Racin' and Rockin'..."JB's Take"

[WildcatOne]

For JB's Pick as Racer of the Week, March 17th, 2014, I have selected "Pro Stock" Jim Wilson of Rock Island, IL. Jim was recommended to me by my friend Rob Pearce from the Quad Cities Drag Racers group. Thanks, Rob!

From his days of racing his 1969 Nova, from the time it was new, to his days of racing with the Midwest Pro Stock Association and UDRA he was always a tough competitor. He has built or worked on many of the cars still being raced today at Cordova and around the area. Jim is to the Midwest area what Bob Glidden was to Pro Stock racing. Do everything yourself and figure out how to make your own power. A true racer and friend of many. It would be impossible to even figure who all he has helped achieve their dreams when it comes to Drag Racing.

Rob's Studebaker is one of the many cars that Jim has built. Bill Rotz's 63' Vette is another. The Firebird of the McMains "Hocus Pocus" was Jim's originally when he raced with the MPSA and UDRA. His last race car was an '01 Camaro he raced briefly with the Ozark Mountain Super Shifters. He is currently redoing the 69' Nova. It was originally 1 of 112 that came with an aluminum headed 427 and a 4-speed trans. The Nova was run in various classes over the years. It is currently in the process of being redone with a new chromoly chassis after being stored for probably 20 years. The Pontiac Firebird originally was built as a legal 500ci car when he ran with the MPSA. At some point he had a 632ci BBC and even a 735ci BBC in it when he ran with the UDRA. The Camaro was towards the end of his going fast days and was mostly ran with a 632 and a small shot of NOS.

Here's a bit of additional information on the many different faces of Jim's Nova as it truly is a part of Cordova raceway's history. Jim cut it up completely around 1980 to race in what was going to be super gas. I remember him telling me he wanted it to go 9.70's. Of course it had a BBC and a Lenco in it. That only lasted a few years as "more power" was right around the corner. He bought an old power plant from the John Edwards Camaro formerly driven by Willie Devore. The Nova went low 8's with this 500" beast detuned. With aerodynamics playing a big part in his decision he decided the Firebird body was the way to go.

The Firebird was campaigned for several years with many updates along the way. Updates to include a totally new chromoly chassis, the old chassis becoming Ralph Conner's new Firebird a few years later and it is still raced today. The Firebird also had to be front halved after an incident in TN at Music City Raceway. It went from being a legal 500" Pro Stocker to an outlaw 700"+ monster with NOS. Best et in the 7 flat range and mph 199+. Never quite made it across the 200 mph barrier but not for lack of trying. This in the days way before you could just pick up the phone, take out your credit card, and buy all the power you could handle. Jim has said more than once that he put his daughter through college with the winnings from this hot rod.

Jim Wilson's feature is one of the most popular on social media that I have ever seen. He's well within the top 5 for Racer of the Week mojo. On Facebook alone, there are 39 likes, 10 shares, and 27 comments on Jim's feature. Here are some of the comments about Jim Wilson:
"wayyyy cool!! Pro Stock Jim is a bit of a nut but a really REALLY good guy and always a fun time to be around!..."
"Yes he is a very cool guy! He has worked on my nova and my brother Steve's camaro!"
"Very happy for Jim.........well deserved feature!"
"Cool! I'll be listening in on this one. I enjoyed the years we spent racing with Jim in the Midwest Pro Stock Assc."
"He's a racers racer! The guy will bend over backwards to help you out....without him after my accident I would of been done. I'm forever in debt to him and with his knowledge and wisdom he should not be allowed to retire because he'll be one if the great ones missed!"
"I grew up watching Jim race he has the same name as my Dad they both ran novas people have gotten them mixed up for years roll me over and burn me up as my dad says. My Dad's nickname is Big Jim and Jim Wilson's is Pro stock Jim by Erik Carlson. always fast cars,and he has always had time for me the kid with a hundred questions, he is one of my childhood heroes and as an adult a great friend very deserving!!!"
Rob Pearce said "I stopped at Jim's last weekend and shared this with him as I wanted to be the one to tell him. He was very happy as expected."
"Along with Jim's ability to build anything, is his memory and way of telling stories... a few times at the speed shop, drag strip, or the best place was in his Small garage with Jim sitting on a BB head turned sideways as a stool Thinking, then talking....Priceless.... so deserving for Jim. Good job, Rob Pearce for recommending him."
"priceless him,dad,Jeff Malmen and the Harders all ran together the stories are great!"
"One of the QC legends..."

