10/10/99

Race day..........finally! I actually get more nervous for qualifying than the race. I was ready for this race. Woke up early to another beautiful sunny day at Monterey.

After Chapel services and a short meeting with Sportscar officials, it was time for our 15-minute warm-up on track. I went out there and tried a few new things to see if the car would work in certain locations. The mechanics changed all sorts of parts on my #21 car but the brake shutter was very bad under braking. They tried one more thing for warm up but didn't have any luck. So I was stuck with it for the race. Not a big deal (so I tried to tell myself)!

With warm-up completed, it was time for some press duties. A few autograph sessions for the fans and then off to the Cobalt hospitality with Lyn St. James for a visit. Cobalt had a wonderful area called BBQ Island. It was a spot   between turns 2 and 3 and was a great place to hang out with the family and friends from Cobalt to relax before the race. The waiting part is the hardest on Sundays. There is so much time to kill and its terrible on the nerves!!!

The race finally approached and the fireworks were about to begin. I just didn't realize how much!! If someone would tell me a head of time what was about to happen, I wouldn't believe them!!

At the drop of the green flag, sparks started flying immediately!! Going into turn 2, the front row drivers touched and then spun collecting a few other cars. I narrowly escaped being taken out!! When the dust settled, I was in 3rd place. We were under a full course caution for what seemed like forever!! It was probably for only 4 or 5 laps. I really concentrated on staying focused during this yellow because I knew things weren't done yet!

When we finally got the green again, I fell back to 4th and spent the remainder of the race battling with Kiki Wolfkill. She ran me very hard but clean. I was very concerned about being taken out for no good reason. She is a good driver and I was hoping she would keep her head about her, which she did.

So as the checkered fell, I was in 4th place. First time off the podium, which was disappointing but looking at what just happened in this race, I was very thankful!!! Fred was wonderful on the radios giving me inspiration and good advice. I had many wonderful family and friends at this race which makes it even more special. But at the same time, it is more difficult because I don't spend much time with them and I feel bad. Even though I try to explain it to them, I still feel guilty. So it’s kind of a double edge sword. But everyone was wonderful and I am very glad to have them there.

There was enough time before our flight home to go out to dinner with some wonderful friends. It was the first time for me to actually "really" relax and eat a meal. It was a nice ending to a weekend that I will never forget!!

So now we are headed to Las Vegas. Hopefully, I will have a little more "lady luck" in the city that never sleeps. We are down to the last one.......and I am ready!