My first race at Citrus

[Boneman]

I had a big time last night in the Curry Roofing 100 for mini stocks. It was my first time racing at Citrus...and it showed! The track is surprisingly asymmetrical; a fact which was not apparent to me in my two nights there as a spectator.

So I chased the set-up and driving line all night. My practice laps were very inconsistent, and I managed to blow the settings and the driving in my qualifying laps. It was ugly! My time would have put me squarly in the 4 cylinder bomber feature.

The race drew 26 cars. I didn't see anyone else from FASCAR, but I did recognize some cars from Auburndale.

I was really bad in the beginning, so I pitted in the early going to make some changes. I had Todd McCreary in the pits, so we got somewhat improved and raced until the 50 lap break. After a few more changes, I finally got going better and had a good time with several of the Citrus regulars. It took some seat time for me to get comfortable, and it will take more to get faster, but I am looking forward to trying again.

There were some interesting racers there, and we were parked next to one of them. Don Faunce, only 64 years, had a banner on his car that celebrated his 50 years of race driving. Thanks to Don for letting us use his air tank when mine ran out.

After all these years, I got to meet Winger too!

Thanks to Todd for several hours of pit work, and lots of laughs on the road.

[JackTripper]

Rex is being a tad too hard on himself. When Rex pitted and the King of All Karnac Moderators (KAKM) made a tire pressure adjustment and put two rounds in the LR, I got the distinct impression if there would have been any extended green flag runs and Rex got some heat in the tires his "loose in the middle" condition would have improved. Heck Rex picked off two cars straight away after that change.

Given how some of those guys were wrecking before even getting to the green, Rex did a very respectable job in his "Buick."

[Todd McCreary]

the King of All Karnac Moderators (KAKM)

yeeeeaaaah.

the Super Moderate Super Moderator who ... never moderates anything?



anywho, i also stopped by to say hi to Winger. he was quite surprised to find out that i'm just as obnoxious in real life as i am on the board. and twice as ugly.

[Winger]

Really glad I finally met the Boneman and Todd. Jack Tripper, I've yet to meet. Rex definitely got better after he pitted and looked even better after the break. I think with a little more time on the track he could be competitive. The track is different and last night wasn't a good indicator of a normal program. Got a late start with the rain coming at the end of practice. Then it just seemed to be one of those nights. Unfortunately the sportsmen didn't get a chance to run because of the curfew.
Here are a few pictures of last night show. First picture of Rex and Todd as Boneman explains the difference between pounds and rounds and Todd gets it.

Next couple of a sprint car trying to jump the catch fence. Not great pictures as it was at the other end of the track but you can see the air it got.

[flraceguy]

Hey Rex... Glad to hear that you had a good time... Citrus is an interesting place to go and an even more interesting place to race... I used to make it over to Citrus a time or two, but due to other obligations and things going on (NSS), haven't been able to go over this year...

I bet the challenge that you had there will inspire another trip in the future...

Remember

Go Fast... Turn Left...

[Todd McCreary]

First picture of Rex and Todd as Boneman explains the difference between pounds and rounds and Todd gets it.

clarification: he wasn't explaining the difference between pounds and rounds to me, i was explaining to him the importance of specificity when giving setup instructions.

"take it down 2" doesn't exactly tell me what you really want me to do.

[Winger]

Hehe, I wondered if that would get a response. I assume you both made it home without any serious injuries from fighting. Glad I met you two. Wish I'd had more time to spend with you.

[Boneman]

There will be other Citrus trips. We are trying to figure out a class for his 6 Cyl Probe, a class for Ron's Electra, and a night when the minis run too.

T-mac appears to be thumbing his nose at me in that picture.

[Todd McCreary]

too many people don't understand a thumbed nose these days. next time, i fly a bird for you.



I assume you both made it home without any serious injuries from fighting.

hard to seriously injure someone in a slap fight.

[mr south 59]

"In a slap fight". LMAO That's freakin' funny I don't care who you are.

[ronabneysr]

boneman glad you had fun citrus is good track so is auburndale

but if you wat to have some fun go to columbia speedway you can rock an roll up there on that half miler you got to go if you crash you don't have to worry about fixing your car

but you can have some fun trust me

[Boneman]

Thanks alot T-mac, there goes my reputation as an old school pit brawler.

ronabney, I'd love to try Columbia, but they don't run mini stocks up there. I was heading to to CMP for a 50 lapper in July, but it got cancelled. But you are correct about Auburndale and Citrus, I've tried them both for the first time this summer and liked them a lot.

[RSB]

Luck me I guess!

I've raced at Columbia since '96 and it is pretty fast. But NSS and USA were still my favorites, speed-wise.. I can remember qualifying at USA several times and being able to look at the lap timer coming down the front stretch! R.I.P USA(DAMNIT)!!

[racin movie man]

Hey Boneman (Rex)

I was happy to hear, and see, that you made it over this way. Sorry things didn't work 100% but it sounds like you had fun
If you make another show and need a place to hold over, drop me a line. I am about 1.5 miles from the track and you are welcome. I still have the article you asked for back at the "Reunion" in February. Hopefully i can hand deliver it to ya.
I plan on making the final Citrus show in Novenber for the TBARA.