Folks,
If you are reading this page you have most likely seen that I finally fulfilled part of my dream of drag racing (something). As you know it has been a long process to finally achieve the first phase. Those of you that know me, also know that none of this would happen without the support of my Sunshine (my wife Traci). The picture above was taken after the second of three days of racing with about 4 hours of sleep for each one of us. We were both so tired but felt such accomplishment after making six runs with no mechanical problems whatsoever!
The car is an awesome car that goes straight and true every run. But even more awesome is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for giving us the ability to achieve our dreams, allowing us to be born in the greatest country on earth, having a great family and friends to support me, and for giving me the love of my life.
I am so lucky to have met Traci about 39 years ago in Doris Duncan's english class at Odessa High School. She was so sweet and kind and would actually talk to a geek like me. You see, I was already into all things mechanical and did not hang out with the school kids. I hung out with my family at Colorado City Lake or at places like the Handlebar Flats Motocross Track and Penwell Drag Strip. I was too young to drag race but both of my brothers did and it is something that I guess I never got out of my system. I never really got to do much drag racing because I married Traci right out of high school and we started raising our family. I worked all of the time to make ends meet and time just got away from us. I built some drag cars and engines for other people but never had one for myself.
A couple of years ago when Traci and I realized that our chance to do these kinds of things was slipping away, we began our journey that took its twists and turns and finally ended up starting with the "Blue Banana". Turns out (as always) that God led us down the right path to achieve my dreams. I realize now after face planting my sport bike at Texas World Speedway, a mechanical failure in the brand new engine I built for the drag boat, and several other of God's signs, that the "Blue Banana" is the right place to start.
I would have probably killed myself in the boat an could have done the same if I had started in the "Black Hole" (the Corvette ProMod).
This first race weekend was a great experience in many ways as well as a huge eye opener for how long it will take to master this sport. It was also good to see and meet some of the really nice families involved in drag racing. We met families who had husband, wife, son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids all racing together. Not many sports have that kind of family involvement! There were public prayers, a chaplain to support the racers, the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, and other not politically correct stuff going on all the time. PC has not taken over drag racing yet, thanks God!
I was really struggling with the starting lights and releasing the transbrake in a timely manner and a gentleman named Lester came over and showed me how to fix my problem. His advice really made sense and it has already helped me. There are really nice people at the drag strip!
I have a long way to go but I am on my way now.
The real heroin in this ordeal has been my Sunshine. She was there every step of the way. She made sure I had all my service work done, my safety gear in order, communications equipment on/working, and made sure I was safely strapped into the "Blue Banana". She gave me comfort in knowing everything was in order and helped me to focus on what I was supposed to do, drive the "Blue Banana".
Thanks you Sunshine for your never-ending support of my hobbies and achieving my dreams. Thanks most of all for being my other half. I love you dearly!!!
This story has only begun. My initial goals are accomplished, now the new goal is to actually win a round of racing or two. The ultimate goal is to win a real "Wally" trophy at an NHRA event. It is a lofty goal but then again, look at where God has led me so far. Stay tuned, much more to come!
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