Now, ya see, it's guys like this. It's the Jim Wilsons that really are the backbone of the sport of drag racing, folks. Jim Wilson ain't even online as far as I know. It was his friend who told me about him, and you shoulda seen the page light up when his graphic went out. Jim can be found at his shop working on somebody's hot rod, and all are welcome and right at home at his place.

Jim Wilson, builder and racer of great high performance cars. Racer of the Week, March 17th, 2014. Thanks, Jim, and our best wishes in the future.

I'm open for suggestions, folks. Feel free to message me on my Facebook page: John R. Bockelman, email me at pctalent@sbcglobal.net, or message me on my Drag Racers Reunon page.

Y'all be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 7 PM Eastern for Racing Through History. It's a Goat Rodeo you don't want to miss. Thanks, I'll see y'all next week.

[Wheelzman]

John again you have done an excellent job as always. You just amaze me with your writing talents and artistic renditions. Thank you so much for all the time you put into these weekly snippets of drag racing history.

[WildcatOne]

Thanks, Wheelz! I enjoy this and the Racin' and Rockin' weekly guest graphics very much. I believe It's what I'm supposed to do. And thanks to BP, Jeff, Barb and Bud for having me on this great team! WC1

[WildcatOne]

This is Andy Anderson's feature from March 24th...John Force showed up and I stopped after the first paragraph...Andy's feature will be aired in its entirety on the April 7th show. Best to all, WC1

My pick for Racer of the Week is Andy Anderson from York, PA. Andy was recommended to our associate producer Barb Santucci by Lex Dudas, the track operator of Maple Grove Raceway. Thanks, Barb and Les!

Andy is the team's owner and driver. A native of southern PA, he has benefited from growing up in the nation's toughest racing region. The energetic 33 year old is in his 20th competitive season in 2014. Andy thrives on working with the public and strives to be an ambassador for his marketing partners and the entire sport. In 2010, he initiated a "fan" voted special driver awards program for Maple Grove Raceway and has MC'd the popular awards banquet for three years. Andy also uses drag racing in charitable efforts and has helped coordinate fundraisers for the Alzheimer's Association, Toys for Tots, and Racers In Need. Away from the drag strip, he works as a marketing specialist and enjoys making memories with his family.

Andy's Nickname: "Captain Fantastic"

Leverage Racing 1971 Dodge Dart:

The Body has Original 1971 Dart panels, with lightweight, doors, deck lid, and front end

Paint Scheme by Reaction Graffix from (New Buffalo, PA) they applied a wrap copying design of Greg Stanfield's NHRA Pro Stock car.

Full steel tube chassis, Certified to 8.50 seconds, 2,655 lbs, 111 inch wheelbase.

Suspension: S&W custom 4-link suspension, Strange Engineering Axles, Dana 4.88 Gear Rear end, Strange Double Adjustable Shock Absorbers.

Engine Type: Steel block 440 cubic inch Chrysler, built by Gil Davis Race Engines, Edelbrock Aluminum Heads, Eagle Steel Crankshaft.

Carbueration and Fuel: Nickerson performance Holley 850 Alcohol carb, running Road Runner Race Fuels Methanol with Lube.

Approximate Power: Approximately 600 horsepower, pushing 7,000 RPM, covering the quarter mile in just over 9 seconds at over 135 MPH.

Transmission: Joey D prepared Chevy Powerglide.

Best Performance To Date: 9.59 seconds @ 136 MPH.

Wheels and Tires: Weld front and rear forged aluminum, 32x13.5 Hoosier Slicks, Radial fronts.

Leverage Racing Safety: Simpson Firesuit, Impact helmet, Impact shoes, Impact gloves, G-Force neck brace, Impact 5-point harness, on-board fire extinguisher.

