Race recap from 7-10-2009

Well, what can I say? We were not very fast in qualifying or the heat race. Made some changes that got us up to speed in the main. Took the lead pretty early (as I started near the front) and kept it until Dale Roth took me on the outside on a restart. Fell to 3rd and through some accidents I was able to regain the lead on lap 38 of 50. Car felt pretty good but after the caution I developed a slight push. The #78 car was up on me tight but I was going to hold my line low and make him pass me high. I figured I had a good shot for 10 laps. Unfortunately, coming out of 4 my car decided to just turn right without warning and I ended up facing the wrong way drivers side up against the wall. Not knowing for sure what just happened, I got the car started and turned it around. I thought the #78 got into my for sure...my spotter assured my he did not. It looked to him like the car just darted to the right while the tires were stright. Weird. So, I lined up for the restart and figured I could pass a couple guys for a decent finish. Green flag drops, looked good for first 1/2 lap and then the exact same thing happened as I came out of 4 and was nearly straight. It veered to the right and I spun. At that point I figured it was an axle, so I parked it.

We have since found that the axle is fine. We checked other things too and all checks out ok. This one amazes me...We will fix the body and try to practice next Thursday. Stay tuned...

Looking for a team photographer and reporter

Starting immediately, Koens Racing is seeking a volunteer photographer/reporter for each of our remaining 3 races in 2009 and practice sessions at DCS. Person should have access to computer and internet with good photography and reporting skills.

Basically, we would want someone that is willing to take pictures of the #18 and #28 latemodels on the track and in the pits on raceday and practice sessions. Maybe take some notes and report on the action of these two cars. Email pics and report to me and I will post them here for all to see and comment on! Hopefully someone can start doing this Friday 7-10-2009.

Thanks in advance!

Wade

After practice thoughts

Well, got to the track at about 5:45p. Track was very dirty and had no rubber down on it.

Session #1: Took the car out real slow, getting heat into engine and tires. I shook it around a bit for about 4 laps or so and gently eased into more and more each lap. All of the replaced suspension parts seemed to feel good. Steering was good and the motor was crisp as usual.

As I got the car up to full speed, I realized that the entry was fantastic but the exit on turn 2 was loose off and exit on turn 4 was slightly loose off but good in the middle on both corners. I felt like the car was nearly race ready right off the trailer! Although the amount of dirt and rocks on the track may have had a hand in the handling feeling loose off...?

Session #2: John Dumire made some simple changes as we searched for more speed and grip off the corners. The entry was still good but we never got the exit any better. We will attribute this to the dirty track and load it up. It is so hard to get 'real' setup numbers with a dirty and slippery track. All we end up doing is wasting rubber on our race day set of tires, so we call it a practice at 7:30p.

I also watched Anthony Pope for awhile in his #8 latemodel. He looked good. They had some mid-corner issues going on but I'm sure they will get that car setup just right for Anthony come Friday. Anthony drives a nice line and has that cart experience which helps him alot with a sideways car.

Thanks to Rhett Lange and Dave Denn for spending so much of their time to get these cars ready in time to make this practice. They are very important to our being able to run each race after the driver wrecks and wrecks...Also, thanks to John Dumire for all the help at the track. He is reliable and has tons of racing smarts!

Race on Friday, stay tuned....!

Practice 7-8-2009

Going out for practice tonight at DCS. Bringing both the #28 and the #18. After the hards wrecks each car got into last month, the practice time is very important to 'shake' out all the bugs. We hope to have enough time to make some changes to get the cars faster off the corners. The #28 is fast going into the corners but loose out.

We have been working many nights over the last few weeks getting these cars ready for this week's race on Friday. Right now they are on the way to the track for practice.

Much has been said about the last latemodel race at DCS. We hope to put that night behind us and move on.

More about how practice went later...