4/14/08

Soooooooooo close. Again.

Ashley ran a tremendous race on Sunday on a tricky track that got the better of so many top-notch teams. The track surface was 130-degrees all day Sunday and when you take a look at the big dogs that went home early (such as John failing to qualify for the second straight year at this race) you’ll find some real powerhouses.

Robert was one of them, losing in the second round. But Ashley charged to her third career final round and came within a nano-second of winning her first national event in the class. It was quite coincidental that on Friday, I wrote a piece for ESPN.com about how either Ashley or Melanie Troxel has the best chance of being the first woman to win a Wally in the F/C class. Tim Wilkerson left on Ashley in the final but was nosing over near the finish line. It was only his better light that gave him just enough of a pad to stay ahead of her at the finish line. But in the final analysis, Ashley has already easily become the most formidable female Funny Car driver in NHRA history. That first win could come as soon as the next race in Atlanta.

Mike again missed winning his first round of eliminations, and while we were having our Media Workshop session Saturday evening, he very emphatically admitted to me that he really wants that first round win not to be everyone’s primary focus.

“I just want to get past it”, he told me. “I’m not out here to win one round. I’m out here to win races and win another championship ring like the one I have from 2005 with (Gary) Scelzi. Yeh, winning that first round will be great but I don’t constantly think about that. I’m thinking about the big picture and that means winning a whole lot more than one round.”

He was pretty animated when he expressed to me how he felt—much more so than the usually laid back and low key person most people see when he’s interviewed on TV or chatting with the fans. It was a side of him I’m hoping everyone else gets to see as time goes on because passion and commitment are two qualities that create loyalty and support from drag racing fans everywhere. And I encouraged Mike to use that same energy and sense of conviction whenever he gets before the TV cameras. As I tell all of the drivers I work with, “Let the audience in!”

One of the things I have enjoyed greatly over the years has been the custom of sitting down in John’s motor coach in his pits at national events and just talking about a thousand different topics from our families, what we do when we’re home between races, developments in TV, sports, people we both know, etc., etc., etc.

We haven’t done it once so far this year. And it’s not because we don’t want to, but somehow our schedules have been out of sync once the race weekend begins. And although I didn’t get some quiet time with him this weekend, I can tell you a little secret however. (Please lean in closer to your monitor.)

While I was talking to a couple guys on John’s crew on Saturday afternoon, I saw Bruton Smith himself head over to John’s motor coach to see if he was around. John was, as per usual, somewhere else and so I don’t know if one of the most famous, successful, and visible personalities in professional racing ever caught up with John. If he did, I guess we would all like to have been privy to their conversation as the rumor mill always cranks up to full throttle whenever Bruton is sighted anywhere near an NHRA event. Of course, he does own the Las Vegas Motor Speedway which would make his appearance at the event it bit less mysterious. Just something else to ponder.

We’ll all be in Atlanta in two weeks for one of the truly historic races in NHRA’s 57-year lifespan, the Southern Nationals. I always get psyched about that trip to Atlanta (the track is actually in nearby Commerce) because just about everyone stays in Athens, GA, which is a really cool college town—home of the University of Georgia. Great restaurants, tree-shaded streets with dozens of cafes, shops, and gathering spots, and a totally mellow vibe. I can’t wait!

After the race, I’ll have more from “In the Groove” so swing back this way if you have a moment. As always, buckle up and drive safely!