Practice and qualifying went well. The start was great, the first stint, damn near perfect,the pit stop/driver change smooth. James Bondurant ( grandson of Bob, and obviously from the same car control/racer mentality gene pool) was setting up the Lawson brothers Factory Five at turn 9, with the plan to take him at 10, when the Lawson car got very sideways, James checked up, the Miata behind didn't.The impact put the Miata out...they may have eventually gotten back in, many hours later..I lost track. Our car was damaged in the right rear..tail lights, fiberglass ,lots of duct tape and some hammering and the car is back in the race. Hooray?? Not so fast. the radiator had been damaged ....... back in for a radiator change. As the race played out, the other results of the impact showed themselves.Such as, ( not in correct order, I can't remember exactly the flow, and don't have the log to refer to) strange handling caused by a suspension bracket cracking. Quick,get the welder. Then poorly running engine would not stay running, trouble shoot, change fuel pump, requires dropping fuel cell,out you go.Worse strange handling, bracket,not weld broke,change rear axle,bleed brakes, etc...and he's off and running, but not well, more trouble shooting, bad connection at the fuel pump(metal connection pin in the plastic connector had come loose,) easy to find thru large gapping hole in trunk floor ( tin snips and hammer and chisel),Hot wire fuel pump , off he goes, here he comes, Pull sprout (bypasses computer control of ign timing) , set timing about 33 degrees, runs like a car with too large a carb. won't idle ,but races just fine.Errant piece of sheet metal creates a shop wall art piece... a new polished wheel with about 2 inches of rubber extending from the beads. The tread and half the side walls are gone. Only the beads and about 2 inches of side wall remain. Will look great with a brass plaque. Result of this is damaged exhaust side pipe,,bell housing and starter ground on pavement. Fix exhaust/pull starter, push start and he's off and running....BIG SMILES all around...Checker flag....FastTech awarded us "Most Perserverance"plaque.Over 8 hours in the pit.

As you well know,these few sentences can't convey the intensity of the situation, nor the effort and resolve required. This crew was fantastic.The knowledge,competence,enthusiasm,and cooperation were teriffic.There was never an angry word or a thrown wrench,just problem solving, helping each other and good humor. I've only seen this once before in my life.( Back in my propping up falling domino days). It was magic.

All the problems were the result of being hit, except one engine smoothness problem caused by an inlet temp sensor wire- tied to the tubing in the eng compartment becase there was no boss in the inlet for it. We think that the cold (26 degree F)temp caused the problem. It ran fine in warm weather. Might need a rear bumper for next year.

My stint was dark,cold,tired. Didn't break anything or hit anything. No rain this year.

You dad's team finished 3rd in class with both cars. Well done. Results are on the NASA site. Our car was #22. It should be retired and bronzed.

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