3/17/08

Winning the race this weekend was a major priority for the team. The healing that is still underway after Eric’s fatal accident in Gainesville last year would have taken a giant leap forward had one of the JFR cars found a way to the winner’s circle.

All there was at the end of the day on Sunday was disappointment.

All four cars qualified, despite the fact that rain canceled Friday’s qualifying program. With only two shots on Saturday, the pressure was on but John, Ashley, Robert, and Mike got it done. Mike qualified 14th even though he only ran Saturday’s first session because there was a mechanical issue which kept him from making a second pass later in the day.

The Gatornationals were over early for the team. John, Mike, and Robert were out in Round 1 and Ashley was through in the quarter-finals. The energy drop around their pit area was all too tangible. It’s on days like this that I avoid hanging around the teams when they get back to their pits. There’s not a whole lot you can say and since we’re talking about seasoned professionals here, they understand there’s not much TO say. You deal with it, try to take something from the experience that will help you next time, and look ahead to the next race.

John is looking fit but his rehab program continues to demand a lot from him. He’s not constantly on the move like he was before the accident in September, as much because he’s still a bit tender in his left ankle as it is a conscious decision to slow down a tad. I’m pleased to hear him say he’s idling back on his schedule whenever possible. He’ll be 59 in two months and he’s getting better at pacing himself.

I once again saw first-hand in Gainesville the remarkable phenomenon which occurs at national events in the south: Gainesville, Memphis, Atlanta, Bristol, etc. The crowd on Saturday was enormous and the traffic jam leading to Gainesville Raceway at 10 AM—some two hours before the first qualifying session—was massive. It was slow-going from five miles away and where the track personnel eventually found room for everyone to park is one of the great achievements in modern motorsports.

But on Sunday, at precisely the same time in the morning, with final eliminations fast approaching, I literally drove right to the track with hardly a single delay. And that’s the impact of the “Bible Belt” on professional racing. Saturday is the day that families pursue their recreational activities and Sunday is “Go to Church” day, or have their family get-togethers after church. I can remember talking to former racers and officials who worked or competed at Bristol Dragway when it was the showcase venue for the IHRA and they would tell me stories about how great crowds would turn out for Saturday’s program but there were plenty of empty seats to be found the next day, regardless of the weather.

This is not to suggest that Sunday’s crowd in Gainesville was light. It was still a huge gate, but noticeably down from Saturday’s attendance. Pretty fascinating.

We’ll take a couple of weeks off and reboot the computer in Houston for the O’Reilly Spring Nationals (and spring arrives this Friday—YEAAAAA!!!!) at Houston Raceway Park. JFR needs a bunch of round wins and some regular appearances in the winner’s circle to pick everyone up. Gainesville was a real downer.

After the Spring Nationals, come on back here for another “In the Groove” and I’ll have more to say.

Until then, Happy St. Patrick’s Day and drive safely!