1998

Won NHRA Jr Drag Racing League 16-17 year old National Championship.
2000

Won sportsman title at Hot Rod Magazine Powerfest Event at Maple Grove Raceway.
2003

Winner of Higher Rollers Shoutout at Cecil County Dragway.
2004

Pro Eliminator Track Championship at Maple Grove Raceway.
Driver of the year at Maple Grove Raceway.
2005

Geezers at the Grove Nostalgia One Champion.
2007

Winner of 1st annual Money Trail Shootout held at NHRA Toyo Tire Nationals.
2008

Best Appearing Drag Car at York County Dirt Trackin' Show.
2009

Summit Series Northest Division Pro ET Championship.
Runner up at NHRA World Finals in Pomona, CA.
2010

Placed 4th in points at Maple Grove Raceway Pro Class Money Trail.
Final 32 Qualifier: PINKS ALL OUT at Maple Grove Raceway
Best Appearing Crew at Summit Series Northeast Division Fknals
Runner up of $10,000 Footbrake Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Andy's Daughter Paisley Son Logan Wife Samantha
Crew: Barry Hollerbrush Jeff Goodling Dave Anderson (chief)

Sponsors: Nitro Fish Ultimate Gear, Glick Fire & Safety Products.

Andy Anderson: Racer of the Week, March 24, 2014. Best wishes and good luck in the future, Andy!

Yesterday I drove down to Southeast Houston and played at the 3rd annual Donny Watson memorial jam and benefit. Donny was a truly great musician and a wonderful guy to all who knew him. I was proud to be asked to come out and play. I got to kick up my heels, did a 30-minute Wildcats set doing my original material from the Roadhouse Boogie days and everybody had fun. I had my trusted guitar man Kim Van Zandt playing with me, and Billy Bourbon also played with us. Billy and I learned we have a mutual friend from his childhood who I am proud to say is also a friend of mine. I'm talking about Al Booton in Iowa, our man Iowa Al. Billy had a picture taken of us and he posted it to Al's timeline. It was Al who told me he knew Billy and I also knew him, too, but yesterday is the first time we hooked up since Al told me about him. Billy Bourbon is a fine gentleman and an excellent musician and singer, and I thoroughly enjoyed having him play my set with us. Ronnie Walker and his country blues band Uncle Shine were there, and Ronnie had me sit in on keyboards for some of his Texas Beer Joint music. I also ran into my buddy from the Freedom River Band who I was privileged to play with for a year in the mid-2000s, "Colorado" David Quintana. Great to hang out with my old friend. The last 2 bands needed a bass player, so I played Donny's bass with them and I loved every minute of it. That was one of the finest experiences I've ever had as a musician, and I didn't make any money; in fact I donated money to it. Thanks to Joanne Johanson, Ronnie Walker, Colorado David Quintana for letting us use his great PA head, and the fine folks at Park Grocery for staging that deal. It just don't get no better than that.

Y'all be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 7 PM Eastern for Racing Through History on RacersReunion Radio. It's a Goat Rodeo you don't want to miss. Thanks, I'll see y'all next week.

[WildcatOne]

"JB's Take" from March 31, 2014:

My pick for Racers of the Week are Bobby Ince and Bobby Ince, Jr., from Kewanee, Illinois. The Ince family was recommended to me by our friend and former Racer of the Week Erik Carlson. Thanks, Erik! Bobby runs Ince's Towing and Salvage company and he's been a drag racer for 22 years. His '66 Chevelle is a fierce competitor throughout the Midwest circuit. Bobby's wife Mary sent me the following info on this father and son racing team:

Bobby Ince Sr, is 37 years old. He's from Kewanee, IL. Bobby started racing at 15, driving a 1964 AMC Rambler with ET’s in the 14’s. He raced at his local track in Cordova, IL. Around 1995 he purchased a 1966 Super Sport Chevelle and continued to bracket race for a few years, then he joined the Ozark Mountain Super Shifters. This is a all stick class that traveled to IL, IA, MO & KS. His quickest ET with the Chevelle was a 9.49. During this time he was in the process of building a new car - an all fiberglass 1966 Chevelle witch was completed in 2009. He races that in the NHRA Top Sportsman and Midwest Top Sportsmans eries . In August 2010 at the NHRA Matco Summer Showdown he was awarded the Neil & Parks Racing Enterprises Best Engineered Car Award. He has had several runner up finishes and a win in the Super Pro in 2013. His best ET with the Chevelle has been a 7.37 running at 186 mph.

