An Apology from Aaron

I want to apologize to everybody at the racetrack, friends and family of #33, and to the people that read our blog. I was wrong in what I said about #33 retaliating. I said that he did because I really did think he did. When you race, things happen really fast. I want everybody to know that I was not looking at the flagman throughout the race, and for some reason I was concentrating too much on #33, knowing that he was coming.
So after getting under #33 and accidentally hitting him, I did not know that the flagman was waving the checkered flag. That sounds really stupid on my part, and I cannot believe that I was not aware. I have been beating myself up about it for days. And I feel really bad for opening my big mouth and hurting people that I really care about. I should of thought about the situation first then I would of realized that it was all my fault and I put myself in the wall. If nobody knows what I'm talking about yet, I was still racing after the checkered flag and I came down on #33 trying to go into turn 1 thinking that it was just another lap. Yes, I was very stupid and I am very sorry to everybody. Please forgive me. And I am asking God to help me make better decisions on and off the track but please forgive me if I make the wrong one. I am human.
Aaron

A Tough Night

Last Saturday night was a tough night! During the heat, Aaron started out 1st with the points leader (#33) starting right next to him. #33 quickly took off ahead of Aaron and the 3rd place in points (#22) ended up passing him too. Aaron finished 3rd but we were thankful there were no accidents.
Aaron started out 6th in the feature and an early incident left a few cars scrambling while Aaron avoided the mess and jumped into 2nd. #22 was in first and Aaron began to pursue him. I remember thinking that Aaron could catch up to him but they seemed to be going close to the same speed. Meanwhile #33 was caught up in the mess so he had to work his way up to Aaron and the #22 car. With just a few laps left #33 caught up to Aaron and passed him. Aaron was trying to pass the #33 and found a small opening on the inside on the last turn of the last lap. Coming out of that last turn, Aaron accidentally bumped into #33 and got him loose. Aaron let off to make sure #33 had room and he was able to straighten himself out. Aaron then went to the outside of him after the checkered flag and ended putting himself into the wall. Aaron is fine but the car is getting worked on so he won't be racing this weekend.
After the towtruck dropped Aaron and the car off at the pitslab, Aaron wanted to apologize to #33 so we asked an official to escort us down to #33's pitslab. Elko officials want us to bring them along to keep things calm. #33 wasn't at his pitslab so we went up into the grand stands to watch the rest of the races.
At the end of the night we handed out candy, toys and literature to the racefans and then went down to ask an official to escort us down to the #33's pitslab. However, when we got down there, the #33 and his wife were already down there waiting while the officials were having a discussion about the incident. After a long wait, we finally were able to talk to the race director and he said he didn't see what happened after the checkered flag but he did see Aaron get into the #33 on the last turn. He has dealt with these issues many times over the years and said the best thing to do is to wait a week and then we can all talk it out and that things like this usually work themselves out. Aaron really wanted to apologize but I guess we'll have to wait. Although Aaron didn't hit him intentionally, he knows that the godly thing to do is to apologize.
Even though Aaron won't be racing this weekend we will be at the races so Aaron can have his meeting with the officials and #33. Please pray that it goes well. It's really hard because we really like #33 and his wife. Also, please pray for wisdom. Aaron is thinking about racing a different division.
Some good news for people 62 and older: Tickets to Elko Speedway are now only $5 for regular race nights and $10 for special events (Eve of Destruction, ASA Midwest Tour, Dirt Nationals, etc).

This Saturday night should be a great race for the late models! There's a 93 lap race in memory of Dan Ryan Sr, a former racer and father of 2 current racers. Dan Sr lost his life to ALS this past January and is deeply missed at Elko Speedway. visit http://araceworthwinning.org/.
Also, here's a neat story about Dan Ryan Sr: http://araceworthwinning.org/News/LosingALegend.htm

Michelle

Why Are We Slower?

Last Saturday night, the CRX ran slower than usual. We aren't sure if it was the humid air or because we changed some tire pressures. Aaron started in the back of the pack for both the heat and the feature. Once he made it up to 4th place he couldn't catch up to the leaders. Even the announcer noticed and said he was suprised that Aaron was unable to catch up once he passed the rest of the group. Well, he finished 4th in both the heat and the feature and we are barely hanging on to 2nd in points. With Aaron starting out in back for several races, he has more passing points than any of the Super Hornet drivers. In the middle of the 2008 season, Elko started giving passing points for every car you pass in the feature. We have benefited alot from that rule change!
This Saturday night is cheap date night at Elko. For $30 you can have 2 tickets, 2 pops and a bucket of popcorn. Hope to see you there. It won't be cold out.
We are going back to the same set-up we had when Aaron won his two features. The CRX doesn't like the humidity but maybe it will like the old set-up.
Michelle

Much Needed Rain Cancels Racing Tonight

We have been under drought conditions and many people have been praying for rain. Although we are sad to see the races cancelled tonight we know God's ways are always best. We found out around 2:00 that Elko cancelled their races. As a matter of fact, I called all the race tracks within a few hours from here and everyone has cancelled their races.

Our next race is Friday, June 12th. If you want to come out, let me know and I can email you a $5 off coupon. Just let me know by adding a comment to this post. Hope to see you there!
Michelle

Wisdom and Patience

Last Saturday night, Aaron started 8th in the heat. On the 1st lap, our friend Patrick ended up rolling his car. Thankfully he's just sore but his car has alot of damage. After that scary start, Aaron ended up 4th after trying very hard to pass the 2nd and 3rd place cars who were racing side by side. Aaron tried to go below them, above them and between them but ended up backing off.
In the feature Aaron started 5th. The 1st and 2nd place car were side by side when Aaron caught up to them. When the 4th place guy caught up, there was a 3 way battle for 2nd. Jeremy ended up taking off and got quite a lead before Aaron won the battle for 2nd which is where he finished in the feature.
It's kind of funny. From my perspective, Aaron looked like he was inpatient and I thought his fellow racers would be mad at him. However, Aaron felt like he was being patient because he backed off when it seemed like it wasn't a good idea to make the pass. Also, when we were in the tech barn (for inspection) at the end of each race, the guys Aaron had a 3 way battle with in both the heat and feature said it was a lot of fun. I pray for wisdom and patience for Aaron and all his fellow racers. I guess God is giving Aaron more than I realize.
Check out a picture of Aaron racing in the feature where he caught up to the 1st and 2nd place cars. http://www.elkospeedway.com/drivers/driver-news/173-mini-stocks-to-race-at-elko-speedway-on-july-3-2009-in-20-lap-feature.html
He's also on the home page: http://www.elkospeedway.com/
He's also on Elko's facebook page. You can make comments on his pictures: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elko-MN/Elko-Speedway/66144379561
Michelle