My 2009 Racing Season at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

[Chuck, a.k.a. "Mr. Neato"]

Well everyone,

My new season is officially started. It started last Saturday, March 21 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. Unfortunately, I didn't race last week, as I thought I needed new tires to race this season. The officials prefer to have us buy new tires every year to ensure our safety on track, as well as help them profit from the sales of the tires. LOL A set of 4 tires, for me, costs $450 - $500....right in that frame. I didn't have the money to get the tires, and still don't, but should be getting some soon. I was kicking my butt royally last week when I was talking to one of my competitors at the autograph session, and he told me I could have used the old tires for that race. To be blunt about it, I felt like an ass after hearing that.....all I needed to do to complete it, would be the HEE HAW sound to go with it. LOL

I did have a "tune up" race at Willow Springs raceway in Rosamond, Ca., a few miles west of Edwards AFB on March 8, 2009. This race was for points, and there were only 4 of us racing in my division that day, and my car handled beautifully there, and I was turning laps on that 1/4 mile track at 17.5 seconds a lap, which if I were on the track at Irwindale, I'd be doing an 18.5 seconds per lap. Only problem for me was, I neglected to look at my radiator before I left or when I got up there. I was in the middle of the main event, a 30 lap race, and around lap 10, I noticed my water temperature was about 230 degrees, which is not good. I should have been running a water temp of about 180 - 200 degrees. Needless to say, my car was slowing down and so about lap 13 or 14, I dove into the infield coming out of turn 4, and just waited until the race was over. I was credited with a 4th place finish, and have a total of 44 points.

I do intend on racing mostly at Irwindale, and will probably go to Orange Show Speedway. This weekend at Orange Show, as well as the following week, the division I would be in is racing, but I won't be there tomorrow. I'm thinking about going on April 4 and racing that day, but not totally sure yet. The next race at Irwindale for me will be on April 11. I'll put the dates that my races are supposed to be at irwindale here:

March 21 (Opening Night)
April 11 & 25
May 9 & 30
June 20
July 18
Aug. 1, 15 & 29
Sept. 26
Oct. 24 (Final Points)

Hopefully any of you who live out in the Southern California area by Irwindale or Orange Show Speedway, come on down and cheer me on. Of all the divisions, our division puts on a great race each time out, and I have heard that from several fans in the stands after I've raced. The other divisions that race there, put on a great show as well, but when you talk about grass roots racing at it's best, you can't go wrong with the Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks (which are now called Classic Stocks at Irwindale), as well as the Legends cars. These 3 divisions are grass roots racing at it's best. Who says you have to spend thousands of $$$$ to race, when you can spend less than $2000 for a whole season in these lower divisions.

Take care everyone, and have a great weekend!!

Chuck