...........was another great time with some really great people.On this trip I took my crew chief Johnnie Null with me,which was great.We flew into Syracuse airport on Sunday the 25th and was picked up by my long-time DW customer and friend Rob Keller.We had talked for several years about me coming up there and we finally got to do it.I was really looking forward to seeing & racing on some of the most historic tracks in the country.We were pleasantly surprised when we got back to Rob & Leslie's house that they were throwing a party in our honor.All his crew & racing friends,and family were there, so it was a fun time all night with great food.
Our week was going to be full with all sorts of activities planned.We were going to work on the car I was going to drive on Monday evening,race at Fonda Speedway on Tuesday,have a chassis seminar on Wednesday,race at Evans Mills Thursday,race at Brewerton Friday,race at Can Am Saturday,then head home on Sunday.Unfortunatly rain hampered us all week,so we didn't get to race but two shows.But we had a blast the whole week just being around Rob's crew & Family.I got to have some great talks with Rob's brother,Rich and met his family,Kim & Chad.He is one intense competitor and loves racing.We also had a great time clowning around with Rob's always straight laced crew chief,Mike Capozza & his wife Theresa(who's the exact opposite).Not sure how they ended up together(maybe Mike's hung like a grizzly,who know's),but they are a blast to be around.We also had a great time with long time crew,Mark Bradt & his wife Terry.We talked about everthing under the sun and it was nice to relax around such great people.The youngest member of the crew was Mark's son,Nick who had tested the car I drove,the week before.I was really impressed with him because most young people have all the answers,but Nick was very quiet and intently watched and learned all week.He asked some very good questions and I think enjoyed himself as well.I think he will go far in his racing career.I can't tell this story without adding something about another couple I got to meet.We were able to take time to visit the DIRT Hall of Fame & Museum one day,and I was introduced to Barb Anderson who was running the place.She is one of the greatest racing fans I've ever met,and as it turned out her husband,Bill, has a DW car and is a top runner in the area.I was impressed with Bill's smoothness on the dry Brewerton track,and he whooped my ass,and finished second that night.All in all it was a GREAT,GREAT trip,and I'll have fond memories of everyone and everything I got to see there.I'm trying to get Rob and his crew to come out here for a week in 2005 to race.I hope it happens.Thanks Guys !!! |