Bobby Jr started racing at age 10 in the Super Junior Dragster class. In his first season he had 2 wins, 2 runner ups, and 2 - 3rd place finishes. With a best ET of 9.09 at 73 mph. Then as he out grew his first car he started his 2nd season, 2013 with a 2005 Spitzer. Still adjusting to the new car he had several top five finishes, but was unable to clinch a win. He runs at 83 mph with an 8.97 ET in the 1/8 mile. This has been a family affair since the beginning , with Bobby’s wife, Mary, never missing a race and having their son Bobby Jr and daughter Hannah start going with them to the race track since they were baby’s. Hannah who is now 8 will also will be starting out this season in her brothers old Junior Dragster in the Novice Division. I guess you can say racing is in this family’s blood!

Erik Carlson: one of the coolest things is Bobby Jr will see us and always come over and ask "how's the car running today??".....cool kid!!...Rob Pearce: Congrats Bobby Ince and Bobby Ince Jr.....Nice guy and one sharp kid! Although the more you talk to Bobby Jr the more he doesn't sound like a kid anymore...they grow up quick. Mary McBride Ince: Thank you Erik Carlson for recommending them. I am one proud wife & mom! Jay Wilson VERY Deserving!!

The graphic got 71 Likes and 6 Shares on Facebook. That's an awesome show of strength in my book. Bobby Ince and Bobby Ince, Jr. Racers of the Week: March 31st, 2014. Best wishes and safe racing to you guys in the future.

Last Sunday I drove down to Southeast Houston and played at the 3rd annual Donny Watson memorial jam and benefit. My friends Joanne Johanson and Ronnie Walker invited me to come down and play a set. Donny was a truly great musician and a wonderful guy to all who knew him. I was proud to be asked to come. I got to kick up my heels, did a 30-minute Wildcats set doing my original material from the Roadhouse Boogie days and everybody had fun. As a Wildcat, it was the best set I ever did. I had my trusted guitar man Kim Van Zandt playing with me, and Billy Bourbon also played with us. Billy and I learned we have a mutual friend from his childhood who I am proud to say is also a friend of mine. I'm talking about Al Booton in Iowa, our man Iowa Al. Billy had a picture taken of us and he posted it to Al's timeline. It was Al who told me he knew Billy and I also knew him, too, but yesterday is the first time we hooked up since Al told me about him. Billy Bourbon is a fine gentleman and an excellent musician and singer, and I thoroughly enjoyed having him and his great band play my set with us. Ronnie Walker and his country blues band Uncle Shine were there, and Ronnie had me sit in on keyboards for some of his Texas Beer Joint music. I also ran into my buddy from the Freedom River Band who I was privileged to play with for a year in the mid-2000s, "Colorado" David Quintana. Great to hang out with my old friend. The last 2 bands needed a bass player, so I played Donny's bass with them and I loved every minute of it. That was one of the finest experiences I've ever had as a musician, and I didn't make any money; in fact I donated money to it. Thanks to Joanne, Ronnie, Colorado for letting us use his great PA head, Charlie Mapes and his great country band, Billy Bourbon and the fine folks at Park Grocery for staging that deal. It just don't get no better than that. It's the kind of gig I've always loved to play.

Y'all be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 7 PM Eastern for Racing Through History on RacersReunion Radio. It's a Goat Rodeo you don't want to miss. Thanks, I'll see y'all next week.

[Wheelzman]

Cat does this guy look familiar?

[WildcatOne]

Yikes! Where did you get that, Wheelz? That was in October, 2001!

[WildcatOne]

My pick for Racer of the Week is Rod Harvey from Auckland, New Zealand. Rod's turbocharged Toyota Celica is a holy terror in the Factory Xtreme class, which runs throughout Australasia. I found Rod from reading an article about him and the class on Competition Plus a few months ago. This guy and this car are what Factory Xtreme is all about. These machines are running mind-boggling numbers with 4 and 6-cylinder and rotary engines, and I have believed ever since I read that article that this class is the way of the future. There has got to be room for this class in our associations, that's my opinion. Rod's committment and passion for his race team is an example of how a drag racing team achieves success and they are one of the most feared and respected teams in their part of the world.

The Chassis is from Rick Jones Racecars
The Engine is a 3.2L Toyota
His Major Sponsors are Smith Timber, Terrys Chassis Shoppe, Dodson Motorsport
Associate Sponsors: 6 Boost, Franklin Cams, Leading Edge Cylinder Heads, GCG Turbos, Team Bray Racing, Pro Coat
Their Website is http://www.insane-racing.co.nz
Rod has run a Best ET of 6.35
His Best Speed is 229 MPH
The team's Favourite Track is Willowbank
Here are some of Rod's Career Highlights:

He was the Jamboree Winner in 2010 & 2011 and the ANDRA Sport Compact Champion in 2010/2011.

