With USAC/CRA off AGAIN, I took a ride in the Kittle rig with Randy, Paul, Steve and Mary Anne Howell heading to Santa Maria for a 360 show and some fun racing. The trip didn't start off exactly great, but alls well that ends well they say. When I arrived in Harbor City at Randy and Julie Shiosaki's home, I was already behind in my schedule. Randy was off worrying about the Howell truck playing dead again, so he was in a tizzy. The plan for me, ($%@###*^**%$##) was to be in town early in the afternoon and have lunch with friends, then meet Randy at his work and going to the Howell shop for him to do some work on the # 62 car. I was ready to go early from my toasty home city now, but I got stuck doing stuff at home and didn't get out until about 10:30 AM, so no lunch. I made it onto Highway 15 going south and was zooming down the highway smoothly in my red vette and had just cleared the last exit leaving Las Vegas when the LOW COOLANT light came on. Yipes! The last time that happened, one year ago to be exact, I was encouraged to put in a new radiator back then. I quickly glanced at the temp guage which was right on, but oh no, within a half mile or so, it was going up fast. Before the next mile marker went by, the temp hit the 280 degree mark and was still going up. Whoa ..pulling over, I killed the motor, got out and opened the hood because I thought it was the thing to do, even though I wasn't about to do anything. Coolant was dripping off the inside of the hood to the ground, so I was confident it might be a busted radiator hose, or maybe a water pump went south, or a hole had appeared in the radiator, they all circled my brain, but I was losing time. I was all alone (get this Mr Mechanical Man I am, I am) and figured busted hose was my best guess. Brilliant! I called AAA and encouraged them to hurry as the temp was over 100 degrees and rising and there were no trees or shade of any kind. She asked where I was? I didn't know exactly, but looking back the way I came, I could see the new M casino, so I told her that and the clock struck 11 AM. She said she would put a priority on it and declared they would be there very soon, but it was 11:45 before step and fetchit arrived. He must have been from the hills of Missouri because he took his sweet time sizing it all up as if he'd never done this before. It took forever to get the car loaded, and 30 minutes to go the 10 miles or so to my shop of choice........... Slow ???, I reckon. I had warned the guys where I normally have the car serviced, I was on my way, so they were ready for me. They confirmed the top water hose was busted and we settled down for the parts delivery truck to bring two new hoses as I might as well do both. They told me about bleeding out the air and when it was all done, I was on my way 4 hours late. When I arrived at the Shiosaki Hotel, Randy was in a tizzy on a new challenge. The Howell red tow truck was not running right! While he mulled that over, we had dinner and hit the sack for some rest. Morning came and the Howell truck wasn't having any usable activity this morning, so Randy did what he does best, he made a work around. He and I went to his brothers house to borrow a nearly identical truck to the Howell red one and left Randy's SUV. Then a quick trip to the Howell race shop where we hooked his trailer up to the white charger and off they went. Randy and I stole Dennis's ride to get back to the Kittle hauler. As soon as we arrived there, we were on the road with the Howell's right behind us. Steve drove and soon I was in the co-pilot seat for my first view from there. It was a short trip to Santa Maria really, and before long we were inside the racetrack and parked. The boys began to unload and get ready for another race day. Whew, I was already tired, but the night has just started. It was another fun trip and so the beat goes on!
Paul and the Kittle Krew are beginning to unload the Showtime driven sprinter!
Hey, let me get down here!!!
Crew Chief Randy checks the jack? Or maybe he's counting the spacers. His team just set a record for the most spacers on a jack handle.
That's the promoter Chris Kearns in purple, get some what?
The lonely man Ray Stansberry is without his lady Nellie because she had to work!!!
The pit booth opens for business.
This pretty lady takes care of the deadheads. I forgot to call and get on the list, so that's why I am in the other line for a change.
That's Chad and his dad kibitzing with Marie Anne Howell with her back to you.
Jimbo is coming with ice as Randy, Paul and Steve ignore him.
The Kittle car sans skin.
The cockpit is here.
The motor is here.
Algelica Anderson brings Kirby and Pinto for a walk. The two Weenie dogs are 4 months old and are Dapple colored? Really cute!
Another look at the boys.
Paul Dean looking for some mechanical thing to play with.
Dennis Howell and Randy in quiet time.
Here's Lynn "Hot Rod" Anderson posing. He's raced off and on for many years, but tonight was the first time his father had seen him race.
This is Stewart, Lynn's son.
Here is Pinto and Kirby again.
Justyne Hamblin led the feature in this pretty car. She had a flat and ended up 15th.
Pit meeting!
Randy stole my camera!
Pit meeting ends and they disperse.
This pretty blond marches thru the pits.
The Vander Weerd twins are in the pits.
Dennis Howell sports a new drivers suit and helmet this week.
You tell me, are those boots made for walking ..... in sand or snow?
Good shot of Dennis new helmet
Danny "Showtime" Sheridan looking cool, then shedding the shades and climbing in for a dirt run.
And he gets on the gas!!!
Dennis on his qualifying run.
The Kittle Krew in the track infield.
The busy pit area is really bustling with activity. Sounds like a narration for a 50's movie.
# 4 Keon Shaw?
Mike Knopf does his thing on the track.
Lynn Anderson gets it going.
Chris Ennis is on the gas
Justyne Hamblin makes a pink blur around the track.
Dennis the menace on a smokey one.
Richard Vander Weerd takes fast time.
The winner Peter Murphy at ease on the track.
# 16 J gasin' it.
Jace V going for it.
Albert Pombo???
Greg Porte Was second in the main. He had some very nice things to say about Wagtimes. Thanks, it's certainly appreciated!!!!
Rusty Carlile smokin one.
Greg Alexander takes a run at it.
Danny Sheridan takes a lap.
Dennis Howell in the infield.
Showtime makes a pass.
Is that smoke coming off those tires ? It's early and still glazing over.
Is she the water truck driver???
Is she, no, well maybe she's little red riding hood and the basket has some goodies for the big bad wolf?
The first heat lines up.
The ramp up to the grandstands from the pits is a viewing area for pit people.
Dennis tried to pass this guy, then he did, then he got a little sideways, and was nudged to a stop in his heat.
The front stretch grandstands with the announcers booth above.
The grandstand.
The Semi gets ready.
And finally, there is no truth to the rumor that Randy has had his cell phone attached to his inner ear for ease of use. Imagine charging that one!
