What a weekend, Phends Nats report!
What a weekend! It’s hard to put words to paper to describe what I am feeling, but I would have to say thankful is right at the top. It’s not a secret how much we have struggled in the past when it comes main times. From random unavoidable mechanicals, to flameouts from tuning, and bad driver decisions it has been a rollercoaster on sundays. It’s very hard to not let it get to you at some point, and without the people around me who knows where I would be. I have learned over the years how important it is to surround yourself with the right people to achieve your goals and dreams. The companies that I represent are so much more to me then a pay check or product, they are my family and #1 supporters. Nobody sees the insane amount of extra time that Barry Baker and Ryan Dunford put in behind the scenes or how dedicated Jason Ruona is to racing. These are all details that add up into something more and that was a key decision when it came to talking with Brent Densford. The Ultimate engine line paired with Nitrolux fuel were amazing all week! Being able to drop a pit stop in both mains took a lot of pressure off as I knew how big of an advantage that would be. It has been a perfect addition to my program and I can’t wait to continue to work with them in the future on improving even more. The new JConcepts Recons were perfect for the rough and dusty conditions at Nats. They have a ton of forward drive and accelerate through the bumps extremely well. At the end of the main I had plenty of tire left in blue compound to run even longer. With the help of Barry and Ryan we were able to get my TLR cars fast but also consistent in the tricky track conditions. We tried going in different directions with both vehicles and it ended up paying off for the mains. We had to make a couple last minute calls going into the buggy main as this would be the first time during the event that we raced at night with colder temps. I made some mistakes in the mains that almost cost me, but I was able to get back into a rhythm quick and keep pushing forward.
Special thanks to Barry for all of the hard work not only this weekend but throughout the whole year to give me the best chance possible. Thanks to Mike Sontag for the great pit work as always and to keeping me updated on my fuel mileage during the mains. Thanks to Ryan Dunford for all of the hard work and dedication he puts into developing these cars to be the best that they can be. Last but not least, thanks to my wife for always supporting me and having my back!
I was really excited that my parents were able to make it out and be a part of it all! They have been there since the beginning and it was perfect being able to finally get that nitro buggy title with them there.
Congrats to Barry Baker and Tater Sontag on their wins in the 40+ and juniors mains! Pretty incredible to see TLR sweep the Nitro Nats!
Finally, thanks to everyone locally and around the world who has supported and believed in me!
#TLRacing
#JConcepts
#UltimateRC
#spektrumrc
#BeachRC
#nitrolux
#trinityrc
#properformancerc
#BradleyFineLineDesigns
#Stickit1Racing
#lunsford
#phenomsignatureseries
