Seemed like one of the shortest weeks ever. Arriving home from the USAC/CRA California Swing about 2:30 am Sunday, the crew meet back at the shop before the alarm clock blared about 10 am to clean up after a week and 1/2 on the road, and to prep cars for Saturday September 13ths race. Yikes, the season only has like 24 races in it for the year and they'll cram 6 races in a row!! Kinda crazy....
Asides from most of the teams in the pits being in the same "dragging" state as the Moose Team, it was also 107 degrees at "The Pas" yesterday. Tom did attempt to keep the team and passerby's cool as he and his ice cold water sprayer was very popular.
The field of USAC sprint cars had several new names in the line up, newcomers that were getting some practice in before the final race of the season at Perris, The Oval Nationals in November. With 27 cars ready to compete, Jake wouldn't be going out to qualify until towards the end of the rotation. With the heat and all the cars that would be drying out the track prior to his run, would the track hold up? Did the team make the right changes? YIPPIE!! Answers .. yes!!! Jake sat 2nd quick!!!
Line up for Heat 2 would start Jake in P6 --- just play it cool, only have to be in the top 4 for the direct transfer to the Main...keeping the qualifying time. Okay, 4th... all good!!
Sometimes having 3 other support groups running at Perris, drags the show out and the teams sit twiddling their fingers waiting for their Main. But last night having those other series was a blessing, as during just normal prep for the Main, Dave found that the power steering box was extremely hot and upon further checking, the fluid was all burned and gunky. Jumping into action the crew took the p/s box out of the back up car (great decision by Tom to have taken the back up car) and got it installed into the A car. Great job again by the Moose Team!!!
2nd quick means lining up for the 30 lapper in 5th. The plan was for Jake to pace and run about 5-6-7 and then start to push forward about 1/2 way. When a large hole opened up on the start, lap 1 & 2 found the 92 running 3rd. Back it down a bit, dropped to 5th, then back up to 4th and reeling in 3rd, when all of a sudden Jake was directing the car back to the pit area. NOW WHAT!! Okay, there is a rock screen in front of the radiator except for about 1" at the top -- yeap, you got it...a rock weaseled it's way around that screen and popped the radiator!!! Unbelievable!!!
As disappointment hits Team Moose yet again, it is obvious that once this monkey decides to go visit someone else, Jake and Team Moose will be vying for a spot a top that cherished podium.