08/19/2024
In the Brightly lit garage, the Shane Johnson Race Team was hard at work preparing their Super Stock car for the upcoming race at Colorado National Speedway on August 24th. After Shane's first-race finish, the atmosphere buzzed with determination.
After their last race on July 27, in which the team took a brutal hit in the left front, they knew their work was cut out for them if they wanted to be competitive in the next event.
Always eager to get more seat time, Shane wants to run the next Super Stock Race to sharpen his skills further. The team raised the car on the lift and began a thorough nut-and-bolt check. The first discovery was disheartening: the brutal hit from the previous race had bent the left front ball joint. They disassembled the damaged area without hesitation, installed a new ball joint, and reassembled the front end.
As they moved through their checklist, another issue came to light. The rear springs hadn't settled correctly in the cradles after the last race. Knowing this could cause problems at the track, they built custom brackets to keep the springs securely in place. Next, they discovered loose power steering hoses requiring re-routing and new hose clamps. Every detail was scrutinized, ensuring nothing would be left to chance.
With the car's performance in mind, the team focused on cooling. The engine had been running warm, reaching 210 degrees at the end of the main. A closer inspection revealed that the front Shroud, initially built before they owned the car, was too small for the opening. The team took the time to redesign and rebuild a shroud that fits the opening perfectly, bringing the temperature down to a much safer 200 degrees.
They also found that the right brake caliper was hanging up, preventing the wheel from spinning freely. This was promptly fixed, ensuring the car would respond smoothly during the race.
Shane also decided to adjust the cockpit, moving the seat back and laying it at a more comfortable angle, giving him better control and comfort for the race.
As they prepared to change the tires and rims, another problem surfaced. While removing the left front wheel, the stud spun loose. A quick investigation revealed that the holes had been drilled oversized and, for some reason, had each wheel stud welded in place. Checking the other wheels confirmed more loose studs. Realizing the potential disaster, they re-welded all the studs, knowing the Milwaukee impact wrench used to tighten Wheels before using the Torque wrench on the lugs could easily break those wheel lug welds loose. Getting to the rear axles was no easy task, but with the help of Troy Witthar, they managed to get the job done. The team was grateful for Troy's contributions to the Shroud, which were vital to their success.
After tightening up the last loose nuts and bolts, the team took advantage of the three-week break before the next Super Stock race to freshen up the car's appearance. They repainted the front end, ensuring it looked as sharp as it performed. As the final coat of paint dried, the car gleamed under the garage lights, ready for the next challenge.
With everything in place, the car was lifted again for a final inspection before the race. This preparation was crucial for Shane, chasing a top-10 finish in points and Rookie of the Year honors. Every hour spent in the garage was an investment in their success, and the team knew that their hard work could make all the difference on race day.
Of Course, None of this would have been possible without the support of Shane's wife Erin, daughter Madision Team Wrench Jamie Zimmers, and Special Freind Zac Kenton, who were all integral team members. Their dedication kept the wheels turning in the garage and on the track. As the team stood back to admire their work, they knew they were ready for whatever the race would throw at them.
As it turned out, it was a very successful night for the team running in the Super Stock Class, a step above their Street Stock Class at Colorado National Speedway (CNS). They finished 4th in the heat out of eight cars and 12th in the main out of 24 Cars. Way to Go! Team Johnson.
