It was hard to believe that a year had passed , as I looked out the window of the airplane while it was landing in Seattle. This was the beginning of my much anticipated return to Elma, Washington for the 6th Annual Shipwreck Beads Northwest Modified Nationals at Grays Harbor Raceway. I was looking forward to seeing my friends,and looking forward to the most beautiful area of the country.This year I brought along my good friend & crew chief ,Johnnie Null with me and that was gonna make the trip even better.
We landed at Sea-Tac Airport on Friday evening a week before the Nationals and was met by my friend & car owner Randy Ward and Race Director Bob Valencia. Bob was still recovering from a terrible accident at the track on opening night where he was hit by a modified that had hit the wall and veered to the infield. He still has a long recovery ahead,but he's tough and will be back to 100% in no time. It had been kind of a long day so we went back to Randy & Sundy's house to rest & eat. It felt great to be back and both Johnnie & I could tell the pressures of home were fading fast. We had a special treat this year as the Ward's neighbor, Carole Wilson, heard we were coming again and ended up giving us her home on the lake to stay in. Again,I think these are the nicest people in this area up here I have ever met. The place was awesome and we felt right at home. While we were relaxing and eating dinner, Randy offered us a cold Coors Light Silver Bullet , little did I know this was setting things in motion for the whole week. I had never seen Johnnie down more than a beer or two in one setting before,so I thought it seemed odd when he polished off six before bed.I knew he was having a good time and so was I.
We got up early on Saturday morning so we could tinker with the racecar some. The car looked ready so about 10:30 am Randy asked if anybody was thirsty and Johnnie said sure. We had come in a week early so I could get some more track time in Randy's car,so the plan was to run the regular show on Saturday night and make any changes during the week before the Nationals.After we loaded the car and Big Wally & "JN" had killed four more bullets each, we headed to Elma Lanes (one of Randy's sponsors) to see Henry Dawson again,fill the cooler and relax a little.Oh yeah....and maybe see that girl ! It was great to see Henry again and chat with him. The boys quenched their thirst with bullets number 11 thru 14 for those keeping track. But my trip was not complete til I saw her. She was not working that day,but I did get to meet Lisa & Molly.I swear theres something in the water up there that turns out the prettiest girls I've seen anywhere.
To say the car was a rocket that night would be an understatement. We set fast time, ran a conservative third in the heat, and had one of the most enjoyable races ever with local racer Jeff Foster who did beat me by a nat's ass.He earned my respect for driving me clean the whole race and the crowd went crazy at the finish.All in all a great night of racing and no repair work for the week,just general upkeep. Time to celebrate....off to Elma Lanes we go.I noticed the boys were looking a bit shaky so the silver bullets were a welcome site. When we got there I got to meet Jerry Springer of JLS Marble,another great sponsor of Randy's.I didn't meet him last year due to some health problems,so it was good to see him this time.While I was chatting with a few folks there someone put their arm around me and said,"Nice to see you again".When I turned around ,it was her...................oh my god .............she looked even prettier than I remembered(and I have a vivid imagination).We talked just a little as she was busy keeping everybody's order filled.Now my trip was complete.I could die a happy man now.We stayed for quite a while at the bar as silver bullets number 15-55 were consumed.It was great getting to talk to everybody again.On Sunday we went up to Ocean Shores and took a ride on the beach up there,it was a neat place to see.That evening we had dinner with Bobby V. and his family along with GHR's newest winner Jeff Foster at the nearby casino.We had a great time talking racing with Jeff and enjoyed some great food.By now the Coors body count was up to 75. On Monday we slept in and got the car ready to go for Thursday.It was a lazy day and it felt good to relax. We did stop in and see Larry Demoss who owns Cut Rate Auto Parts and helps with Randy's racing.
Tuesday was a big day as we were treated to a Mariners baseball game which was highlited by a ferry boat ride up to Seattle.One neat site was the Naval Yard in Bremerton where a string of aircraft carriers were docked.Those things are huge!During our trip I was introduced to a local drink called a "Duck Fart". We had a great time with everyone that went and hit a few casino's on the way home plus a gentlemens club where their sign said,"100 Beautiful Women and 3 Ugly Ones".The way I saw it the three ugly ones weren't working that night.By my count bullets 76 thru 96 were consumed during our road trip.
