Rounds 7 and 8 were held at Dirt City Motorplex in Lena, Wisconsin. This is technically a hometown race for John; with Abrams being just a few miles down the road. We had a great practice on July 30th with the 3rd fastest lap in the Pro-Stock SXS; and 2nd fastest lap in the ProLite. Qualifying, John had a few minor vehicle issues and was set to start 8th in Pro-Stock SXS and 5th in ProLite.
July 31st was race day. The threat of terrible rainstorms lingered. As the track was being prepared for the Pro-Stock SXS race there was not a trace of rain in sight. As the Pro-Stock SXS left staging for the race the sky turned into a down pour. This race was set up to be, in Johns words, a “mud fest”. It was a tough and slippery race, but John placed 8th. This was an incredible feat to be back racing in the Pro-Stock SXS after the terrible crash at ERX.
For the ProLite, it was a torrential down pour; and John did not disappoint. At one point in the race the Champ Off-Road announcer stated the Holtger Yokohama machine will not quit. John was 2nd then 5th. Then John was 1st, then to the back of the pack. John had to race with an open visor most of the race and his face looked like a mud pie. John moved to 2nd, and in the last lap his visor shut and it was impossible to race while trying to put his visor up. After all the tough racing John ended 8th.
On Sunday, round 8, John was ready to race on smooth track conditions. The Pro-Stock SXS race was an exciting battle in which John took the 3rd PODUIM spot. Our team is thrilled with this outcome after the terrible wreck at ERX.
The ProLite race sadly did not happen for John. The condition of the ProLite with the mud and carnage was too much to overcome with all the repairs of the vehicle to make it to the track. John is ready for Bark River, MI in rounds in 9 and 10, and to regain a PODUIM spot in the ProLite. We’re headed there August 14th and 15th. Hope to see you there! Thank you all for your support.