The SMRO Experience

Hello to all my Pro Stock brothers. After a 1600 plus mile trip and a few days assesing damage from too many rough landings (if you have seen the pictures then you know what I mean) I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Danny and all the staff @ Thunder Valley for a great weekend and some awesome racing. From the minute I arrived at the gate both track personel and SMRO staff were friendly and courteous and I can say that their future is bright indeed. The only thing I could ask is for a track a little further north, about 400 miles (what do you say Danny?) As is a Thunder Valley tradition, the track was in top shape and this was proven by the very fast times. I forgot to get all the times but at least the top 3 in the Dot class ran under the current national record with Brendan Kinsella taking the win with a 3.055. As for Mean Streak, we finished 8th with a 3.23 and a bent and twisted rear axle housing. Mean Streak was a little slower than I hoped for but as this was the first outing for the new engine combo at least we put on a spectacular wheelstanding display. This will be fixed for Lima. The racer turnout seemed to be on par for such a high paying race with trucks coming from Connecticut, Indiana, Texas, and all points in between. The payout was another great feature of the shootout. I won't get on my soapbox too much but every racer knows that the price of fuel is going to be a major factor in how much traveling can be done this year.

It was a pleasant change to have the payout start to reflect the HUGE investment we racers have in our rides and with so many classes to run the chances of covering all your expenses and dare I say putting a few extra bucks in your pocket was a real possibility. We again owe Thunder Valley a big thanks for that. By now I am sure most of you have heard about or seen the recent influx of money into the NMRO with a year end purse for the top 3 in Classes 3 thru 6. Well if you can't even keep your website updated how will you keep track of the points? This sure sounds like the traditional preseason hype to me. Time will be the judge of this but what sense does it make to be talking about races in Texas and Illinois if your racers can't afford to get there and the purse wouldn't cover your costs even if you did win? I would love it if someone could explain the NMRO business plan to me because I and the more racers I meet and talk to just don't get it. Two final notes, first, Mike Zibella will be having his race over Memorial Day weekend at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, NY. This is a great little facility with a quick, well-groomed track. As I get more info I will post it ASAP. The last thing is a very big thanks to Duran Watson and his crew for their help over the weekend and the same to Tim Wheelus for his help and welding after the big wheelstand on Saturday. It is very refreshing to have so many racers willing to help another out and this is what makes the sport great. Mean Streak may have left the Valley a little beat up, but we made some new friends and you just can't put a price on that. See you all in Lima.