Mert Tague was hanging out in the pits. She said it is a really fun atmosphere. Most all of the AMSA guys are pitted in the same area. Jerry was up watching the Eco Tech midgets run. Mert says that she heard there were a total of 45 mini sprints signed in. She said Jerry spent some time talking with Emmit Hahn. He is very happy with the mini sprint turnout and says that they will be back for next year's edition of the Tulsa Shootout. Mert says everyone is walking around sharing stories and food...including her own ham and beans.
Ryan Broughton said he is having a great time and really enjoying the track. He compared it to Logansport, only wider in the corners. Ryan's dad was very happy with the way he looked in the second session and said the car seemed to be coming off the corners very well. Ryan said the track slicked off for the second session and a nice cushion developed out by the wall. He said he ran a good portion of the sesssion up there. He said he was trying to give everyone plenty of room in the session as there are still several drivers dialing in both their cars and driving (without a wing). Ryan said no heats had been posted yet, but he feels like he had a decent draw that could put him somewhere up in the front two rows. I asked Ryan how the mini sprints were stacking up against the Eco-Tech Midgets. He said he didn't get to watch them much, but thought the mini sprints were quicker. Jacob Wilson who was standing next to Ryan while I was on the phone with him was shaking his head in agreement. Stay tuned we are working to get some of Ryan's in-car video posted.
I also talked with Thomas Nelson, crew chief for local sprint car driver Mike Weber. Thomas said that they were a little too tight for the first session, but the car was pretty good for the second session. He said they had trouble telling what they really wanted to do as there were several spins in their session. He said that he is really enjoying the atmosphere. He said everyone is really friendly and everything has gone pretty smoothly so far. He said that it is incredibly warm out there- he thought 75 degrees.
Here are a few photos I pulled down from Ryan Broughton...a little blurry, but they help you get in the spirit.
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| Ryan Broughton's car |
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| This gives you an idea of the magnitude of this place. That's a bunch of race cars and trailers to get under one roof |
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| A freshly groomed racing surface...won't stay that way long with an estimated 700 cars running on it. |
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| From the looks of it, I would say this is the Robert's family pit stalls. |
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| How I spent my Christmas Break..TJ and Phil Heil. |
I will post more information as I talk to folks.
