Top Stock Qualifier again, but not without a steep price....

In our last two races, we knew we had some issues with the car. And we addressed them. I won't repeat it, because I chronicled it before.

Our first run today we 10.28 seconds.  We were Top Stock Qualifier at .96 under our index.

We were one of the first cars out, and we knew the burnout was weak on that run. We also knew that we might have slipped a bit starting out. But overall, the car felt pretty good on that first qualifying run. And we were pleased to be back at the top of the stack.

The second qualifying round we were a bit late getting to the staging lanes, and a lot of cars ran ahead of us. We were particularly interesting on one of the new Mustangs. He is one of only a handful of cars that could unseat us from the Top Stock Qualifying position.

And sure enough, he went a full second under his index, putting him ahead if us.

We had a quick strategy meeting, and determined we would push a bit more than last time, and recapture the Top position.

Well, we did it. Boy, did we ever do it! We ran a 10.049 that put us 1.201 under our index. We tried to run slower, using all the tricks that you use. But we just missed, so although we got the top spot, and the only way anyone is going to beat us, they will have to pay the same price that we paid.

Running faster than 1.20 under the index means that on Tuesday, you get horsepower, meaning that we can no longer run in B/SA, our next race, we will be in A/SA...And no longer allowed to run in B.

The worst thing is that you also get torn down. And we were invited to that party today. We had to disconnect almost everything. Remove the intake manifold and throttle body. We had to remove the valve cover on one side, remove the rocker shafts on one side. remove the header on one side, and then remove the head. Our head was then measured every way possible, the combustion chamber was cc'd. The intake runner was cc'd. The exhaust runner was cc'd. The valves were measured, The bore and stroke of the engine were measured. The cam lift was measured, first the exhaust, and then the intake. And the throttle body was measured. The wheelbase was measured. The front and rear overhang were both measured. We were examined every way possible to make sure that our engine was legal.... Then, nearly eight hours after starting the tear down ordeal, the engine was finally back together, after we had been judged to be legal. But we still get penalized on Tuesday...

Oh well, sunburned (And yes, I had sun block with me, but I was too busy to remember that and put some one. I even had taken off my hat as I was sweating so bad So I am really fried.) , and so tired, that I can hardly even think. But we are now back in our hotel rooms, and settling down for a good night's sleep.

 Tomorrow is another day. Let's just see if there is any brave soul out there who is will to pay the same price we did. There still is one qualifying run tomorrow. So there is still a chance.......

Otherwise, we will just stay on top of the Ladder and get a bye run at some point.

Until Next Time... Race Safely, and God Bless!

David