The drive to "The Pas" takes the Moose rig down Van Buren Blvd and past the Riverside National Cemetery. It is there that over 130,000 American flags are respectfullly placed on each and every tombstone of our fallen heroes. Over the years viewing that sight that still brings tears to the eyes - and is something that jars your mind back to reality and remembering that the Memorial Day Celebration isn't about the trip to the river, or Vegas or whatever we all do to enjoy the 3 day weekend, but that it's time to pause and say "Thank You" to the men and women that fight and have fought to protect our great USA.
Preperation for the 40 lap Salute has been a fast and furious effort by all on the Moose Team. The awesome drive by Jake at Ventura last race revved up the team even more then normal. Last Sunday it was a trip to Perris where the team had a closed practice to shake down the new 360 horsepower ( or maybe that should be Moosepower) that has joined the stable of Moose's. It would be a busy week for the crew, as after the test session that car had to be cleaned and serviced on Monday, Tuesday the A engine came back from Richard at RC Performance and had to be put back in the Moosemobile, Wednesday RC arrived to fire and fine tune the beast and Thursday the guys do the final set up. Team Moose was ready for a great race.
Making the Salute to Indy a 40 lap race, with an increased $$ amount spread through the field, one would of thought there would be a large field of 410 USAC/CRA sprint cars on hand for the event. But, to everyone's surprise that wasn't the case. Only 21 cars were scattered in the pits amongest the senior sprints, young gun sprints and the lightening sprints. During the week prior to the event, the crew at The Pas worked their tails off, turning up the heavy clay and working the track to give the drivers the best racing surface possible. Hats off to Donnie, Coach, Steve, Charlie and all at The Pas.
During the pre-race team " Moose prep rally" George Blacker ( Ram-Bull Racing) and the Swansons presented car owners and crew symbolic incrediable framed photos of Jake's first "quick time" lap at Ventura.(Thanks to Sprintcarscotty for the great shot) If you are in the area and going to be at the June 14th race at Perris, don't forget, you can be a part of Moose Night - where you may be one of the raffle winners… and take home one of these shots donated by George. For info on Moose NIght - contact Laurie at: lauri@sprintcars.com!!!
Pulling a low pill for qualifying, Jake took to the clock 3rd… and timed in P9. With the low car count, the show was reduced to 3 Heat Races and no semi Main. Jake lined up in the 3rd Heat in 4th, ouside row 2. A confusing start, shuffled him back to 6th, but Jake and his talented foot, powered the 92 forward ro finish in 2nd!!
Main event was pushed off and Jake paced the starting line up in 9th. A yellow flag on the initial start saw Faas meet the wall and unfortunately his night was over. In a tight battle with the 91 car, all of a sudden Jake was completely off the throttle and was slowing down the back straightway - what the ??? Coasting into the pit area with the Moose Crew right by his side it was determined that he'd felt a strong vibration and major lack of power. It had given him no warning, it was a flash and Jake responded in the blink of an eye and shut er off. Great, now what? Guess we'll find out when the engine Doc gets a look at her. The crew was up bright and early on Sunday and at the shop to pull the engine so it would be ready for RC to give it a check up. The phone call came from Richard today, he found no problem with the engine. Yahoo!! Now the guessing game begins: what caused the car to shake and loose power? You can bet the Moose Crew will be all over that during this weeks work nights.
Damion Gardner was standing proud in the Winners Circle as the red,white and blue floral wreath graced his neck and he took the celebratory drink of milk - ( even if it was chocolate milk) as in Indy tradition.
As if the on track situation wasn't enough, the frosting on the cake came after the final checkered flag had fallen for the Young Guns race- which was won by Trent Williams -- Yahoo!!! The gates were opened and the fans scamptered across the track surface and into the pits. First to be told to us, was that although there were 2 pictures of Jake in the Moosemobile in the program, the driver entry list which acknowledges all of the teams sponsors - was not listed. Gees!!! Let's see, Team Moose has been a part of Perris Auto Speedway since day 1!!!! So, to all of our sponsors, we apologize for this oversight. Another tidbit that was shared -- was that for the 2nd race in row ( granted the prior race was at Ventura with another announcer ) the announcer repeatdly referred to Jake as " Cody Swanson" ( jakes cousin - who, by the way wasn't even there!! ) Don't know what else can be done to reinforce the fact Jake is in the Moosemobile, thus the LARGE RED LETTERS on the visor, spelling JAKE. (where most drivers post their last names, Team Moose wanted to make it be known that it was JAKE in the car, and not another one of the Swansons!! ) so, much for that idea. Sorry for the rant, don't normally voice such displeasures, but these type of oversights are really getting under skin!!!
Someday, someone will create words other than Thank You that will express the gratitude felt for the entire Moose Crew: JIm, Dave, Jimmy, Chris, Don & Tom. And even though the program didn't thank the companies and people that support Moose Racing we will: Huntington Beach Glass & MIrror, Ram-Bull Racing, Phil & Eileen King, Circle Track, Saddleback Valley Gun Center, RC Performance, ARS Shocks, Freeway Auto Parts, Lucas Oil, Trackside Racing, Specialized Powder Coating, CRC, VIctory Chassis, & Rod End Supply…
… Until the next race -