Once we got to the track, we realized we really didn't feel all that prepared. We have never raced in the NHRA Junior Drag Racing League, so we kind of felt out of place and not sure what to expect in our first outing with the new car. This would also be the first time Gabie would be making full length full powered passes down the dragstrip so we were all a little anxious! Well, everyone was anxious except Gabie.
Today was not a testing and tuning day at the race track. It was one of the points races of the Summit Jr Dragster Racing Series, so we only had two opportunities to make solid runs down the race track to get an idea of what the new car and driver would do.
We arrived a the race track a little later today than we normally like. We prefer to allow enough time before the first time run to be a able to comfortably get the car ready, walk the track, etc. Not today! As soon as we got to the track we had to unload the car, get through tech in, and get to the staging lanes for the first scheduled run for the Jr Dragster classes. Nerves were on edge and we made some mistakes as a team but not Gabie. Somehow, we left one of her arm restraints back in our pit area but thought we dropped it on the way to the staging lanes. Gabie stayed focused and did not let her nerves or the situation rattle her at all.
We hadn't given much thought to entering eliminations because we were there to make as many shake down runs as we could and just hope it all went well. After two great passes, the team decided to go ahead and enter eliminations. Win or loose, we knew we would atleast get another run down the track to have more information on the car and driver. Plus, Gabie was really wanting to race.
Gabie was calm, cool and collected in the staging lanes waiting for the first round of eliminations. After the burnouts were complete and both cars were staged, we all watched and waited to see who's win light would come on and what a surprise! Gabie had won her first ever round of eliminations in her first race. Everyone went crazy on the starting line when her win light came on!
She rode on the front of the tow cart on the trip back to the pits with all smiles. Gabie even got a little celebrity treatment when she got back to the pits. There were a couple of people there to get a photo of her.
Even though we exited eliminations in round 2, today was an amazing day for Gabie Smith and Snake Doctor Racing.
We arrived a the race track a little later today than we normally like. We prefer to allow enough time before the first time run to be a able to comfortably get the car ready, walk the track, etc. Not today! As soon as we got to the track we had to unload the car, get through tech in, and get to the staging lanes for the first scheduled run for the Jr Dragster classes. Nerves were on edge and we made some mistakes as a team but not Gabie. Somehow, we left one of her arm restraints back in our pit area but thought we dropped it on the way to the staging lanes. Gabie stayed focused and did not let her nerves or the situation rattle her at all.
We hadn't given much thought to entering eliminations because we were there to make as many shake down runs as we could and just hope it all went well. After two great passes, the team decided to go ahead and enter eliminations. Win or loose, we knew we would atleast get another run down the track to have more information on the car and driver. Plus, Gabie was really wanting to race.
Gabie was calm, cool and collected in the staging lanes waiting for the first round of eliminations. After the burnouts were complete and both cars were staged, we all watched and waited to see who's win light would come on and what a surprise! Gabie had won her first ever round of eliminations in her first race. Everyone went crazy on the starting line when her win light came on!
She rode on the front of the tow cart on the trip back to the pits with all smiles. Gabie even got a little celebrity treatment when she got back to the pits. There were a couple of people there to get a photo of her.
Even though we exited eliminations in round 2, today was an amazing day for Gabie Smith and Snake Doctor Racing.
We feel extremely excited about what the 2013 season has in store for us!
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