JB Fans,

We survived the day at the track … It was freezing!

The temperature at 8:00 am was 72 degrees. By the time we hit the track at 10:30 am the wind was 23 mph and the temperature was going downwards. It was 46 degrees when we finally got back to the hotel tonight!

Colleen’s traveling nightmare continued … She got to the airport in order to go standby - but the tram she was riding died, so she had to be moved to another tram. Long lines at the airport - and she could not get on the 8:30 am flight. The 10:00 am flight was oversold by 7 seats. They could get her on the 3:00 pm flight for a charge. She decided to bag the trip and stay home since she was feeling under the weather anyways. Considering the artic blast that is entering Kansas - she made the right decision.

Sandi and I went to credentials - finally - made it through without an issue. We took the tram - I think the driver thought he was auditioning for a ride - we were going so fast. The Craftsman trucks had just hit the track for practice.

First stop in the garage was to the Win Tron Racing team. For some reason the ARCA cars were parked on the same side as the Trucks this year. For the past two years they have been with the IRL cars. Hopes of getting that Danica photo is out the window as I do not have the right pass! Inquired about the ARCA practice - they were not as fast as they would like. Then it was off to the Goodyear truck as I was on a mission to meet the Goodyear Rep who flew out of Grand Rapids. We located Dick Fritz - I had a memory lapse … He had been to my parents house and even donated Goodyear hats for one of the fan club events.

11:30 am - By the time I got to the #23 garage - it was misting sideways and the trucks were back in the garage. My hair was pretty damp. JB took one look at me and said it was raining now. I said, No kidding! (I had texted him earlier and he told me it wasn’t raining - so we headed to the track).

Trip and JB were at the front of the truck talking things over. I told them since I had their attention I had to update them on what the fans wanted. I patted the front of the truck and said there was some concern about taking this truck to Texas. They looked at me in disbelief. I went on to say that I thought it was the gremlins that interfered - not so much the chassis. They totally agreed with me and we got into discussion about “Ray’s Charts”. Note to Ray: Keep them coming! (Personally, I love them - they are easy to read and more colorful them reading the numbers in an excel spreadsheet).

12:10 pm: The track has dried and JB is going back on track …. Mark Gregory is spotting today …. Scott Speed has replaced Phillip McGilton and his truck is painted with Red Bull ….. Scott and JB did an autograph session together last night …. JB radios in - “Hitting track a little bit. More in turn two. Surprising, must be an aero thing. Going good in”.

12:15 pm: JB comes into garage area. He is parked between Eric Darnell and Terry Cook.

12:20 pm: Back on track. “I can race this. But, lose the nose in two. Really good in 3 and 4. It wants to be free in. Trip says it looks better off two. Practice over - ended 10th.

12:30 pm - ARCA qualifying. We went on pit road to check things out. I ran into Eddie Sharp’s dad. I got to know him when Eddie ran ASA out of my dad’s shop …. Scott Speed walks by - I say hi ….

12:45 pm - It was cold standing on pit road - so we headed back the #23 Transporter. JB was in the lounge with Trip. Looking over notes and watching CUP practice on tv.

1:00 pm - Headed to the bathrooms … Had to walk by the #51 truck - hmm no one was even standing around it. (I behaved myself - ha!)

2:30 pm - Final truck practice … Sandi and I put the spare crew radios on - I remind her that we can’t talk -ha! … JB makes a couple of laps. Huge headwind off the 4th corner. Tighter when running behind the 60. Hopping the front end. JB pulls in to get the Goodyear tire sheet. Tires are tight.

3:00 pm - Ran into Charles Krall … He is now working with Wyler team doing PR and continuing to work with Mansfield Track … Made sure I told him how much fans miss his work on truckseries.com

3:10 pm - Switched the radio to Skinner’s channel. He was quite animated, so I switched it back to the #23 … JB wants to run in a pack of trucks - to see how his Toyota Tundra will run …. JB thinks that the engine is dragging - but in the end they decide it’s the headwind.

Question of the day: How much does the wind affect the truck? It does quite a bit. The truck is relying on aerodynamics. It’s the name of the game. However, it is affecting everyone.

3:30 pm - Practice is over … JB is 6th. They seem pretty happy.

4:00 pm - ARCA race starts … Some of JB’s guys are pitting the ARCA #28 car - Michael Arnett. Sandi and I stand in the #32 pit. There were 2 guys in their pits with Andretti / Green hats on. One of them is the spotter for Danica! We stick around for 46 laps - until I can’t take it any longer and then we head to the #23 transporter until it’s over … Guess I’m wimping out these days!

Hope you enjoyed the blog. I was glad to be at the track again. There are frost warnings for tomorrow morning and the thunderstorms are slated to arrive at 3:00 pm. I can’t wait …

Go JB and the #23 team!