It was definitely toasty, but worth it.
It seemed like everyone had a good time

Brad and Brett are great folks - thanks for coming, and I look forward to seeing you again!

Thanks to Gary and Barbara for hosting and feeding (and the Dueling Kias ), and to Courtney for the encouragement.

My knack for drawing National Champions is intact, as I ended up against Rodney in the first round.
I broke out by -.011 trying to stay ahead of him
Oh well.

Excuses:
First time back on the track in about 10 years
Only 3 passes on the car
170 mit aluminum flywheel = doesn't want to launch

Even so it went quicker each time as I learned it, and my lights were getting better each time too.
Also, it wasn't the slowest car there

I got a few pit shots that I will try to post this afternoon, but didn't get any race shots.

_________________
O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston

I just got home, about 5:30 PM
Had a fun weekend.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I got home on Saturday night about 8:30 with no more breakdowns. Thanks Charlie and everyone else that helped me with replacing a starter on my motor home and all the work and parts that were put on the Dart to keep me winning rounds. Next thing on the list is to install a new water pump and put a alternator back on the car to make it easier to race. This car really run well with the new slicks on it. Thanks to all the Bruners for putting on a good race weekend. Car is still for sale Norm

The Bruner loaner that carried Jack to the finals
Isiah did a great job driving the Funny Truck
Lou did his best to keep The Spirit of Pederson flying
I told Rodney he could could leave the Lancer in the trailer, but he didn't listen
At ease, Gentlemen!

_________________
O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston

_________________
O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston

Thanks for the pics and thoughts, Joe! Great to see you.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Thoughts from Knoxville…

I had so much fun this weekend watching Chase and CJ race!
Chase found the tree with his first test pass with a -.051 and then drilled it the rest of the weekend with:
.028
.073
.037

His last pass was against Rodney Hargis in the third round of the Knoxville race Friday night. He cut a better light than Rodney and beat him to the finish, breaking out by .085 running 8.995 on a 9.08 dial in.

I set CJ up for failure on his very first pass in the Duster. He had only made 2-3 passes in Angie’s CRV the Wednesday before at Ohio Valley.

Since we had already run one race, we didn’t get a time trial for the make-up Motor Mile race.

Me: “Okay CJ, remember what we talked about. Good luck & Go Git ‘Em!”

CJ: “Umm,… Okay Dad. I’ll do my best…”

It wasn’t the greatest pass, but he made it down the track okay. That got the jitters out of the way so he could focus on day two of racing.

Day two was better with two time trials. Each burnout and launch got better as he figured out the brakes. His first elimination run was against Brett Padgett in The White Rat.
We had dialed a 9.30, unsure if CJ would get the launch dialed in and if the heat would slow the Duster. Brett dialed a 9.21.

Well, he nailed the launch and the heat didn’t effect the Duster. He broke out with a 9.00! I’ve never seen someone so happy to lose a race before!

Me: “Remember to go congratulate Brett on the win.”

CJ: “I need to let my voice recover first. I was screaming the whole way down the track and back to the pits!”

Chase: “Yeah. Well,… I ran 8.99 last night. Just sayin’…”

That set the scene for the “Battle of the Kias” a little while later…

Gary and Courtney Bruner had talked the track owner, Tommy, into letting us run some more test passes during the diesel truck race. We had already loaded up the Duster, so Courtney and Barbara tossed the keys to their 2016 and 2019 Kia Sorrentos to Chase and CJ and said, “Have fun!”

They battled back and forth with plenty of trash talk in between and even switched vehicles so one couldn’t say to the other that the car was faster… LOL

CJ: “If you beat me on this next pass I’ll eat my sock I’ve been wearing all day.”

Chase: “I’ll hold you to that.”

Luckily, CJ won the next pass and I didn’t have to moderate that one!

Speaking of trash talk…

The little heads up grudge match between me and Isaiah Bruner ended up with me drilling him on the tree with my best reaction time of the year with a .005 to his -.054 red light.

The Duster was running .20 faster than the Funny Truck, so a heads up race wouldn’t be fair…
I told Isaiah that our Coke bet could be decided if he and Chase got paired up during the race…

That happened in Round 2 with Chase winning. He cut a .073 light to Isaiah’s -.050 red light and ran 9.090 on a 9.04 dial to Isaiah’s 9.224 breakout on a 9.23 dial.
Isaiah paid up like a gentleman and went on the next day to put Rodney Hargis on the trailer!

We had 5 Rookies making passes this weekend!
Brad and Brett Padgett in The White Rat
Isaiah Bruner in The Funny Truck
Mistie Bruner in another Slanted Dakota
CJ Simmons in GodsRods Duster II

I’m figuring up all the points now. Jack Jr. and Jack III have taken over the points lead!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Here are the results from racing at Knoxville this weekend.

Jack Everhardt III is our new points leader with one round over his old man.

Way to go Jack Attack!!

Isaiah Bruner jumps on the scene to take the Rookie points lead at his home track!

Welcome to the fun Isaiah!!

If anyone sees any mistakes in my points calculations, please let me know. Thanks!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Nice write-up Rob. We sure had a good time.

_________________
“Buy the ticket, take the ride.”
― Hunter S. Thompson

I had a great time at Knoxville, even though I wasn't racing. This is only he second Slant Six race I have attended without a race car. The first was back in 2000 at Commerce, Ga. when I just drove up to check out what Seymour was "selling". I have made at least one race every year since.
Thanks to the Brunners for letting me stay at their house. Rob Simmons for picking up and bringing me a set of headers.
Lou Madsen for some wheels/tires, and wheel adapters.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

It was great to finally meet you Charlie.
Brad

_________________
“Buy the ticket, take the ride.”
― Hunter S. Thompson

Same, I did mean to mention meeting new slanted friends.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225