next week the micro will be ready but, be ready for a surprise!!  See you then. 

 

Another night of fun and games on the dirt at Wonderland seen the track to be a little tricky due to the 2" of rain that the track got on Thursday.  I thought the track was going to come up due to all the moisture underneath but, it stayed pretty good considering.  On to the racing, in the heat I started at the back and was able to get by a bunch of cars on the top side.  I was in second place behind the #02 of Travis Novonty but, had nothing for him and finished second.  In the feature, I started 11th and was having a great battle with the #36 of Casey Cox, #1 of Holly Porter and I was trying to get to the outside to make some moves.  I came to the #12 of Johann Schmidt and I think it was #37 of Sean Paul and they were having quite a battle.  Johann slipped up a bit and I was able to tuck underneath and he was not going to give up easy.  We ran side by side for a couple laps and had a great battle.  Finally, I was able to clear Johann and tried to get to the next guy but, a lapper was in between us and when we went into turn three everyone checked up and the next thing that happened was a tap from behind and a spin out again!!!  Geez, I don't know what the deal is with me and the spin outs this year?  Johann came over after the race and said sorry but, just a racing deal in my eyes.  Unfortunately, Johann got put to the back and our battle that we were having was over.  Back green, the car got bent up a bit when I spun and it was a trick to drive.  I was able to sneak by a few more guys and was able to make it up to the second spot were I finished again to the #91 Kyle Watters.  It was a lot of fun racing with everyone again this week and congrats to Kyle on the win.  On to next week when we race the Bill Davis Memorial which to me is the hardest race of the season to win and the most special.  Hopefully it is a good one, see you there!!!

 

Another night on the dirt with the track in fine shape again this week.  In the heat, I started at the back and was able to get up to second place and was challenging for the lead but, was unable to get by the #6 of Tyler Wilson and finished second.  In the feature, I started 11th and there was a lot of good cars ahead of me.  Taking things easy, I was able to pull up on the #12 of Johan Schmidt down the back streach and when we went into turn three I am not sure what happened but, the end result was the I spun out and wow I got hit by a couple cars.  Jeez, another feature where I have to go to the back.  I went in the pits to have the car get looked over to make sure everything was ok, a bent side bar was all the damage so out I went again.  Looking forward, there was a ton of good cars ahead of me now and a huge amount of work to do.  I was able to work my way up and had some great battles with a lot of guys and before I knew it I was tracking down the #1 of Holly Porter for second.  She got held up with some lappers and I snuck past her for the second spot and was looking forward to the #52 of Jesse Costa for the lead - caution.  This caution was good in a way because I got to pull right up on Jesse but, with no traffic ahead I was unable to get by.  Congratulations to Jesse for the feature win and it was great fun to battle it out with all the other cars but, hopefully next week there with be less breakage because a lot of cars ended their night early with failures.  Looking forward to next week on the dirt and hopefully the micro will be ready soon so I can have some fun with those guys.  See you on Friday!!!

 

Brent Kemps had me up to the Bend to wheel the big #31 around on the hard stuff and wow, the ten years off really was an eye opener.  Once I remembered somewhat how to drive on ashphalt the car was tricky and tough to drive.  We made some small changes to the car which made things better but, wow what a work out.  In the heat, I started 5th and worked up into to second and was battling it out with the #8 of Joey Herramans but, could not pull it off and not only that, I thought the race was over before the checkers flew.  Dumb driver!!! - third place finish.  In the feature, I was able to wheel the blue and white rocket into the lead and was having some fun and near the end of the race was really starting to get tired (out of shape I guess).  Coming to the white flag I came up on a lapper and hesitated and the car pushed going into turn three, got by on the lapper on the front straight and the was all messed up through 1 & 2.  The car again pushed going into three and #8 of Joey Herramans was right there and beat me by a nose hair at the finish line.  Great finish for the fans to see and I was glad to see Joey win his first feature in a 440.  Hopefully the next time I drive up there and I am leading I can hold things together!!!  Congrats to Joey and thanks to Brent for letting me drive the car.

 

Another night on the dirt and the track was in fine shape with all the rain that we had on Thursday.  In the heat, I started near the back and was able to get up to second and seemed to catch up with the #36 of Casey Cox near the end of the race but, the green monster was too much and I had to settle for second.  In the feature, I started 10th and was able to get up to third and had a great battle with the #6 of Tyler Wilson for second.  Tyler was too quick to get by and again #36 of Casey Cox held the old girl together and picked up the feature win.  Congrats to Casey on the win and we will see you next Friday on the dirt.  A special thanks to Mike Kunderman for his help during warm ups this week!!