Andy's Corner
by Andy Belmont-Staff Writer and ARCA Series Driver
05/14/2003

Dismal at Kentucky...

We ran off to Kentucky with that same blind ambition that all of us racer's seem to have. For some reason we all think we can run better on a given day in spite of obvious circumstances. Well, that's me anyway. Kentucky was no exception.

The value of our personnel hit me in the head like a ton of bricks. First and foremost, a critical piece of our program is our crew chief, Bryan Smith. After working what seems like a hundred hours a week for about a year, sickness caught up and the defenses were down. No amount of Nyquil could cure him. Bed rest. So one of my right hands couldn't be there. We have a unique relationship where we share information and Bryan if nothing else keeps me from having too much knowledge and jacking ourselves out of the ballpark. He is also fast becoming very, very good on the shock deal. He has kept us firmly in the hunt all season. With him out sick this week, the guys at the shop realized just how much he means to the team! Jenn didn't make it either. (Mother's Day!) I am lost without her! Jenn has specific jobs of course, but her work ethic and the atmosphere she helps keep lit was missing. So, while the driver was searching for a line around the speedway, I had no car owner to converse with about lap times, lap charts, fuel mileage or any of the other things she takes care of. It's called "being taken for granted," and I seem to have done that well in my life. Time for a major change I believe!

Our interim crew chief for the weekend was my good friend Eddie Sisk. Eddie got thrown into the fire and had his hands full! Wes Hughes was up top doing the spotting and did a great job, which is imperative. But, the big but, it just felt like we were kids and had some spokes missing off the wheel if you know what I mean. You know, when we were little kids and had to adjust the spokes on our first two wheeler? Then, we had them too tight and the wheel wouldn't turn? Well, that is what it felt like all weekend.

I am not going to harp on it. We soldiered on and came home with a whole race car. We will get everyone back on the banana seat with the big high rise handle bars and get going again!

The cup teams come in here and wax everyone's butt. Not a fun deal. For them it has to be like shooting ducks in the kiddie pond at the carnival. I'll bet with testing and all, that they spent more on these last two races that they won, than most of the ARCA teams would spend in a whole season. Makes sense to me. I suggest they bring their super human team to Toledo, Salem or Winchester and see what happens! The field somehow gets leveled out at these race tracks where you have to run a hundred laps on slick and greasy tires. Oh well, just my opinion.

We all know that it is more about money than talent. Talent helps, but it's about funding, organization and funding, technical support and funding and funding. Did you get that? Funding. C-YA next week.

Until next time,
Andy Belmont