ChasinRacinDL

It's been a busy week in Mason City, working on the car each day and active racing every night (Tue/Wed/Thur), followed by "social time" into the wee hours of the morning.  A lot of fun, maybe a little hard on an OLD body! RACING:   Each night we started and finished mid pack in the Heat Race, had to run the B-Main each night to qualify for the show, finished 14th in the Main event on Wednesday and Thursday having moved up nine and five positions respectively. Did not finish the Main on Tuesday.  We had been running well when the right front of the car collapsed due to that one little nut on the ball joint shaft of the lower arm coming off. That ended our night, and gave us a little something to do the next day. The Track:  We are at the Northern Iowa Events Center (fairgrounds) In the heart of Mason City.  Within walking distance of a Walmart, Target, Goodwill, Planet Fitness, Farm Store, etc.  The fairgrounds, I'm sure, predate these stores by a few decad...

We drove yesterday from Sioux City IA to Sioux Falls, SD, ultimately landing at the Grand Falls Casino.  This portion of the trip has helped the author learn how to spell "Sioux".   On the way, we made the obligatory stop at Walmart, and while sitting in the parking lot ordered our Panda Express "take out" lunch.  Very handy to have the trailer with us, for dining purposes, when you can't "dine in".  After lunch we met Wade at a car wash he found not far away which was big enough (barely) to accommodate the rig.  There we spent the afternoon cleaning the toys.   One last stop.  Very glad that we pay for fuel only in the smaller truck. Returned to the Casino in time to join the group for dinner at the "Crave" restaurant at the Hilton downtown - thanks Casey! - and a late night walking tour of the Falls for which the town is named.  Cool area.  Worth a visit if you are ever in the area. Back to the Casino just before midnight, donated...

Woke up this morning in the parking lot of a little track north of Sioux City, in South Dakota. Apparently went to bed in the very same place a few hours ago. On the way to Mason City yesterday (Sunday) we were re-routed to Raceway Park here. This local track had an IMCA race last night, so Casey decided to give it a shot. We ran 4th in the Heat race, where we suffered a little "body damage".  Got it banged back together in time for the Main, which Casey went out and won.  Good race with a good outcome. Today we plan to head up to Sioux Falls, find a place to do some work on the cars, and then  head toward Mason City, IA for the three day race which begins Tuesday.    Gotta go . . . . 

This 4-day race closed out last night with a 101 lap Main event for the Lucas Oil Late Models.     Brandon Sheppard, of New Berlin IL managed to fend off Ricky Thornton, Jr. to take the Win, as well as the $53,000.00 prize money.  Ricky will have to settle for the roughly $20 G second place cash.  Good race with plenty of action up to the end. As for the USMTS modifieds, Casey ran 4th in the Heat race and finished 15th (of 25 cars) in the Main. Good racing here, too, in front of about 2500 fans.  Next up:  Mason City, IA next Tuesday thru Thursday. We are in an RV park about a quarter mile from the track.  Walking back one morning, we passed a shop that appeared to work on Semi trucks and trailers.   Turns out it is the (one and only) location of S & S Welding.  This is the birthplace of Casey's big Toter (hauler) and Trailer.  They also just finished a new custom rig for Joe Duvall. Not only did they allow us into the shop...

So, driving through Kansas realizing that it would be hot and humid at Greenwood, we called the RV park which is a quarter mile from the track.  We have air conditioning, but our generator is not big enough to run it, so thought the park would be nice.  "Andrea" tells me that they are sold out, every year, in the first few days of January for this event - the Silver Dollar Nationals. But she would put me on waiting list.  Got a call the next day while driving, a lucky cancellation. Yay!  All the comforts of home! We are now inmates at the Pine Grove RV park. Tightly controlled access designed to keep those "racing people" out.  Or at least screened. Works for us! Release in four days                               This is a nice park, and probably a little bit subdued compared to camping at the track. At the track you find a variety of contraptions people bring to provide th...

And Kansas.  (And Iowa, and so on . . . )  Geez. We are at the I-80 Speedway, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska. Last night was an "off" night for USMTS, so we became spectators for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race.  A perfect night for racing, 81 degrees - no wind, rolling hills of corn in the distance and a great sunset to boot! The Main event paid $12,500 to the winner - a really good purse for this sort of racing.   It was a 50 lap race on this 4/10 mile track, started 26 cars and ran GREEN the entire event.  No caution flags.  No cars dropped out.  Fast, exciting race which was closely contested to the end.  Looked like Ricky Thornton Jr. would pull off a miracle pass on the last lap to beat Jimmy Owens (Newport TN), but fell just shy.  One of the best races we've seen in a long time, in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd. Great fun!! I-80 puts on a good show, manages activities well, and maintains a very nice, c...

We are back on the road again after a hiatus of nearly 4 weeks.  Drove from Durango to Wallace, Kansas tuesday where we spent the night in the town RV park (5 spaces, full hookup, $25) after visiting the local museum. The Fort Wallace Museum is located on US-40 and is a must see if you find yourself anywhere in that area.  A pleasant and enthusiastic staff, not really into social distancing however! Note the "Faith over Fear" ball cap. Very nice and interesting displays, including over 60 "pedal" organs of various designs, all in excellent shape.  That's more organs than the number of residents of the town of  Wallace! Just before leaving Colorado you go through the town of "Eads",  We stopped for fuel at what seems to be the main intersection in town, adjacent to the rodeo grounds, with Sheriff' vehicles and a fire truck perched nearby.  And much ado across the street.  Numerous horse trailers, several dozen mounted riders and a similar number on ...