Race night!!

Kirk raced his car at Bloomfield last Friday night. It was his first time out, and he did great. I'll try to hit the high (and lo) lights.

This was just before he went out for the first time. Check out the flames!

Waiting "on deck" to go onto the track. I think this was the second of three times on the track.
Finally on the track.

It's race time.

So, you start out with "hot laps" when you are just practicing and seeing what the track is like with your car. After all 5 classes did that there are "heat races". The heat race is maybe 6 or 8 laps and this is how you get your place for the "feature race". During the heat race Kirk's car started smoking (see video below) and so he was black flagged, so he had to stop just 2 or 3 laps into it. The smoke was because of the valve cover gaskets leaking (???), but him and his crew (meaning one other friend - Jason) changed it quickly to be ready for the next race about 30 minutes later. Because of the black flag, Kirk started 23 out of 23 for the feature. But he finished 11th out of 23. It wasn't without some excitement. Kirk hit the wall and caused a caution around lap 7 of 14. He got it started and still did great! It was quite fun - something he hopes to do most Friday nights (and maybe some Wednesday nights in Oskaloosa), not something I need to do that often, but it was fun.

We owe a huge THANK YOU to Becky for watching Grace and Sophia (and Haley and Torren) while Kirk and I were at the race. They came to visit (with Matt joining us also) for an extended weekend - more picture of that to come!! Thanks Becky - you're the best!!