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With high expectations of improving on A.J’s finish of the last ASALMS event, the team took to the track with a few chassis set up changes in hopes of finding that extra tenth or two before qualifying time. Despite, once again, having to practice on used up tires, the team adjusted on the chassis non stop during practice runs hoping to fix a “tight in the middle” condition that would not go away. It wasn’t until after the final practice session when it was discovered that something strange was happening with the right front tire that created a seriously deep gouge on the inner sidewall face. It appeared that the car was experiencing excessive roll with the previous adjustments made and the team was left with no other option than to thrash to change the setup back to the Speedweeks setup that A.J had some limited success with earlier in the year.
When it came time to qualify, it appeared that A.J was back on track and would post the 9th fastest qualifying time of 25 entries.. His time would be slightly more than two tenths off the leaders and much improved over his practice times by nearly half of a second.
With the car slightly loose off the corners during qualifying, the team hoped to be a factor and expected better handling conditions when race time came. When the green flag flew. A.J found himself quickly on the brakes (deja vu of Concord) and had to react quickly to miss the pile up in turn one. When the race resumed, A..J found himself as the last car of the lead pack that had distanced themselves nearly a full straightaway ahead of the competition with only 20 laps in the books. It wasn’t until around the 50 lap mark, of this near 80 lap green run, that A.J started experiencing seriously ill handling effects with a vibration in the right front tire. Following a couple of more cautions within the last few laps, A.J once again proved why he has “the skills to pay the bills” by making the most of a bad situation by bringing the 17 machine home in 7th place (2nd consecutive top 10) without a mark on the car (with what ended up being a bad right front wheel bearing). Better luck next time ...
With the team’s first complete ASALMS race behind them, they loaded up for this event with mixed emotions. It was at this facility that a victory was taken away from A.J only a few months earlier. But even with the bitter taste, A.J had the confidence needed to know that he can win at this track.
When qualifying time came, it was evident that the team had missed the mark by posting 12th fastest of 17 cars. Any team confidence was quickly erased when it was discovered that there was a problem with the stagger in the new set of tires. Following a brief discussion with ASALMS officials, the team decided to make a pitstop during the initial pace laps in order to swap right side tires and make a quick track bar adjustment. A.J would start the race from the last place position.
When the green flag flew, the car seemed to work better than expected but still encountered a slight tight condition. After picking up several positions and somewhere around the 40 lap mark, A.J would make another pitstop for a quick air pressure adjustment. At this point, A.J would once again find himself starting from the last position but now 2 laps down.
With improved handling conditions and the help of the “lucky dog” award, A.J would manage to avoid several more yellow flag incidents to bring home a 7th place finish at the checkers. Even though he wasn’t credited as such, we feel that by overcoming handling issues, avoiding accidents, coming from the last position (twice) and still finishing on the lead lap in 7th place- A.J exemplified what the “Hard Charger” award is all about in our eyes. Good job on your second complete ASALMS race A.J!
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