Well, a million miles away at Bemidji Speedway's dirt track, it was the same story with Team Weaver.  After winning last week's Mother's Day feature race, Skyler came out strong and won his heat race.  Our car was dialed in and so was Skyler. However, this feature race was another story.

Starting in second row outside, Skyler made a move on lap one to pass two cars and take second place.  However, a spin-out back in the pack brought out the yellow flag.  On the restart, Skyler again surged into second.  However, another spin brought out another quick yellow.  After Skyler's win last week, one local driver seemed determined to not let that happen again. His No. 11x car bumped Skyler on the first restart, and harder on the second restart.  Overly aggressive driving usually works against the aggressor, and this happened big time. In front of the grandstand, No. 11x tried to pass when there was no room.  His wheel rocked Skyler, pushing him toward the wall, and rode up high on the driver's side of our car.

Skyler fought the wheel and kept his line, but No. 11x car wheel-jumped ours, then spun hard into the wall.  His car was badly wrecked, and, as medics converged, the driver took some time before emerging from the car. Luckily he was uninjured.  Our No. 16 got by with a broken tie-rod and some bent tin. From the impact (Skyler will have sore elbows tomorrow), our quick-lock steering wheel flange broke off.  The combined damage was enough to put us out of the race--but not enough to keep us from racing tomorrow.   Crew Chief Bill Smith and Skyler will be up most of the night working on the car.  As we say, "That's racing."  

p.s.  As always, check out race night photos in album.