Wednesday was another off day,so we finished up the car and relaxed at the Elma Lanes in the evening.I believe the beer count ended the night around 120.During our trips up and down the road my crew chief earned the nickname "Pathfinder" due to his uncanny ability to tell Randy which direction we were headed.An ability which sharpened after several Coors Lights,I must say.We didn't get a chance to stop and see Savage Wholesale or Northwest Collision who are strong supporters of Big Wally Racing.Maybe we can pay them a visit next trip out.
Thursday was the start of the NW Nationals and I was confident we were ready.I think Randy was still nervous because a few hotdogs from out of town were here to race(Eddie Martin,Ron Jones,and Alan Sharpensteen).After a decent hot lap session it was time for time trials.The car was on its game and so was I.When I came in after our one alotted lap the crew was all smiles,and Randy came running back to the car with a look on his face I'll never forget.He said,"Jesus,you just set fast time and broke the track record by a bunch".It was a better lap than I thought.We proved the local cars were worthy to compete with the traveling pros.The only drawback was the weather,as we were lining up to go out for our heat the rains came.The night was washed out,and so was a nice points night.We would have to come back and try again on Friday.So we loaded up the car and headed to our favorite spot to drown our sorrows.I believe many,many silver bullets were consumed that night bringing the total to 180.
Friday was our chance to prove that we were no fluke.We drew the last number and gave it one hell of a lap that was almost identical to Thursdays.The rev chip kicked in too soon during the lap which cost us in time.But we still ended up 10th quick.A solid lap that proved we were a threat for the $10,000.We ran solid in the heats for more points,and ended up 8th in points for the nights A-Qualifier.A solid run would have put us up front in Saturdays Main.However,during the qualifier we had a super good run going in 6th,battling with the 5th & 4th place cars when the unexpected happened,on lap 17 we ran out of fuel.It was a miscalculation on my part.I did not realize how much more fuel the motor in Randy's car burned verses mine back home.I thought we had enough but we didn't.I know it kinda took the wind out of the sails of everyone involved,but the car had run awesome up to that point. We were going to have to run the "B" on Saturday and run against some top dogs to get into the feature.Again,we ran solid and came in second.Now it was time for the main,and we were ready.After starting in the rear,we worked our way up to 11th by midrace.The car was on a string and I was just biding my time.Then disaster struck out of the blue when the left rear axle snapped on lap 24 and ended our run for the money.It was disheartning to have everyone work so hard and have the car break an odd item like that.But, I was pleased with how well we showed for the hometown fans.I was overwhelmed by how many fans stopped by our pit after the race to talk and get autographs.When the evening finally came to a close,we headed to Elma lanes one last time.The beer flowed heavy again this night and I lost track of the count because I was paying more attention to the "Big Boobed Beer Girls" from the track instead of what Randy & Johnnie were doing.These gals were sweet as pie and definitely lived up to their well endowed nicknames.I look forward to seeing more of them(hint,hint) next year when I return.
Sunday brought a day of rest and a great day on the lake in the Ward's boat.Oh man, what a great finale to an awesome trip.I honestly hated to leave because again everybody was so friendly and made us right at home.On Monday Bobby V. and Randy took us up to the airport and on the way we had one last meal & beer together.You probably guessed we stopped at Hooter's.Randy wanted wings,and Bobby and I wanted oysters.It was a great meal with great scenery.
Words can't truly describe how wonderful everyone in that area is.My fondest racing memories will always have these trips at the top of the list.I have decided to put my retirement on hold as there are a few races a year I still want to do,the Washington trip will be on my schedule as long as Randy & Sundy will have me.I hope Johnnie gets to make the trip with me each year as I think he has found a second home too ,just like me.Besides I don't think I could go more than a year without seeing Randy & Sundy,Bobby V.,Chris & Kevin,the "Big Boobed Beer Girls", and oh yeah,that girl at the bowling alley!!! |
