9/1/00

I think its really true, things are bigger in Texas!! And the Texas Motor Speedway is no exception to that rule. This place is incredible and big!!

On Wednesday this week, I was very busy with different promotional activities for the race weekend. Went to the Cook's Hospital for Children which was a lot of fun and the kids were great. And from there went to another promotion down town Fort Worth. Lots of autographs and people at the event.

Finally to the driving part, which is the fun part! The speedway just got done with paving and completing the new road course. I mean it was so new, that not one car had set foot on this track. So things were a complete gamble on set up.

Participated in the promoters test day yesterday and the car that I drew #13, was not the best for me. I kept fighting it and things never got any better. It wasn't the best day of driving at the track for me. In fact, I was so frustrated with my performance that at the end of the day, one of the instructors with the Panoz school drove and agreed. So they started by pulling out and changing the transmission which was balking when I tried to get 4th gear.

When Fred and I arrive at the track around 10 am, the temperature was already 100 degrees! And only getting hotter. The heat has been and will continue to be a large factor in the weekend. Fred put in extra insulation in the foot well of the car and vented in more fresh air. But the vented air felt like a hair dryer on high 2" from your face!! Not a comfortable experience. When driving out there, I felt like a lobster being baked!! The track temperature was 140 degrees.

Anyway, today we ended up about 4 or 5th quickest. This track is not very technical and not too many places to pass. The #13 car is still having its share of problems, far too many to list out for this report plus I want to get some sleep tonight.

Our qualifying sessions are tomorrow morning so I really don't know what to expect. All I can do is the best that I can with the equipment I am given. Sounds corny, huh? Well, I am not very excited for tomorrow and I really don't know where I am going to get the time but I am going to give it a try.

My Mom came down tonight for the race and I am super excited. Well, its time to start thinking of where the heck I am going to find the extra time tomorrow!! I am open to suggestions!! Anyone????

Stay tuned for tomorrow report!!

Cindi