After two 534 lights in time trials I was feeling good. Then my driving went to hell in eliminations. But the Halloween Nova was deadly consistent and got me to the finals.

After the semis I saw Branko waiting in the lane so I pulled right up, foregoing preparations and analysis.

Branko was conferring with Gary the Track Master. "What should I dial?" said Branko. The Track Master paused. Branko said "the right lane is slower, right?". The Track Master frowned. Shhhh. Secret information.

I queried Branko on his lane choice. He didn't care. We're racing for fun, pot split, no side bet. I didn't care. He'd been in the right lane all night, I'd been in the left all night. I said "let's switch, just for fun".
"OK".

I asked the Track master "what should I dial?". The Track Master was taken back by the question. I said "The right lane is slower - right?" He said "yea, three turns of spin". Ahh Ha - the Track Master counts the turns - a secret revealed. I said "so what should I dial?". The Track master curled his lip, furled his brow, and sniffed the wind. Then he smiled and said "with those big tires you'll be OK". Uh - OK. My motor was hot so I dialed up a hun.

The right lane was shit. I was in second gear before the green light came on! I ran a tenth slow. Wouldn't have had a snow balls chance with a perfect light so my 486 red didn't account for a hill of beans.

Can't remember the last time, if ever, I've seen a good track in the finals.
After 9:00 the VHT is not going down. Just another good reason to split the pot.

And that friggin mop. Every lap, mop, mop, mop, mop, mop. One lap he mopped both tracks ten feet before and ten feet after the line. I pulled two feet to the left.

I'll have to check with Eldon to be sure but - I figure last night's winnings paid for 2.328 of those dyno day horse powers.

Summit Series at Fontana is next. I haven't done very well out there - yet.
I'm racing Pro but I'll also enter Sportsman just to get some extra laps.

Note to Kenny - don't pick my pea and I'll see you in the finals.

Note to Brooke - ditto.

Note to Mark - don't tell Kenny but it's you and me - OK buddy?.

Note to Branko - ditto.