_________

With the new format, we were thankful to be finished a little earlier each day, but, it was non-stop all-day getting 3 vehicles on the track and the usual maintenance or changes each time. It was a little hectic in the pit area but thanks to Paul Wynn and some of my other Mugen and JConcepts teammates I was able to make each race and compete for the TQ each qualifier.

_________

The seeding style qualifying was exciting and I ended as 2nd qualifier in all 3 classes. I was able to find a little extra speed each time out and take a round of E-Buggy in the process while we all chased Dakotah and his quick pace. At the end of qualifying, I think everyone was ready for something that mattered a little more than 3 laps. We all prepped for Saturday’s Super Pole where the order would depend on the racing results after a 10 minute run.

_________

The Super Pole events went well in Truggy and E-Buggy as I was able to take the Pole Position in each of those classes. The Nitro buggy Super wasn’t as simple. I made an error with securing my wing and as Paul picked it up for a pit, it quickly just fell off the car. I still battled for 3rd with a sideways wing until more mistakes on my part put me back in 8th and where I would start for the buggy 45 minute main. A little disappointing but starting 1st, 1st and 8th…I’ll take it.

_________

Sunday was another long day of main events. After watching the track, the JConcepts team all decided on different tires because of more dust and broken conditions. I went with the trusty blue Reflex in E-Buggy and the Truggy main. I was able to get the A1 win in the E-buggy main which was nice to get some track time while being able to have a good solid run.

_________

In the Truggy A-main, I led for a while but Dakotah was very close the entire first stint. He was able to squeak by in the pits while my very short fuel tank pull cord got stuck inside the body. Thanks to Paul, we recovered quick and I was able to not lose a lot of time, but now I was chasing. I could only make small gains here and there and we were about deadlocked at 3-4 seconds apart for the rest of the race. I made a slight run toward the last few laps and got to the same section of track but a mistake placed me back and I settled for 2nd. Congrats to Dakotah on the win and great drive.

_________

The E-Buggy A2 was a little messy after my early mistake that caused some chaos. I got a quick recovery and back into the lead after a few minutes. Ty and I had a solid battle and after some clean passes, mistakes and accidental hits, I was able to cross the line for the victory and get the overall win in E-Buggy on the weekend.

_________

Moving into the Nitro buggy main, it was going to be difficult. Starting 8th on the grid and with some things learned from the E-buggy race, I decided to track down some blue JConcepts ReHabs for this main. 45 minutes of racing, some extra abrasion and surface ruts, I needed a little more comfort and longevity. I started slowly and raced with just about everyone on the way up to 3rd and 4th place. Dakotah was gone by the time I was up to 2nd and I had my hands full with Spencer and Tyler Jones who also had good mains going.

__________

Eventually I nudged ahead and secured 2nd place and built a little comfortable gap to 3rd. Overall, I ended in 2nd which I was pleased with after a difficult starting position. It was Dakotahs day, congrats on the great main and victory.

__________

Once again, the Mugen MBX-8 buggies and Truggy worked awesome on the track. They had what I needed when it mattered the most and were very dependable and consistent. The ProTek servos kept me straight all weekend, even with the hard flat landings, punishing track conditions and massive track time. JConcepts tires, what can I say, we had the tire beginning to end on ever changing conditions. This was one of my first weekends with VP Racing Fuels and I pitted at 9 minutes in both classes and the tuning was on-point all weekend. Hobbywing electrical was perfect in the E-Buggy giving enough power to launch any jump while also enough feel for low-speed and dusty areas.

_________

Thanks to JConcepts for the trackside support, pit help from Paul Wynn and media coverage all weekend from Hannah Hardison. Also, thanks to Tyler Hooks for some Vlog video action for JC and final photo.

_________

Next event, I’m off to the Florida Carpet Championships in Cocoa, Florida.