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Photo by Johns Racing Photos
Mike Henry okay after hard Dirt Cup crash
By Gary Thomas
Alger, Wash – June 25, 2008…Sacramento’s Mike Henry is relaxing at home following a hard crash during the final night of the 37th annual Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at the Skagit Speedway last Saturday. Even though the annual Dirt Cup didn’t turn out the way Henry would have hoped, it was still an enjoyable experience for the Sacramento driver and one that he’s glad he was able to have.
“I’m glad we were able to make it up to Skagit because that place has to be one of the nicest tracks I’ve ever been to. From the promoter, track workers and even the people at the gas station, everyone welcomed us with open arms and really made us glad that we made the haul up,” Henry said.
The weekend ended with the No. 93 machine getting wildly upside down in the main event on Saturday and although he’s a little sore and has a headache; Henry is otherwise okay and looks forward to running in Tulare this weekend. He had the wind knocked out of him and was also taken in for observation after the crash. He ended up being at the hospital until 4 am on Sunday morning. “I don’t remember much from the crash other than seeing Jonathan (Allard) bounce off the wall. For a second I thought I was going to miss him, but obviously I didn’t,” Henry said.
The two-time Civil War Series champion suffered a concussion as well as bruising to his c1, t6, t7 and t8, although according to him it’s not too bad. “Thank god for Butler Built Performance and Hans Safety Equipment because I definitely feel that is what made this deal much better than it could have been. I’ve been pretty dizzy and have a headache that won’t quit, but I’ve been resting since Sunday night and am ready for this coming weekend.”
The Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at the Skagit Speedway was filled with bad luck for Henry and the HMH Motorsports Team with it beginning on the long drive up as the rig lost brakes and forced the team to use a runaway truck ramp. After finally getting up to Skagit on Wednesday for the Dirt Cup Party, the $25,000 to win event then began on Thursday with Henry timing in good enough to make the inversion in the heat races. He started from the front row in his heat and jumped out into the lead and never looked back to pick up the win aboard the Royal Lagoon Pools, World Environmental No. 93.
After that, things seemed to go downhill however, as he was a victim of a chain reaction in the main event that ended with him tipping over and being put out of the main event. Then on Friday he finished 14th in the B-main, which put him 23rd in points heading into Saturday night’s finale. Henry was able to move forward in the 20 lap B-main on Saturday to transfer into the main event, but it ended just past the midway point when he was involved in the accident that ended the weekend.
“Just before the B-main we had actually found that we had a problem with the left front brake where it was sticking and causing problems. Once we figured that out the car started rolling around pretty good, but by that time we were behind the eight ball a bit,” Henry stated. If things couldn’t get any tougher, on the drive home the truck broke down in Medford once again and the crew had to wait for parts to get it fixed. “My guys were still making their way down on Tuesday after the problems with the rig and once they get back we can start building a car for this weekend.”
Even through the snake-bitten weekend Henry was able to remain positive and just wanted to let everyone know that he is doing okay following the crash. “Overall it was about as tough of a weekend as we could have imagined, but again I just want everyone from the track to know how much fun we had and we'll certainly be back next year,” Henry concluded.
This Saturday night the HMH Motorsports, C & H Veteran Enterprises No. 93 sprinter will be in action at the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway with the Golden State Challenge Series. Henry currently ranks fourth in the GSC standings and looks forward to getting back to Tulare. “I think with the extra experience of running the bigger and faster tracks this year, it will no doubt help us in Tulare on Saturday,” Henry commented.
This Saturday's event at the Thunderbowl Raceway will pay honor to California legends Al Pombo and Marshall Sargent with the annual Pombo/Sargent Classic. Gates will open at 5 pm this Saturday with reserved grandstand tickets costing only $18 and general admission bleacher tickets just $15. Log onto http://www.thunderbowlraceway.com to view a seating chart and then call (559) 688-0909 to get the seats you want. The Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare.
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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