THE GROVE WEEK 3
The Grove is no longer pulling pills, instead all teams will be handicapped by points in the heats. DD starts 5th in heat 3 with 5 to transfer to the feature. As the heat starts DD looks strong, running 5th. Midway throughout the heat Doug Esh and DD race hard for the final transfer spot. Trading sliders and some good clean racing, DD finally moves ahead of Esh and into the final transfer spot. After taking the white flag DD’s #48 Sprinter sputters entering 1 & 2. Down the backstretch and into 3 & 4, DD realizes problems still exists and kills power to the Gary Kauffman owned Sprinter. Doug Esh passes DD in front of the flag stand at the checkered for the final transfer spot. DD coasts into turn 1 pit exit and back to the rig telling the crew there is motor trouble. The crew finds that a plug wire came off and there was no motor trouble. A Williams Grove official informed DD that since he did not cross the scales after the heat, that he would have to start last in the consi. After some discussion, DD buckles in to join the field for the consi. DD gets a great start and is running down the leaders when the yellow comes out. DD then is informed by a track official that he will be sent to the rear for the restart for supposedly jumping the start. Now DD is driving very determined, moves to the 5th position with the white flag waving. DD enters turn 1 as Lance Dewease slides up into DD’s line, slowing his momentum. Dewease pulls away out of 2 as the Sandoe’s Fruit Market Sprinter comes to a stop. After DD gets a help from a push truck back to the pits, the crew finds that the throttle linkage broke, ending DD’s night.
LINCOLN WEEK 3
It’s the Spring Championship at Lincoln and teams will be running time trials. DD set to go out in the second set of 4 which should play into DD’s hands. DD first lap sees his #48 Gary Kauffman Sprinter as fast timer. However, after the groups second set of laps DD is third. The track unfortunately gets faster as the time trials continue, pushing DD down to 21st quickest. He will be starting 7th in heat 3. Six cars to qualify and revert back to times, DD shows that he’s very strong, racing hard and clean with Doug Eash. DD continues his pursuit of the leaders finishing 3rd, and guaranteeing him a spot in the feature. The crew makes some adjustments to the car, as DD feels excited about the team’s chances. After the consi, the feature lineup is posted, with DD scheduled to start 20th. DD takes the green and as the cars exit turn 2, Cory Haas and Mark Smith get together connecting Adam Wilt, Kasey Kahne and Brad Sweet. DD does some fancy driving to avoid getting collected. As a result of the caution DD will restart 12th. On the restart, DD looks good passing cars high and low, moving up to 7th behind Fred Rahmer. Over the next couple laps DD puts the pressure on Rahmer getting beside him, only to be pinched going down the backstretch. DD continues to drive hard, finally passing Rahmer and into 6th. DD misses his marks in 3 & 4 and Rahmer slides back into 6th. DD regains his composure and throws his Sandoe’s Sprinter under Rahmer in 3. Rahmer pinches DD as they were side by side forcing DD to lift and spin his sprinter in 4 collecting Brent Marks. With the front wing destroyed, DD rejoins the field for the final laps. DD passes a couple of cars to finish a disappointing 18th.