They are the Andra Super Compact Champions at the 2011 Jamboree 21

Rod was the Winner of the Pro Turbo Category in 2010 at the Jamboree 20

He was the Winner of Pro Turbo Category 2009 4-cylinder & Rotary Nationals

He had the Fastest 6 Cylinder (with his Celica) at the 6 Second Challenge NZ vs AU and He was the Winner
He ran Fastest Time Of The Day at the 2009 4cylinder & Rotary Nationals

Rod Harvey and his team's website is: http://www.insane-racing.co.nz
Rod is also on Facebook.

His Celica is the First Import Car to Run 6 Second Pass in New Zealand Annual 2008 4 & Rotary Nationals

At the Annual 2008 4 & Rotary South Island Champs He got
Fastest 4 Cylinder (with his Datsun)
Fastest 6 Cylinder (with his Celica)
Fastest Time Of The Day (by the Celica)

Rod won “Best Race Car At Show” at the March 2008 Import Allstars

He was the NZ vs Aussie “Winner” (with his Celica) at the September 2008 Spring Top Fuel Championship held at Willowbank Raceway in Australia.

The Engine is a Toyota 2JZ 6 Cylinder The Transmission is a 5 Speed Lenco The Differential is a Custom 9 1/2 inch unit. The Clutch is an Eastwest Triple Plate.

Rod drives. Terry Bowden is the crew chief. Natalie Harvey does computer and video coverage. Glen Cupit is their Computer Whiz.
James Kirkham is on the Crew, and Lee Galvin does their web design. Lee's email is ljgalvin73@gmail.com

That's Rod Harvey, Racer of the Week, folks. Best wishes and safe racing in the future from Racin' and Rockin', Rod.

With the band being off for 2 weeks, I've had some time to pursue my personal interests. Sometimes that's a good thing. I've been concentrating on two things...one, indexing and organizing my songs, and two, indexing and organizing my graphics. I had a project come in from a friend who I grew up with in Galveston. She sent me 8 pictures of her husband when he was a kid that her daughter had spilled coke on about 25 years ago. They were heavily damaged, but I was able to restore all of them. That was fun. I also went through my file cabinet and found volumes of artwork that I did 40 and 50 years ago. In 1998, my wife went through the paper trail of my life and completely organized it and filed it. I didn't approve but I let her do it, and 3 nights ago I thanked her for doing that. She filed my art school diploma and everything I had drawn, painted and illustrated from the time I was a kid up until 1998. I would never have had the patience and attention span to do that. The music is another story. She filed all of my lyrics and song lists and it looks like an unabridged encyclopedia. I found one list from 1985 that included my stage equipment diagram, and I kept that. It had 70 or so songs, many of which I had forgotten that I'd written, so I refreshed my memory by reading the titles. There are a few that I'll keep from that list. I also found a few album covers that I'd made for my studio projects in the last half of the 1980s. They were good. I am at this time keeping my dreams alive by upgrading my guitar pedalboard. After playing a solo set at a benefit a few weeks ago, my Facebook page has lit up with invitations to come out and play at jams that are hosted by the guys I played with. It's very flattering, and I feel like I could make a difference, but I only want to take my act out there if it's 100% together and I have a band that knows what to expect. I will begin the process soon of practicing with Kim my guitar player, finishing the album we started a while back, working up an entire night of Roadhouse Boogie, and auditioning bass players and drummers for the upcoming band, Johnny B and the Wildcats, Mark III. I'll keep y'all posted.

Y'all be sure to tune in tomorrow night on racersreunion radio for Racing Through History at 7 PM Eastern. It's a Goat Rodeo you don't want to miss. Thanks, I'll see y'all next week!

