Another wonderful afternoon at beautiful Manzanita Speedway. We heard they were going to open the back gate early so we took off as soon as we could so we could wait in line for 45 minutes in 107 degree heat at 70% humidity weather. As luck would have it we still didn’t get our spot to pit in. Maybe it’ll change our luck.

The last race on July 23 rd was rained out which we kind of knew would happen since we were on the pole for the heat and the dash. This week we tried to get them to use the line up from the rainout but they wouldn’t listen. “So Cole make sure you get a low number in the pill draw.” As he’s walking back he is kind of got a smile on his face. What did you get? He said’ “A low number….. low 50’s.” Wow! Last place in the heat and because different cars were there we are in the back row of the dash.

Well just sit her in the sun and sweat for awhile. Tonight we’re going to run both the Midget and Sprint car. There are 3 classes so we should get a break in between. But no, they want the Midget and Sprints to run first in case of rain. Cole gets a front row starting spot in the Sprint heat. Race #1 which is immediately after the last heat of the Midgets.

We run the dash, it’s pretty much 1234 for 4 laps. Cole was 3 rd. Everybody finished where they started. Next up the Midget heat race, there are 2, we’re in the second, starting 7 th. Same thing not much passing by anybody, Cole finished 6 th. Cole is in the last Midget race and the 1 st Sprint car race. We have to tell the tower to hold up so we can switch cars. He’s the only one running 2 classes tonight.

The cars are lined up as he pulls into the outside front row. Next to former champions, Nathan High, Cole gets a good start and stays with leader with Josh Pelkey and six others on his tail. 8 laps nobody but Pelkey could get close but not close enough to pass. A great run 2 nd place (let’s see how the Sprint Car people take this away!).

The line up for the Main, outside front row, next to long time friend Brian Hacker. For the Midget Main we’re 7 th row outside. On the start 2 cars get together in turn 3 as Cole comes in he tries to avoid them and turns the car over on its side. No big deal, we get him upright and check out the car, looks good, let’s go. On the start Cole starts moving up. He’s up to about 10 th when all of a sudden he parks it in turn 3, white smoke and flames come from inside the driver’s compartment. He starts to climb out of the top but realizes its ok and gets pushed in. The universal joint broke and the drive shaft came lose breaking off the fuel pump and power steering pump. Luckily it didn’t hit his feet or legs.

The Sprint Car Main is up next. Its 105 degrees and 70% humidity out, Cole downs a Gatorade, Red Bull and some water. As he’s getting pushed out for the next race everybody is sweating like hostages, but we’re in shorts and t-shirts. Cole in fire proof underwear and 2 layer fire suit covered head to toe. I don’t know how he or any of these drivers do it.

On the green flag into turn one, several cars get stacked up, one of them is Cole. He gets pushed off no damage; he gets back in line all of a sudden the flagmen tell’s him to go to the back. Only him, everybody else gets their spot back. As I go to an official and ask why he says it wasn’t any of them and he should still be in the front row. But at about that time they go green and we’re stuck in the back. Somebody from the Sprint Car Club told the flagman to put him in the back for going to the work area, which we never did. This Club and some of the board members have worked against us since we joined. See the race on March 26 th.

As the race went on Cole made up some spots and you could tell he was fading fast but he held on for 13 th place out of 35 cars that were entered. Not bad considering the weather, running 2 classes, and having a Club Board Member against you. Next up Midget and Sprint at Manzy. Cole says 13 th place not that good. I told him no it’s not, but let’s see 12 cars in front of you and 22 behind you, and you only have been in a Sprint Car 7 times. Yeah you can do better.