 | RACING PERSPECTIVESWild West Recaps
by Eric McClure - Staff Writer
NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver
04/16/2008
For the past two weeks I've thought about how to lead into the column regarding the Texas race, but I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to talk about the Nationwide series race at Texas. Period. It was a race all of the Front Row team would like to forget and as far as we are concerned it didn't happen. We just had problems and we didn't finish. It was awful and the team works too hard for that. However, the rest of the week was kind of interesting.
Emily and I arrived in Texas to, you guessed it, Tornado watches. Fortunately we didn't get into one while there. We made the two hour drive to Tyler, TX to do an appearance at the local Brookshire's store and I want to thank the folks that waited in the rain to visit with us. From there, we went to the hotel and had dinner with the team. The highlight of the day was the initial 30-minute conversation Emily had with the reps at Advantage rental cars, and then the subsequent calls she made. Due to my wonderful media law class at E&H I can't go into detail, but let's just say that I'm very proud of Em and we will never willingly rent from those folks again. Em does a fantastic job for me, as well as representing the Hefty® brand team and I know I'm not the only one pleased with what she does. On a positive note, AirTran really worked with us on our trip back. Their employees are awesome.
On Thursday, we had a limited practice and no qualifying (rain, of course) and then we did an appearance at the Brookshire's track store, which was in a tent. However, it did look like a store. Friday saw us make two appearances at Wal-marts, first at North Richland Hills and then later at my favorite store, Decatur, TX. As is customary, they gave me a gift for Mabreigh and then a hilarious gift and card. There were a LOT of people at these stores and it's really humbling that people come out to see a Nationwide-only driver that's 30th in points…and to buy groceries (It's a joke, people. Please see the humor.) Friday night, I joined some of the Hefty® brand folks at dinner with a few fine folks from HEB. We had a great time!
When we got home, Mabreigh was working on a double-ear infection that she had experienced since before I left.
Evidently, she didn't take well to the medicine and let's just say that a pair of pajamas and two sheet changes later (yes, it happened twice) she finally went back to sleep. It was literally the most pitiful thing I have ever seen and it broke my heart that Daddy couldn't fix it. Mama could, though, and it never amazes me what mothers can do. Mabreigh is now getting back to normal, with new medicine, and her new thing is to try and play with Annabelle. Life is great.
From there we headed to Phoenix. We actually had a decent weekend. We were fair in practice and qualified ok, considering we went out first (again.) The race itself wasn't bad and we may have ruffled a couple of feathers along the way, but hey, we were racing as hard as we could. As was the case at Nashville, we had a brake issue come on about halfway that really hurt us. That not only caused a drama on the restart that we were lined up first on the inside, but cost us time and spots at the end. Again, we were better than we finished, I think. But the guys were great, they worked hard, Cal made some good adjustments in the race and we showed some more gains. Finally, thanks to Courtyard in Arlington and Courtyard in Scottsdale for the hospitality of the team the past two weeks.
This week I have off. The Nationwide Series heads to Mexico City, but I will not be driving. My schedule does not call for Mexico, Canada or Watkins Glen, so Brian Simo, a good road racer, will take control of the No. 24 machine for the three road course events this year and go after a great finish and those valuable owners' points for us at those races. So, good luck the Front Row Motorsports team. I'll be watching, and at the Doodlebops with Mabreigh…on the front row.
Talladega is coming up next. I'll let you know how it goes.
Random Thoughts for the Week:
The Red Sox honored Bill Buckner recently and the fans gave him a two-minute standing ovation. That was a cool thing. Kudos to them and their fans. Never would have expected it from them.
On the way from Dallas to Tyler, TX, there was a place in between some ranches called "Toon-town." It had camels, ostriches, and Zebras…and a dog. I would have stopped, but Emily said no….and it was raining.
I tugged on my uniform in Texas and chest-bumped the mascot at the track. How cool is that? It didn't really turn out the way I thought it would. I was cheered, though. Two in a row!! (Phoenix was three, too, btw).
Speaking of "cool,"…My nephew, Titus, turns three this week. He has these glasses and says "Do I look 'chilly?'." He's the best.
Memphis didn't win "The Dance." My trainer, Justin Wimmer, was a member of the 1995 Sweet Sixteen team and told me this was the year. He's in mourning. I didn't watch the end. Miranda changed the channel…and I was asleep.
In Texas, we stayed at the Courtyard at the Ballpark. Within walking distance was a water park (closed), Six Flags (closed), the Texas Rangers (out of town), and the new Cowboys Stadium (Cal was happy about that - Go Redskins). Joe's Crab Shack was open. At least something was.
It's 6 am in the Charlotte airport (on Saturday morning). There are five people at our gate (for Tri Cities). It is very quiet in this airport…except for the phone that has been ringing at the next gate for 10 minutes. No one is there, but it keeps on ringing. You would think that whoever is calling would know that no one is there. Having said that, someone just walked up there. I wonder if it was the guy that was calling?
Tom Glavine is back in Atlanta. He has had two great performances ruined by relief pitching. There's really no significance to this statement. I'm just glad he's back in Atlanta.
I used to use the phrase "Kicked them in the teeth" when referring to sports. Guess what Mabreigh did? Yes, kicked me in the teeth, while I was asleep. Yes, she sleeps with us sometimes, especially when she is sick. And, yes, it hurt. She's stout.
Speaking of kids…Miranda likes to watch the show about the Duggers on one of those channels she likes. They have something like 18 kids, and surprisingly a lot of organization, which is impressive. I think Miranda wants 18 babies. If we had 11, we could start a football team. I could be the new Al Groh.
One of the traffic attendants at Texas Motor Speedway actually used the word "duh" to us (in a really loud and unprofessional way.) I haven't heard that word since I was in high school.
You can reach Eric McClure at: EMcClure@Catchfence.com
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