Chili Bowl
January
2009
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With nothing going on in the month of January, Brandon and crew were anxious on getting to Tulsa, OK for the annual Chili Bowl Nationals. With close to 300 cars entered it was especially going to be difficult to make Saturdays A-main.
Brandon hit the track on Monday for two sessions of hot laps, which went well but had a little bit of a stumble in the engine. Brandon, crew and help of engine builder Dan Esslinger went to work and went through all possible scenarios that could be the problem. With the motor checked out Brandon would have to wait until Wednesday for his chance to hit the track again.
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Looking forward for a good night of racing Brandon drew a good pill number for his night of racing. Brandon would start toward the back of his heat race, which would be good so you can get those ever important passing points.
After Hot laps were completed the engine still had a slight stutter, so Brandon and crew did a whole sale change which included the complete ignition system among other things. Brandon would role out for the heat race apprehensive on how the engine would perform. After taking the green flag, Brandon knew the engine problem was fixed and could concentrate on getting to the front.
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Slowly making his way through the field half way through the race, going into the third turn the right front shock would break! Just as Brandon's luck usually is down in Tulsa, he would have to retire from the event. Now Brandon would have to start in the rear of the nights c-main and try to make it in the top four to transfer to the next event. Making good progress through the event Brandon would charge to the top four using the top groove. But as Brandon's bad luck would continue, another racer would make a bonsai pass and stuff the familiar no. 3 into the back stretch wall. Brandon would climb the wall but recover.
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Not giving up Brandon would still make a charge but would again get stuffed in the wall. Brandon would recover again but would not get enough time to make it to the top four. His night was done. After coming in the pits and evaluating the car (header pushed in, muffler smashed, tire marks on the left side panel, concrete in the right front wheel...etc.)
Brandon and crew decided not to run in the Saturday alphabet soup. Brandon would start deep in the J-main and would have to race with more inexperienced drivers with a greater chance of destroying his car and burning up more tires and fuel with no realistic chance of making the big race.
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So with the 2009 Chili Bowl in the books Brandon is glad to look forward to the rest of the race season. Brandon would like to thank new sponsor Refrigeration Installation Specialists (Nick May) for jumping on board for Tulsa, FJ Racing Ent. for his generosity, Brian Ramstack for letting us borrow his trailer and Joe Wood for letting us borrowing his Dully for the Oklahoma trip!
Check the site for further news on the 2009 race season!
