Bits from the Pits by: Mike Bassin

Where do we start……what a great day. First off racers were rolling in as we started the chapel service for Mark Gray right 9:30 am sharp with 130 racers, family members and friends attending the 45 minute service with Chris Crawford our RFC chaplain officiating along with Bill Smith adding to this wonderful service. Bill Smith’s wife Toni also sang beautifully too. Mark Gray’s minister also spoke along two of Mark’s brothers added stories too. At the end everyone held hands in huge circle near the chapel. This just was a wonderful way to start the day for certain.

Now the racing….  116 cars in Pro and 94 Super got going at noon. All made one time run then Chris Crawford did the invocation and the Toni Smith sang the National Anthem, she just sang beautifully and with such feeling, nobody sings our anthem better! Ok to the racing. In Pro it was Nick Bowman over Caleb Kline semi racers were Dicky Bodmer and Boyd Mathias. In Super Martin Fleagle beat Mickey Nelson with Corey Hess taking third place. We had great racing all day close well run races too. How about racers representing eight states. We had sponsors that put up big money and product to the racers…..Mark’s Water Delivery, Al’s Body Shop, Smith’s Racing Engines, J & K Precision Auto Care, Always Happy Hour, Matco Tools and Walt Sewell Auto Detailing. A big thanks to them and all that supported the event….racers, crew and family members, race fans, track staff track owner Elmer Wachter and his family for making this a truly first class event. By the way Mark’s wife Tammy Gray drove the yellow ‘52 Chevy while Tammy’s son Brad Dillow drove her white Chevy Malibu. What an awesome event start to finish. We got done about 7:30 pm. Last race the Annual Turkey Race is Saturday Nov. 22. See you at Mason Dixon Dragway!