After the successful race WE had at Phoenix, I thought that might be our high for the season. Well, if you are still SHOUTING, don’t let me stop you! If you sit back and relax, you’ll never get into motion with the news I have for you from Watkins Glen. If you thought Phoenix was a trip, hang on!!!!!!
Forty-one cars entered the race, and thirty-nine qualified: SRP 7, SRPII 5, AGT 4, GTS 4 and GT 19. If I told you it RAINED during qualifying, would you be surprised? #81, in the capable hands of Darren Law, took the 15th position. He grazed the wall during the session and the crew spent the afternoon repairing the car. The evening session was much better. #81 ran the fastest lap in GT class, which gave the team of Drendel, Law and Murry (David drove with the #81 team in Daytona, too) a much-needed confidence boost for the race.
The track conditions, caused by the wet weather, held some of the fastest cars in the back of the field. That made for a very exciting start. Another exciting event – SUN. We hardly knew how to behave, but knew it was a good sign. The 2:30 start, with Darren Law at the wheel, is a scramble. He is able to make up time and the "going" settles him into a nice pace.
David Murry had the second stint, and before handing the car over to Matt, a yellow caution flag is out. He radio’s the crew chief," When I pit, you will have to play with the sway bar, it’s in need of some help." Crew chief says," Copy." (The sway bar, or stabilizer bar’s main function is to reduce roll, and it influences overall handling as well)
Matt takes control of the car about 6:40 P.M. Chief radio’s to crew and Matt, "Guys, get ready to send him out and bring him back in again". There is not enough time to fix the sway bar problem—chief radios, "20 seconds, can’t get done, send him out. Need to go, need to go. Matt, remember pit speed – pit speed. Matt, want you to catch field, then come right back in because we didn’t get quite tight."
Matt to chief, "Come in this lap? There’s a really bad wreck down here" – Chief says," Let me know when you get to Nascar Circuit (name of a corner). Pass pit lane, do one more lap. Need to know if you have radio." "Yes, have radio. Can you hear me?’ Chief, "yes, loud and clear."
Matt questions, "Enter pit lane this lap? Which way do I need to turn wheel when I get in?" (Because the crew doesn’t know which side of sway bar needs "tweeking", they will have to guide the car in for a look). Chief tells Matt, "Point the car straight and take your hands off the wheel, we will turn it. Be very cautious of pit lane speed—no need for a penalty here." Jokingly, Crew chief radio’s to Matt, again," Try not to run over the outside wheel guys!" "We’ve got about three minutes, guys, take your time and lets do it right."
To Matt, the chief radio’s, "You’re still one lap up. Plenty of time to catch the field, no hurry. You should have a decent car to drive." Matt then tells chief, "I’ve got a high temp warning." Chief, "Copy. It should be fine. One more caution lap to go. Confirm reserve is off." Matt, "Confirm, reserve is off."
Caution lap’s about over. Chief tells Matt, "I’ll call green for you." Pace car pulls off track and Matt hears, "Green, green. Clear track, Matt, clear track. Good job. Beautiful, just beautiful…keep on doing what you’re doing."
Matt now radio’s chief, "Feels like the rear grip is going away." Chief calls back, "Copy. Can you hold on for a while longer? Maybe 5 to 10 laps?" Matt answers, "Yes, I think it will hold that long. By the way, these tires are *****"
Later, crew chief calls Matt. "Still hanging in there? Haven’t heard from you lately." Matt’s response is garbled. Chief says, "Didn’t copy. Only about three more laps to go. Stay concentrated, give me good focus." "I hear you…." "O.K. Matt time to pit this lap. Pit this lap. Call me when you get to pit lane." "Pit lane…" "Watch speed limit, no penalties, loosen belt." Matt and Darren make driver change. Only about 2 hours to go.
I knew he sun was a good sign-------the team takes FIRST PLACE in GT and 8th overall!!!!!!! Whew, what a celebration we got going on. We’re on our way to the PODIUM. It’s gettin’ to feel real comfortable up here. It’s this team’s first, first place this year--------Can you hear it? It sounds like drum rolls and horns playin’. I know it’s all in my head or, maybe it’s all in my heart. But, if everyone was smiling any bigger, you’d be blinded by the sight… what a glorious sight! See you all next week at Lime Rock
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