American Stockcar Challenge
by Belinda Endress

Infinion Raceway, Sonoma, CA
April 29-30th 2006

Belinda Endress

The American Stock Car Series is well underway and I was really looking forward to heading to Infinion Raceway. 

We started on Thursday with a great practice. We got lucky and missed all the Northern California rain.  It was cool in the morning and then warmed up, making it great racing weather. I worked with Spence Sharp, and he showed me some new lines at the technical track. I learned a lot and ran until the tires corded.

With a relaxing day on Friday, I was ready for the race weekend. Saturday morning, however, we encountered an unfortunate surprise: we had to run our practice with the CMC group (Camaro Mustang Challenge). With all those cars, it was like the 110 Pasadena Freeway, and we all got little accomplished.

Continuing the disappointment, Saturday’s qualifying race was split with CMC. We only got 10 minutes on the track, and I ended with the 9th spot.

Belinda Endress

Saturday’s race was a another disappointment. I worked my way up to finish 7 th, but the race was cut short due to noise restrictions, which was all new news to us, as we have never had a problem with it before at Infinion Raceway. 

Sunday’s practice was another Q & D (that’s quick and dirty) as we were sharing time with CMC once again. I did manage to get in a few good laps before the inevitable traffic jam thwarted my efforts to continue.

Sunday’s qualifying race was interesting, with ASC and CMC splitting the track. I started 8th and we got in a few good laps before we caught the CMC group. I have to say it was a blast for me--like the 110 Freeway, Grand-Am style! I finished in 7th.

In Sunday’s race, I started 5th and was running strong until we got a red flag due to a single car incident.  So we sat in the pits till they picked him up off the k-wall.  As the Pace car proceeded out the pits, my throttle fell of--like all the way off. There was only about a ½” arm poking out the firewall. So I drove the rest of the race with my big toe. Talk about no throttle control! It was either on or off. I was lucky I had that much just to continue driving--especially since this was one of my only chances to keep the pedal down for more than a couple of minute’s all race weekend!  In the end, I finished 6 th--proud that I had coped with the throttle issue so well.

It was a good weekend all in all and I've managed to climb to 3rd in points! Next up, I’m headed to Thunder Hill May 27-28 th and looking forward to another opportunity to race in this fun and exciting series!

A special thanks to Steve Carvajal for a great car, Spence for the help, and most of all to God for giving me the means to do what I love to do.

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