Parking the 76 Car...
Each year about this time, my heart starts beating a little bit faster.
Each year about this time, my adrenaline starts pumping and I start losing sleep.
Each year about this time, racing occupies every thought in my head. Every spare minute of the day.
Right now, race teams around the nation are in full swing (sheer panic). Race season is a little over a month away and there is much to do to prepare the cars/team/hauler for the season. There are lists to complete, parts to be ordered, appearances to be made and pressure. Pressure to perform. Pressure to compete. Pressure to win.
This year the same pressure is being felt by many, just not me.
Yes, the rumors are true. This year, I will not be competing weekly at Evergreen Speedway. It's a decision that I have been working toward for quite some time with much resistance from my fans. While the start of a new season brings excitement and uncertainty, there is nevertheless a most definite sense of relief for me, and undoubtedly for my family. I'm tired of being gone.
Each year about this time, my adrenaline starts pumping and I start losing sleep.
Each year about this time, racing occupies every thought in my head. Every spare minute of the day.
Right now, race teams around the nation are in full swing (sheer panic). Race season is a little over a month away and there is much to do to prepare the cars/team/hauler for the season. There are lists to complete, parts to be ordered, appearances to be made and pressure. Pressure to perform. Pressure to compete. Pressure to win.
This year the same pressure is being felt by many, just not me.
Yes, the rumors are true. This year, I will not be competing weekly at Evergreen Speedway. It's a decision that I have been working toward for quite some time with much resistance from my fans. While the start of a new season brings excitement and uncertainty, there is nevertheless a most definite sense of relief for me, and undoubtedly for my family. I'm tired of being gone.
I will no longer dread being away home, missing baseball and football games, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries. No longer will I be just a visitor at my church from March to October. I want to be home. Conscious. Present.
I spent the first 20 years of my racing life trying to get somewhere and now it's like the second half of my life, I'm trying to get back. I don't know where the road leads next, but I'm enjoying being with my family, going on road trips, driving Carter to Little League practice, picking Jayce up from the ski bus and tucking the boys into bed at night.
When I started racing, my professional focus and my professional desires drove everything. Now, my personal focus and my personal desires drive everything.
Before, I did everything to be able to race, to move forward and be successful at what I was doing in racing. My focus is different, my desires are different. I simply want to concentrate on my family, friends and faith.
Comments
I dont know what to say, nothing to sappy, but 76 for life! :)