Pre-Martinsville

Hello! Bubba here... Well, Atlanta came and went and we have a destroyed truck to show for it. The race went pretty well until about 12 laps to go. While running in third, we got bumped out of line which shot Colin straight into the backstretch wall. For those of you who watched the race, you know that it was a pretty amazing hit, but also there was nothing Colin could do. Luckily he was okay, but I can't say the same for chassis #58... It was a total loss. After the race, we cut almost everything from the windshield forward off of the truck. We had to do this to be able to load it into the transporter. Another little trick that I've learned is to lay a tarp down underneath the motor after a wreck, to keep the oil from getting on the floor. We unloaded the truck as soon as we got back so it wouldn't leak any more than necessary in the trailer.

We have spent the last week or so doing some testing at Rockingham. We went there earlier in the week, and ended up watching it rain all day. We will return later in the week, and try it again. All this testing is for Martinsville. I have spent a lot of time getting ready for Martinsville as well. This is a track where we unload everything from the trailer that we need for the whole weekend. We work on pit road out of tents, and it usually rains. It's very important that I remember everything we could need for the weekend. It takes about an hour and a half with five guys to unload the whole trailer. We race here twice a year, and I have been going to Martinsville for eight years, so I am used to this procedure. The transporters are then moved about a quarter of a mile up a hill to a gravel parking lot. You realize very quickly how much you miss the trailer when it's so far away. After the Martinsville race, we have three more weeks off, but I already know there is another Rockingham test planned, so I know we'll keep busy. And don't forget, my Baby Boy #2 is closer and closer to being here! I am really looking forward to his arrival.

To answer Frankie's question from my Atlanta blog, my co-driver spends most of his non-driving time in the sleeper. We really keep the wheels rolling on this truck, so it's important that we both get as much rest as possible when it’s available to us. Other times, he'll just sit in the passenger seat, and we'll talk about almost everything, or just look at the beautiful scenery. Driving can be tough sometimes, but I'm really glad that I get paid to see the country. I'm sure most of you will agree.

Stay safe...
Bubba