POSTED 7/4/07 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

I will be fifty years old this year, have raced for several years off and on. I learned two things last night at the races. First, let me say I don't know much about setting up or building a stock car. I don't know how to build an engine. I do know how to do a lot of little things to a car. One thing is for sure, I love driving a stock car as much as anyone. I have a lot of friends and family that has help me, and I appreciate that very much. This season I have to thank my sponsor's for their help. I have had many of you drivers that have said I should be doing good with all them sponsor's but honestly the money I got from sponsor's this year was good but when it comes to racing in the sportsman class and spending thousand's of dollars I like many of you am short handed. I worked so hard to get my new car out at the track as many of you fellow racer's have also done. All the little things that kept going wrong as you guys know about. The season started April 6, and I was not ready so I used my back up car. Then on July 2, I had the new car ready to go to the track to test only to find out my car was too wide to fit on the trailer. The next day I bought another trailer and then got home and get ready to back up the the garage to load the car and my van will not start. I finally get to the track for the July 3rd race with no practice and take the new car out to qualify and make about seven laps, not getting up to speed but running really good. I was so happy with the handle of the car and knew I had more gas peddle left. On the seven lap, I go off in turn three and the engine sounds like a hand grenade going off. Yes, my new engine just broke. So here is the two things I learned last night. I had that sick feeling that you fellow drivers get when you blow and it was bad. I was so sick. But the thing I was most proud to have learned was that after I blew up and loaded my car up there were guys over at the trailer to help push it on and many, many fellow racers and fans came up to me and said they hated it for me and offered to help in any way. This is not a feel sorry for Odell post, I just wanted to share something I learned. From now on I hate to see anyone blow or wreck their car. Been there done that. And last, with all the smart remarks that people put on this site I can still be proud to be a racer at Beech Bend Raceway. Last night you drivers and fans made me realize that we are a small racing family. Thanks to you all for your support.