[WildcatOne]

My computer was not working last time so I have the text for this feature on the Mac, whose text program is not compatible with the text program on the pc. I hate it when that happens...anyway, here's Jeff Freeman, Sr., and Jeff Freeman, Jr.'s Racer of the Week graphic from April 21, 2014:

[WildcatOne]

My pick for Racer of the Week is Derek Allen from Waterloo, Illinois. He was recommended to me by our friend Jim Sanders. Thanks, Doc! Derek's only 22 years old but his racing history is a long and storied career that rivals many racers who have been at it twice as long as he has. He is quite simply put, one of the best drag racing drivers in the sport. His '84 Olds Cutlass is a bracket and footbrake machine that runs 12.20s at 110 mph in the quarter mile. He is just out there having fun, but his 17 wins in the last 6 years plus being named Gateway's Racer of the Year in 2013 indicate that he takes his racing seriously and he goes out there to win. The car has a Gm performance hot cam, 750 holly carb, an iron head vortex chevy motor 40 over
373 Richmond gear turbo 350 tranny from fox transmission in Waterloo il. Hoosier tires and American racing wheels.


Derek started racing at the age of 10 in a junior dragster. He ran the dragster for 2 years but then he hit a growth spurt and he couldn't get into the car anymore. He then ran high school eliminator from 2008-2010. In 2009, Derek won the high school points series with 7 victories. The following year he ended up in a dead tie for the championship and it went down to the most quarter-final appearances, so he ended up second that year. Also in 2010 he ran sportsman eliminator and finished 3rd in his first year in that class at the age of 18. The following year, Gateway was closed. He came back when it opened again and was running pro and his dad Don was running sportsman. His first night out, Derek won pro foot-braking with the Cutlass and the same night Don had a semi-final finish with the same car. They were hot-lapping that night for sure. Derek finished 6th in points and Don finished 2nd in sportsman that year. Last year Don didn't race, he did win a Wally in 2010, but Derek was out there running sportsman and pro foot-braking. He won with 2 wins in sportsman and once in pro with multiple quarter and semi-final appearances. He won the first ever high school alumni race when he double-entered the car in pro and super pro and he got runner=up in super pro foot-braking. Mega bucks weekend, Derek was in an 8-car field or less all 3 days. He ended up finishing 2nd in sportsman points, just missing first place by 9 points, and 8th in pro points. This year, Derek and Don have run twice. Derek got down to 10 cars at the first points night out in sportsman and Don got down to 6 in pro. They also went to an eighth-mile track in Benton, Ill last weekend. Derek ran super pro and Don ran fab. Had a good weekend there. He was named king of the track in 2013.

Derek is really looking to win the sportsman championship this year. That is his goal for 2014. They've been close the last 3 years and he believes that this is their year to win it all. I certainly wouldn't bet against him.

Derek Allen said this and he made it clear to me to be sure to say this, and these are Derek's words:
I owe thanks to a lot of people. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for my dad don. He has helped me so much, and it's his car lol... Thanks to all the racers at gateway. I grew up at the track, been going to the races since I was 8 years old. I've watched these guys, listened to them, pretty much have studied them an it really helps in the long run, I was a little kid and can remember playing with hot wheels acting like the announcer and running my own bracket program in our garage lol... Bret Kepner...I went to his racing school for 3 years the guys a genius an has never giving me bad or useless advice the man knows his stuff and I can still learn from him to this day.. An of course Jim sanders he was around when we first started this helping dad and me!

That's Derek Allen, Racer of the Week. Racin' and Rockin' sends our best wishes to you and Don in the future, Derek and good luck on that championship chase!

I think this last weekend, Erica Enders-Stevens proved beyond a shadow of a doubt who the best female driver in motorsports is. In a pressure-cooker situation, she won her hometown event in front of a packed house, the eighth National Event victory of her career and her second this year, and she did it with pure driving skill. It was a holehsot win. There's not a lot of hype surrounding Erica. She is just a drag racer like everybody else out there. Her gender isn't brought into the mix by her or the racers anymore. She just drives, and she just wins. I understand that NHRA prides itself on diversity and they point out the females and minorities and so forth in their press packages, but the racers themselves aren't going around trumpeting their racial and sexual uniqueness. They're drag racers, period, and that's how the racers and at least most of the fans see them. We're all in it together. I am looking forward to a day when these factors are not even mentioned, all that they'll say is who won. But Erica being a down-to-earth personality and a well-liked and popular racer with the fans and with her fellow racers, has been pretty much in the background in the media while other women racers get the glamour shots. Erica just shows up and races. I hope to see her win the Pro Stock Championship this year. She'll earn it with talent, skill and determination. You go, girl! We're behind you all the way.

Y'all be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 7 PM Eastern on RacersReunion Radio for Racing Through History. It's a Goat Rodeo you don't want to miss. Thanks, I'll see y'all next week.