Thursday, July 3, 2008: Susquehanna Speedway, PA
It didn't take long for guest driver, Doug Dodson, to look like a regular in wingless midgets last night. 33 cars signed in for competition at Susquehanna Speedway. Doug had to start last in his heat race of 11 cars and would have to finish in the top 6 to transfer directly to the A-main. Doug steadily worked his way through traffic, as he'd enter the turn a little higher than most other cars and dive underneath them coming off. It was an impressive run, especially for his first wingless event. On lap 6 of 8, Doug passed for 6th position and it looked promising that he'd qualify for the feature. However, there was an accident on lap 7 and the cars bunched up for a restart. On the restart, the driver behind Doug, knowing that she only needed one more spot to qualify, seemed to have intentionally spun him out by never lifting or breaking in the first turn. They checkered the race with the caution. Unfortunate turn of events for Doug and for the team.
Doug did have a second chance at qualifying the #26 midget thru the consolation race, but there was an early race accident and he had no where to go. After getting collected in the wreck, he had a right front flat and had to pull in.
Garage Notes: We already put two wheel halves together to make a new right front wheel and we have a right rubrail repair to do. Other than that, you can count on the Stevens Racing team to be back at the track for Winchester, VA tomorrow night with Doug Dodson again behind the wheel (weather permitting.)