[Zeke]

Todd, I'm glad you clarified that. Another point is that the track is 2.5 mi. long and there are 2 passing zones. There is quite a bit of track and six turns from the front straight passing to the back straight passing (for those of you reading that don't know the track well). It is not practical nor safe to slow down anticipating a driver who is faster but hundreds of yards back at the front. However, that driver may be on top of the lead car before the 2nd zone. That occurred to me both ways many times. When I caought up, I backed off, as I mentioned, and gassed it when it was time to dispatch the slow car as quickly as possible and allowing another driver to pass me in the same zone. When I was slower, I got over as quickly as I could.

Now lets' take a look at even another situation. I see a driver who wants by in 8. I want to let him by ASAP. So, do I maintain my best speed thru 9 and carry the car out in the left half of the straight and bring it back right as soon as I finish my turn, or do I take 9 a wee bit slower and finish the turn more off to the right giving PLENTY of room and not freaking the guy out behind me that I'm going to push him off into the weeds?

I did it both ways and I felt the pressure either way, especially when backing up a bit and keeping right. You know, the ol' narrow body is crabbing thru the entire turn and one mistake like pinching the turn or lifting would surely be a spin. Yet, the "bozo" can't see what effort I'm putting out and only wants to run my ass over.

Brad, thanks for the observation that I didn't look too squirlly out there. If I felt like a liability, I would have put myself int he yellow run group. But, I felt comfortable and did my best to obey the flags and give others room.

BTW, I've had time to go over the car. Damage so far is 3 bent wheels (one cracked by a rock), a bent cross member and a possibly bent spindle. I have yet to put a dial indicator on the rotors to check the hubs, but they seem OK. Still, this won't be cheap to fix.