Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Lori Dover, Team Dover Media;

This past week end proved, there are no plans set in stone.

Team Dover was excited to hit the road for a 2 day race again, something we hadn't done in a few weeks. We were all looking forward to getting back to Jackson, Minnesota, especially since we had some good runs there last year.

We rolled into the pits a later than we would have liked, and was greeted by 39 of the best sprint cars around. Jack would draw good, but not good enough, as he would have to start "behind" none other than Sammy Swindell. With Sammy on the outside pole for the heat race, Jack would need to make something happen right out of the box, which he did, but it was still not enough, Swindell would collect the heat race win, with Jack being the runner up.

After the heat races, Jack was 3^rd in overall points, and would earn a redraw Frisbee on the front stretch, where he chose the #7 Frisbee, which would put him in the inside of row 4 for the dash. Not what we were hoping for, but Jack was up to the challenge. After the initial start was called back, Jack was set to make a run, and after gaining 2 positions, in only a half a lap, he was charging hard on the high side of turns 3 and 4, when another car, slid up and hit his brakes, leaving Jack no where to go, but over his right rear, sending him into numerous flips and landing high in the catch fence in turn 4. Jack crawled from the wreckage, and would be transported back to our pit stall via the ambulance. Jack said he was OK, but he was hurting in his lower back and knee. The car was totally trashed…broke the frame in 3 different spots on the front. Jack and the crew were able to change out the front axle, and make the car so we could roll it in the trailer. So much for our 2 day week end in Jackson, MN. We would load up, and Marc would make the long drive home. Swindell would go on to win the $5,000 race.

We all had plenty of time to think about what we would do Saturday. Jack thought it would be a good time to take the 24a out to Eagle, but Gary Swenson had some Graduation party's to attend, so that was not possible. Jack was also thinking with the way his back and knee felt, it might just be a good day to stay home and rest…..but like always, Marc and I were up for the challenge….

…..get up Saturday morning, and put together a whole new car to take to Eagle Saturday night.

I let the guys sleep till 10:30 a.m., and decided it was time to roll them out….I also made some calls to Dan and John Satriano, along with Adrian, Wyatt and Tyler. Marc loaded up and headed out to Lincoln, to get some much needed parts at Speedway Motors…the rest of us went to work, dismantling the wrecked car, and putting together the new one. At 4:45, we rolled out the new car, and after firing it the first time , and discovering a fuel and power steering leak, the repairs were made quickly, and the car was fired again…purred like a kitten, no like a "LION"…we loaded up and was on the road for Eagle at 5:00. I commented while standing in the shop and looking at the wrecked bare frame; that we were like a bunch of "vultures" feeding on a dead carcass…nothing left of it. We all enjoyed the short 40 minute ride to Eagle, it was the first time in 6 hours that any of us, had a chance to actually sit down and take a breath for a minute. The crew unloaded and finished putting the final adjustments on the new car. We did not make our hot lap session, which always worries me, on a new car, that has not been shook down yet. I asked the crew to double check everything again, as we did not need anything to break or fail. Jack would start 6^th in the 3^rd heat race, and was leading it, by lap 3; he would go on to collect the heat race win, a full half lap ahead of the rest of the field.

Now, we would prepare for the A feature, on a surface that was very dry and slick. Jack would have his same starting position as the weeks before, sixth row outside. On the first lap of the race, one of Jack's best competitors, Mike Boston was taken out, and would not return to the track. Jack would start his journey forward, and on the dry slick track, it would be a case of "picking em off" one at time, which is just what Jack did. With 6 to go, Jack took the lead, but it was not smooth sailing, as Jack would bicycle in turns 1 and 2, almost completely losing it, he was able to gather it back up, but only after the 23s of Stu Snyder would get back past him for the lead. Now Jack would have his work cut out for him, as Stu wanted this bad. Jack and Stu would battle for the last 3 laps, with Jack coming out victorious, but not by much. Jack and Stu both commented, that this race brought back many memories of all the winter time racing they did at Velocity Indoor Karting. They felt like they were back in the carts, giving each other one slide job after another. It was awesome to see 2 good friends standing together in Victory Lane!!

This week will be a busy one, with 5 days of racing ahead. We can only hope that this week end turns out like last year's Memorial Day week end!!!!

Up Next:

Thursday…5/27…..Midwest ASCS at I-80

Friday…5/28…….Midwest ASCS at Junction Motor Speedway

Sat and Sun …5/29/30…..National ASCS at Jetmore, KS..Steve King Memorial

Monday….5/31……NCRA at Wichita, Kansas

Things worth noting

• A very special thanks goes out to everyone who came and helped us Saturday, put the new car together. Adrian, Rowdy, Wyatt, Tyler, and especially Dan and John Satrino…we would have never been able to do it without you guys ….YOUR THE GREATEST!

THANKS SO MUCH!!

• The track surface at Eagle is very perplexing….sure hope they get it figured out, by the time the National guys arrive there

• Loved seeing the look on everybody's faces as we pulled into Eagle…AGAIN……..Priceless

• Jack returns to the Steve King Memorial as the reigning Champion…sure hope we can make it 2 in a row!!!

• Was great to see some of our fans and friends in Jackson, Minnesota, just wish we could have stayed longer.

• Team Dover is still in need of a full time crew member…..looking for someone with prior experience. if interested, please give us a call at (402) 253 8050

• All of us here at Team Dover are anxious to get back with our friends and competitors on the National ASCS tour; it has been way too long!!

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day week end and see you at the races!!!!

Was sorry to see what happened Friday in Jackson but at least Saturday had to be satisfying. Good luck this week.

Team 3D

Heck of a weekend! Thanks for making the trip to Jackson...