Onto the track!

Shortly after we all got lined up to hit the track, my old buick started to spit & sputter, then it stalled. I cranked it over about 3 times, which seemed like forever, and with one hell of a BANG (backfire), she came to life again. She ran better than ever after that! We headed out onto the track with my heart thumping louder than most of the engines. I couldn't believe I was actually out on the race track! Slowly cruising by the grandstands, and thinking "I'm finally on the other side of the fence!" The pace truck brought us around to turn #4, then veered off into the infield. At the drop of the green flag, it was time to go. I pushed the old pedal to the floor & headed into turn one. No time to be nervous now, too busy trying to negotiate the turns & all the wrecked & stalled cars on the track. About 12 laps in I came with a vengeance out of turn 4, & got tapped from behind. The old Buick slid sideways enough to catch the front of another car. Within 5 seconds I had been hit by three cars. I felt like a ball bearing in a pinball machine! So I shook the cobwebs out and turned the key, in hopes she'd start. With cars whizzing by me on both sides, I put her in gear & away we went again. Something wasn't right this time! I hit the gas, and the engine RPMs went up, but the speedometer was going down. Then I knew there was no fluid left in the transmission. I barely made it off the track, when the old Buick finally died. As I made my way back to the truck, I managed to catch a glimpse of the end of the race. That was one of the BEST adrenaline rushes I've had yet. Like they say! "It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on". Now I know what they're talking about. Soon after, Dad & the gang came back to the truck, & we all sat on the trailer talking about the race, and having a few good laughs over a couple of cold ones. While I had them all there, we pushed the car up on the trailer, strapped her down, & headed for home. It was definitely a night to remember. And a start of something for years to come.