[Pulling into the pits the crew began working feverishly to install a new transmission.] We only had a 33 point lead coming into this round, ... so we knew we had to get back in the race and score as many points as possible. |
[Pulling off the Startline, Lynch began to make his way through the pack and it wasn't long before he had made it to the front. Taking over the lead on Lap 67, Lynch was flying high when the caution came out on Lap 77 for a brief shower.] Things were looking good, ... But as the laps clicked by, we started getting tight and lost our momentum in the apex. Steve Portenga managed to get by on Lap 117. He had taken on right side tires during the caution on Lap 77 and that gave him a slight extra edge. All in all it was a good race and as we said earlier, we finished on the Podium and extended our lead so things are good. |
[With both qualifying and racing taking place on Saturday, racers will have an open practice on Friday.] Being able to run on Friday really helps, ... It gives us time to make sure everything is in perfect running order and assures that when the Green Flag flies, we will be ready to go. |
[With six out of 12 event completed, Lynch holds the point lead by a margin of 48 points.] We would like to extend our lead this weekend, ... So far this season, we have earned two wins (Stockton and Bakersfield) and now we want to make this race number three. Stockton is a tight little fast-paced track. You really have to think every second of the way. Doing well requires being very clever and being able to save your car. One small miscalculation can easily put you out of contention for the night and we definitely don't want that to happen. Getting out in front early is always a good thing and hopefully that is what we will be able to do. |
[With transmission repairs completed, Lynch pulled back on the track.] We were 17 laps down when we went out and once again were running fine, ... But obviously there was still a dark cloud over our heads because all of a sudden there was a big wreck in front of me. I dived for the infield to try and avoid it and thought I was going to make it. Suddenly another car came through and we got nailed. This time, the radiator was destroyed. |
A win this weekend would be awesome, ... It would take a little of the pressure off the last round. From everything I have learned, Thunder Hill is a great facility, one that has good grip and allows for running both high and low. It is supposed to be somewhat similar to Douglas Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon and that is a track we have done well at in the past. Whatever, I know we will be up to challenge and come race time, we will be set to navigate this uncharted territory, |
Compared to what she was running, these things are pig heavy and have no power. If I had to jump into an Indy Car, I'd be as lost as she was. Now that she's getting accustomed to the cars, we are beginning to see her potential. |
Douglas County Speedway has been pretty good to us in the past, |
Everyone on the team is very, very motivated, |
he explains. There was a lot of rubber on the track from the IRL practice and it began to sprinkle just as I went out. However, I knew we had a great Dodge and figured if we could qualify in the top 10, we would be good to go. |
I can't quite remember a race like this, ... It all started out fine. Our Mr. Gas Dodge was strong and we were making headway, in fact, by Lap 69 we were in the lead. We dropped back to second and then just before the halfway point our troubles began. All of a sudden, we got tagged which resulted in a spin out and, if that wasn't enough, for some strange reason, it broke the transmission. |
I'm looking forward to this race. I really like running on the bigger speedway tracks and tend to do well. They are faster and it is easier to plan your moves. I have competed at Pikes Peak twice before when I was running in the Southwest Series and although it has been a couple of years, the open test session on Friday will bring it all back. I've done well there in the past and really like the track. |
It's been really overwhelming. There have been more people than you can imagine reaching out. |
My guys did an outstanding job, ... They really had to work hard and while it looked like luck was totally against us, we actually came out gaining eight points which puts us in the lead by 41. With one race left we are ready to go and fully intend to bring home our second championship. |
The mailing of this newspaper . . . appears to be an end run around the [campaign finance] $150,000 spending limit. |