Dion Team expects tough competition at White Mountain Speedway Saturday night!
09/12/07:
It feels like forever since we ran our last race at Wiscasset, but Saturday night we get back together again to run the "Pass" race at White Mountain Speedway. It will feel strange not to be running at Loudon on the same weekend but those days seem to be over for us. I guess we should be grateful that there is a series like "Pass" that still allows teams like ours to compete with our home built cars and all-volunteer crew. I'm disappointed that we haven't won a race yet since joining "Pass" last year, but pleased with the "good times" we've had being part of that series.
When I look back at this season the thing that comes to mind is how different our race schedule has become and how few racing options really excite us. Everything in racing has changed so much in the last few years and we might be seeing the end of an era. The days of the volunteer crew and Chevy and Ford fans arguing over who has the best engine has been replaced by "pay me" and "if you don't want to run a Chevy stay home". Maybe it's the fact that we are getting older or that we are old fashioned and find change difficult to except. I can understand addressing the high cost of racing but "cutting the heart out of it" seems like a drastic step when there are other options available. I know my team misses going to the "Milk Bowl" and N.H.I.S. but running a Chevy spec engine or a "crate" motor really takes the "pain" and "joy" out of getting beat or beating "the enemy". This argument goes on every week on the Sirius Radio NASCAR station whether the fans root for the team or the manufacturer and won't go away anytime soon. All sports thrive on rivalries and auto racing is no different, especially when it comes to the make of car you cheer for. I don't know why I went on that rant but I guess it's because I didn't get to run all the special races this year that I look forward to all year. As the "Cable Guy" would say "please forgive me Lord" for running my mouth.
I'm excited to get back in the race car and see how the new engine combo works at White Mountain this week. We had a great chassis set-up last time we were there and if we can hit it again this time, and have a little luck, things could turn around for us.
With new ownership taking over Berlin City Ford, a good run at White Mountain sure would help our cause when we meet the new owner and discuss possible future sponsorship. It would be a shame to end such a great partnership that was build-up over a twenty year span but we understand we don't have Danny's love of the sport/team involvement anymore. Time will tell but for now a great performance on the track would also be a nice way to say good bye to the best sponsor in New England racing, Berlin City Ford.
We hope to see lots of fans and friends Saturday night at White Mountain and we're looking forward to a great short track race. Take care and see you at the races.
Yours truly,
Dave