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This was a long, hard year, but well worth the issues we faced. Phil Croyle and I battled all year long and unfortunately for him, he wasn’t able to compete in the season’s finale at VIR. Phil is a fabulous driver and a good friend and it was a huge let down not to be able to settle the SEDIV on the track. Good luck getting everything fixed buddy. That should wrap up the year for both of us other than testing and of course the Runoffs in October.

As far as the VIR results go, I was on the pole and converted that into my 5th National race win of the year, and improved on my own track record. There were no major problems to speak of and everything went as planned. Butch Kummer, my crew chief, did a terrific job and called a great race for me on Sunday!!

As far as a year-end review – Consistency was the key. I managed to win 5 – CMP, Memphis, Road Atlanta, Roebling and VIR. I was not able to find a freakin’ power steering pump to start the 2d race at Roebling in July, but other than that, I had no DNFs and my lowest finish of the year was 3d at Homestead. Phil Croyle had a great run during the middle of the year and was able to win at Roebling and Road Atlanta in March and then Daytona in May. He easily won the 2d race at Roebling in July while I was packing up my broken car, which gave him 4 wins for the year. VIR was to be the shootout for the championship, but it never materialized.

Kumho tires sponsored me the whole year, so big thanks have to go out to Rudy and Mike for their support. Without it, I could not race the whole year! The tires, personnel and whole organization are just first class!!!!

Larry, Dan and Matt at Carbotech make the best Corvette brakes on the planet. With their help, I ran them all year long and my confidence to stop was always 10 out of 10!!!

The biggest turning point in the year though was due mostly to just a casual meeting, tape order and subsequent driving instruction at Mid Ohio which took place LAST year! In 2005, Mike Scornavacchi, a T1 racer in the Northeast Division was just getting into this sport last year and asked me for help. I came up to Mid Ohio, instructed him and gave him plenty of pointers to help get him to the pointy end of the grid. He has some serious talent and will content for many titles in the short future. That turning point I was referring to was when he OFFERED TO BUY ME A NEW ENGINE THIS YEAR!!!!! The engine I had was very poor and it was obviously the weakest part of my car. He did buy me a new 04 crate engine and Kurt Ohmstetter and the rest of Joe Aqualante’s Phoenix Performance guys installed and tuned it. For the 2d time, the Phoenix guys brought my car back to life! Without that, I would not have been able to keep up with Phil! Thanks Mike!!! You da’ best!!!!!! You just never know what events in your life will affect the others!!!!

Rich Shafer’s Cool Shirt remains a very wonderful thing in keeping me frosty thru the hottest of days; and Gary Hoffman’s (Hardbar) input and products are just simply first rate.

My part’s guy, Jerry McKinney at Lawrence Chevy, was a HUGE help to say the least!!!!!

Thanks to my family for your caring and support. My Mom is now officially a cancer survivor!!!! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped assist me during the year – David, Teddy, Chris, and many others!!!

Last, but certainly not least - My crew: Butch Kummer and Michelle (love of my life). Your support of my ‘crack habit’ makes all this possible and so much fun. I could NOT do it WITHOUT YOU! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Yep, we work very well together!!!

Next event is the Runoffs – October at Heartland Park, Topeka, KS! C U all there!!!!!!

Qual: It was about 85 during qualifying today after some intermittent rain showers for most of the morning:

me - 2:05.26

Jorge Narario - 2:09.65

Joseph Gaudette - 2:10.52

Steve Epley - 2:11.43

Michael Filistovich - 2:17.60

Love VIR!!!!!!!!!!!



RACE:

T1

Chris Ingle 2:06.86

Jorge Nazario 2:09.39

Steve Epley 2:09.25

Joe Gaudette 2:10.22

Michael Filistovich DNF