Last week was my first race with CJM Racing at Richmond International Raceway. The car was good from the time they unloaded it! Crew chief Paul Wolfe was able to make changes that really fit my driving style. I started the race in the top-10 and never fell out of that throughout the entire run. The RideMakerz Toyota was hooked up and was really fun to drive, and I wound up finishing 7th, tying my Nationwide career best! I really want to thank the guys at CJM for giving me the opportunity; it was great to have the seat time, and fun to turn laps around RIR in a great machine!
When I was in Richmond I went to visit a VA hospital in the area. It was a really eye opening experience to see all these wounded heroes and veterans that have sacrificed so much to defend our country and fight for our freedom. I know I wouldn’t have the freedom to do the things I love to do if it weren’t for men and women like them. It was a really moving experience.
This week has been crazy trying to get myself ready for the wakeboarding competition this Saturday on Lake Norman. I hope the weather cooperates, although it’s not looking so good. My mom and some other family from Knoxville will be coming to town to watch me so I’m really excited about that!
As of right now, my next race isn’t until Texas, which has me out of the seat for a while. I’m not really looking forward to that much time out of the car, especially with “lake season” coming to an end! I’m hoping MWR can work out a deal to get me behind the wheel at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
I’m hoping to have my plans for 2010 locked down in the next couple of weeks. Just like everyone involved in this sport, the sponsorship dollars are hard to come by and are making deals tough to finalize. As always, I’m remaining optimistic that all things happen for a reason and there’s a plan for everything so I know it will all work out.
Check out my blog next week and I’ll let you guys know how I finished in my first wakeboarding competition! And reminder to everyone in the Charlotte area, that’s this Saturday at 8 am at Vinny’s on the Lake!