Friday night found the #32 team at the pit gate just a few moments after opening, we had to be on time as we had a set of tires to break in. The Federal tires that the Legends are required to run are street tires and there is a releasing agent sprayed into the mold at the manufacturing process. It becomes part of the outer layer of the tread of the tire and the tire doesn't have its true grip until it is worn off. Even though we "cut" the tires you need to get this releasing agent worn off the tires before they perform. It usually takes 3 or 4 heat cycles to get a new tire right, so we had to put at least 2 heat cycles (10 laps) each, with complete cooling between each, and two more cycles before the next race before they would be ready to race on. We got two heat cycles on the new tires, then practiced the set we were going to race on, and they were good. Connelly turned a lap in that final practice of 13.09-- not too shabby. We couldn't improve much on that so we got ready for qualifying.
There were 10 cars on hand for tonight's event they were #44 Joseph McArdle, #7 Hunter Lewis, #32 Connelly Dubuisson, #66 Andrew Johnston, #96 Robbie Johnson, #2 Billy Elmore, Jr., #33 Dalton Chipley, #04 Dawson Keener, #94 Brad West, and the #99
Qualifying: In qualifying we only got 3 laps (used to be 6) and it seems like Connelly overdrove the car in qualifying giving him the 4th spot at a 13.21 after turning a 13.09 in practice. Qualifying results are: #7, #44, #66, #32, #04, #96, #2, #33, with the #94 and #99 not posting times. So the starting order was set. Connelly would start from the outside front row in the second heat race.
Heat Race: In our heat race we started outside of Joseph McArdle #44 on the front row with the #96 in third, #33 in fourth and the #99 in fifth. A really good race ensued with Connelly right on Joseph's back bumper for the first 4 or so laps. Connelly finally got past Joseph for the lead but before completing one lap at that position a caution came out and Connelly by rule had to give the spot back. They both raced very hard for the remaining laps but Connelly just couldn't get back by Joseph. They were never more than a car length apart for the remainder of the heat. Final finishing order was #44, #32, #99, #96, #33. The car felt right so we left it alone, put fuel in it, and let the engine cool under the fans.
Feature Race: Hunter threw the big dice and rolled a 3 meaning we would retain our 4th starting position outside second row, with the three car invert #66 would start on pole, with #44 outside front row, #7 in third and #32 outside of him in fourth, followed by #04, #99, #94, #96, and the #33.
Connelly got a good start and got by Joseph in the #44 who got hung on the outside, and settled down in 3rd., ran that way for the first half of the race behind the #7 and right on the #66's tail. Joseph got into a duel with the #99 for several laps which slowed him down. Connelly just couldn't get by the #66, if he had, he could have put some distance between him and the #66 and given him a cushion for when Joseph got past the #66. With Connelly fighting the #66 Joseph closed up on the #32 and got past us. Connelly promptly returned the favor and passed him back, Joseph put a masterful "slide job" on us and re-took third. Joseph set up the #66 nicely and passed him, Connelly tried to follow him through and it seemed like the #66 "came down" on him in the apex of turn 3 almost forcing us into the infield allowing the #66 to keep 3rd place and also allowing the #99 to get by for fourth relegating us to 5th, all this taking place while coming to the white flag (one lap to go). Connelly did not have his best race, he needs to be able to make a pass when it is there and not wait on the prefect situation. All in all not too bad of a night, even though it was a double points night and we lost some points, we were able to roll the car on the trailer and live to race another day without having to repair major damage.
We are looking forward to next Friday the 5th of July however a major rain event is forecast, hope for the best we will be there if they race.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
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