Burning rubber

Heart/Mind: quiet
Stage notes: Spring fresh scent (folding laundry)

This past weekend I headed down to the Mid-Ohio Raceway to support my friend Clark as he bid to get enough points to qualify for the National Run-offs in September. I'd never been to a race before and wasn't sure what to expect. I don't know if the experience I had was typical, but I loved it! The quiet intensity as drivers prepared their cars and the hodgepodge of people and vehicles was facinating to observe. It seems to be a sport where money talks, and those who had crews to help them and unlimited money for tires, tools, and trailers had some advantage. Despite this, Clark with an assortment of borrowed items and only himself to prepare his Formula Ford, moved up from 5th to take 2nd place. I'm so proud of him.

I was also grateful to get an opportunity to spend time with Kristen Swanson's parents, Denise and Scott. They were kind enough to let me ride with them to the track. God used them to let me see Clark race, something I have longed to do almost since he 1st mentioned his passion for racing when we met 5 years ago. One of the funnier moments of the trip came as Scott was helping Clark to skim debris off of tires. A tool that looks like a hair dryer with a paint scraper attached to it's nozzle is used to warm the tar and peel it away. Occasionally things get a little too hot, however, and flaming tar is seen shooting through the air as it is quickly flung away from the beautician!