09/07/2026
Alrighty folks. Here it was. Our Prostock/pro late model debut. Our inaugural Boss Hog 150 attempt.
Friday, we got the car on track for its first laps with wide rubber and the new badass power plant courtesy of Marshall's Automotive Machine Inc to get it shook down and approval of track staff to participate. We passed with flying colors and were very quickly turning competitive lap times. A couple minor handling issues in our 5 runs but nothing serious. My anxiety Friday night was killing me know there was work to be done to the car whilst I was camping within walking distance of our speedway garage. So I didn't sleep and work on the car all night into the start of Saturday's practice session.
Saturday we got 3 more sessions to help figure the car out. Had a couple gremlins pop up but continued to improve the car every time we hit the track.
Sunday started off with finding we had lost a piece of lead off the car at the start of Friday. A mad dash to get a new piece in and through tech whilst also getting our race tires out of impound ensued.
First practice the car was even better but just ever so lacking. Second we put on a new set of practice tires and made a couple adjustments and finally got the car doing what we had been hunting for all weekend. Third practice we scuffed our race tires and did 2 runs with a couple adjustments. Was the best it had been all weekend and the leaderboard showed that. Unfortunately, our problems continued as the exhaust came apart during the run and our LR tire started to delaminate in a matter of 12 laps. Thankfully we were able to exchange it so as not to have a dangerous situation come race time.
We drew heat 1 p2. Rolling onto the track it began to sprinkle. We crossed them up and went green for 1 laps before the sky opened up and the caution flew. The track was wet enough I lost control under yellow and spun. Thankfully the officials agreed it was a circumstance out of my or anyone else's control and gave us our position back. After track drying, we took back to the speedway. Opening couple of laps we battled for the lead before contact with third allowed a gap. We would end up closing the gap before the checkers flew, ending up 2nd. This would put us starting p4 within the redraw for the 150.
With the threat of weather, the race program would be pushed up to not have a redraw. We rolled off p4. The initial green we cleared for p3 and tried to settle in to a rhythm. 10 laps in a caution came out with us feeling loose, but confident. The next restart is when the rails started to come out from under us.
The leader on the restart went into save mode and my car decided it no longer wanted to hook up the rear tires. We fell to just barely within the top 10 when a caution came at lap 28. We pitted for an adjustment to help the ailing loose condition the car had developed. Coming out at the tail of the field, the condition got worse and worse, leading to me spinning on my own out of turn 2 bring out another caution. Another pit stop to check for any damage or issues had us end up a lap down but we figured to atleast continue to get seat time. The condition of the car continued to worsen.
Inside the car, the conditions were even worse as the exhaust had fallen apart at a different point and began to fill the cockpit with fumes for the remaining laps. Just under 100 laps into the race, whilst going another lap down, we decided to call it a day. We were starting to become a hazard not only to our own cars health but the other competitors. Unbeknownst to crew and I alike, the fumes had started to really effect me to the point that I was not driving like I had for 3 days. After parking the car, the symptoms took hold and was evident it was not a good situation.
My crew had to undo my helmet, hold the water bottle for me to drink, undo the my belts, and pick me up out of the car as I physically could not function or think. At that time, EMTs came to my side and administered aid with ice pack, oxygen, electrolytes. My blood pressure was low enough they were surprised I was still conscious and my oxygen levels were severely low.
After about 20-25 minutes of oxygen, fluids, rest and ice packs, my numbers returned to normal and I was able to stand and compose myself.
Post race, day after infact, we were able to diagnose the issues on the car and already at work of repairing it for competition at Wiscasset Speedway for group 1 finale night in 2 weeks.
I know Facebook is weird so if you're not tagged in the post itself, I will tag you in the comments afterwards.
To start gotta thank mom and dad for being apart of this with me and helping me reach my dream since I was a little kid to race these cars. Love you guys.
Thank you the my lovely girl Charley for supporting me in this adventure. Im so sorry for the scare but I promised I would come back to you in one piece and here I am.
Thank you to Dave Gray for being a badass all weekend as crew chief and spotter. Your knowledge and expertise as more valuable than anything and we worked well together to get this hunk of steel working.
Ross Harlow, Aiden Erskine, Ben Erskine, Alan Thibodeau, you guys were Rockstars all weekend. Didnt matter what it was you were right in there getting it done. Anything yall need, never hesitate to ask. I couldn't ask for a better group of helpers.
About 20 family members and family friends came down to watch and I was amazed at that turn out! Thank you all so much for the support! It means a lot to me.
Chad Dow at Nitro Trailers, thank you for sponsoring the event and the goody bags for all drivers. That is something not many businesses let alone people/competitors would do. Also gotta thank you for welding up my radiator last week. That was such a huge help to my weekend.
And of course all the amazing sponsors and supporting businesses on the 72n!
DTB Transport LLC
SKS Furbush Logging LLC (Wes Furbush)
University of Northwestern Ohio
Port City Racecars
HSR Hopkins Stearns Racing
Downeast Chassisworx
DMD Racing
Graphic Creations
InnovEight Printed Products
Coldbrook Trailers
Schaeffers Racing Oil
Wehrs Machine Ultraforce
Magnus Performance Products
Five Star Bodies
Quarter Master Clutchs
Night Owl Creations
Tiger Rearends
Swift Springs
RE Suspension
Joes Racing Products
TTR
MSD
Proform
FuelSafe
Coleman Racing Products
Simpson Racing Procuts
Elite Detailing
And of course Jasen Dickey Photography for the gnarly photos. Can't wait to see the rest!
