Every year for the last few years, I've organized a sale at Kasey Kahne Racing for the local sprint car teams. Its been a blast and its really helped the local sprint car scene in the Carolinas. But really, its opened to everyone. Thats coming up this Tuesday night from 5PM to 8PM. Drew Bible from Factory Kahne will talk shocks at 6. Justin Adams will talk everything else at 6:30. In between I hope we sell out all their parts and drink all their beer in the process.
Yesterday, the brother and I decided to head South for once this year fearing the North might be a little too cold for our flip flops and raced at Volusia Speedway Park with the Top Gun Series.
For most of my life, I've rolled through the pits at Volusia during the February months loving that first smell of methonal. I've witnessed Jason Johnson win there. I saw Kraig Kinser win an allstar race against his dad. Steve unbuckled all his belts so he could give Kraig a fist bump going into turn 1 after the flag. I dodged Dale Blaney flipping into the stands. I saw Kevin Swindell and Danny Smith wadge war during a dash race. I crewed for Danny in 2008 when he made a feature during the outlaw race. He got out of the car and gave me a huge bear hug. Then I witnessed a 60 something year old King destory the Outlaws there his final year as a full timer.
Last night as I was idleing around before the start of the feature, I just thought about all those moments.... Then the official got on the radio and said theres been a calculation error. 21B is starting on the pole and here's the rest of the official line up. Well oh shit.
I haul ass into 1. Car feels great, leading some laps... 2nd lap I hear pop pop pop pop. And they through a caution for debris on the track. My left side header fell off. What the hell? An official comes on the radio and says I'm no longer allowed to compete because I'm required to have headers and mufflers.
I roll into my trailer on the back side of turn 1 and 2 where the grandstands are. I get out my car and look up at the stands. They are all looking at me. I walk into the brothers trailer and grab two beers and walk into the stands to join them and watch the rest of the race. Several around me offer more beer if I need it. I took a few up on their offer.
Luckily, I was able to watch Jacob march forward from 8th to 3rd then 4th. Over all it was a great night and we had a blast. And hopefully this becomes an annual trip for us.
Lastly, while were were loading up for this weekend, Bobby Allen calls me to ask if they can use our race shop during the World Finals. Unfortunately, he refuses to switch our names in his phone for some reason. The conversation usually goes like, "Hey Jacob, how you doing?" Brandon replies, "Hey Bobby, I'm doing pretty good!"
Its been an amazing year, and it just keeps getting better. If any of ya'll are coming to the World Finals, I'd love to meet ya'll. Just let us know!
Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's
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