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7/23/00
 Sunday Race Day:
Since our race was at 9:45 am, our day started out on the early side. Fred and I arrived at the track by 7:00 am. It was a beautiful day at Sears Point and I knew in my heart that it was going to be very dramatic one way or another.
After my double latte', I went to Chapel Service at 7:15. This is fast becoming a ritual on race day that I don't want to ever break. It sometimes really helps puts things into prospective for the day of activities.
Then it was the usual SportsCar meeting. I then grabbed a golf cart and escaped by myself for about 45 minutes. I just went out and watched the warm-up for the prototypes and GT cars. Realizing this is where I want to be, I knew what I had to do in my race.
With one final live radio interview, it was time to get in the cars. The paddock area was a little bit on the crowded side. Many familiar faces wishing me good luck. I sensed that people knew how important this race was to me.
Finally the green flag fell and off I went. Got a good start and got in front of Sonja Bayer who qualified 2nd. As I was 3/4 of the way around the track on the first lap, Fred radioed to tell me there would be a full course caution due to an accident in the carousel. Rats!! Restarts............something I hadn't thought about.
As the green flag dropped for the second time, my start this time was NOT as good as the first and Sonja got a good jump on me! But I held her off at turn 2 at the top of the hill. From there I just put my foot down to the metal and really concentrated on not making any mistakes! I even flipped up my rear view mirror so I could totally concentrate on what was happening in front of me, not the heated battle that was starting to take shape with Sonja and Divina Galica.
The 45 minute race seemed like forever. As the checkered flag fell, I was sooooo relieved and overjoyed with excitement. With the DNF from Charlotte, I had to settle something for myself.
Well, my weekend at the office wasn't too bad. Qualified on the pole, set a new track qualifying record and won the race. These racing weekends are few and far in between. You come to appreciate them more because they don't happen often.
But now this race is in the past and I must concentrate on the future. There are a few things in the works and hopefully this weekend will help make them a reality.
Thanks so much for tuning in!!
Cindi
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