Underdogs and Outlaws

(Val) It’s Thursday night, the March Madness Sweet Sixteen has just kicked off and I’m sitting here thinking about how much fun it can be when an underdog overcomes and is victorious over the team that everyone thinks will win. Since the beginning of this year’s NCAA Championships, it has happened over and over again, totally devastating brackets all over the country, and right her at home!

Seeing a rookie or a guy you’ve never heard of come in and win a race is just as exciting as a low-seed team winning in the NCAA. Ok, better. Way better. I’ve seen it happen, felt the growing excitement as the laps ticked off, watched with amazement as a kid I had never heard of before took the checkers. Those are the nights that make me thankful I’m a race fan.

It happened a few years ago, at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas. Ron Shuman’s gang of SCRA wingless Sprinters was in town and the competition was fierce. We spent a lot of time that weekend wandering around in the pits, shooting the breeze with old friends and new, trying to stay cool. Once the field had been narrowed down for the final Saturday night run, we settled into our seats for the feature.

As is usually the case with wingless Sprinters, there was a lot of movement through the field as drivers jockeyed for new positions with every lap. I have no idea where he started, but suddenly up front was a car that didn’t look at all familiar. When I asked my Dad, he didn’t know who it was either. It wasn’t long until we found out.

Right behind us was a huge group of people that became more and more animated as the race progressed. They were shouting, clapping, cheering and calling one name: Jesse Hockett. I took turns watching them, and watching the race because both sights were equally entertaining. There was no doubt that this was a mix of family and friends, all full of nervous excitement, most wearing some form of Jesse Hockett apparel. They urged him on, and if he couldn’t hear them, he certainly must have felt their support.

When he crossed that finish line in first, it would have been impossible not to join in with their excitement. Here was a young driver who had just beaten some of the best drivers in the country, veterans from Indiana to California, some of whom had been driving since before he was even born.

I loved watching that race because the excitement was palpable. When you leave the track for a four hour ride home, and you don’t even remember the first 50 miles of the drive because you keep reliving the race, then it was definitely worth the trip. There have been a few like that, and a few I’ve missed and had to hear about later from my Dad. It’s nights like that that keep us coming back for more.

Hockett’s win ranks among my most memorable race nights. There have been some great times out on the road, and a few close calls. Most of the latter involve tornadoes. Who ever said living in the Midwest was boring never lived here during tornado season.

With that said, we are just about to get rolling on the racing season here. Spring and I got our first confirmation of credentials yesterday and will be attending the ADRL event at Gateway next month. Look for our combined coverage right here in the blog and also on WhoWon.com. Neither of us have ever attended a Drag Race, and we will be getting a full indoctrination in our two days at Gateway, I'm sure.

Before Gateway, and If the weather holds, I will be heading down to I-55 Raceway for their World of Outlaws Sprint race on the first, and with a little more luck, my hubby and I will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary at Jacksonville Raceway’s season opener. You know you're a race fan when your idea of a romantic night out with your spouse involves dirt, "big as your face" pork tenderloin sandwiches, and more dirt.

So, it’s NCAA basketball this week, and dirt track racing next. The season’s they are a-changing!