Qualifying Joy!!!
Jess
Sunday was qualifying day...a day in the past two years that has made my stomach tie up in knots, not to mention the drivers that have to live through it. I enjoy Daytona qualifying because even if you don't lock in during single-car runs you still have a chance; you also don't crash too easily no matter how hard you mash the pedal down so that's another thing I like about it!
I knew that the MWR cars were fast, but it's almost harder to get my hopes up when they look promising in practice than when they don't. As the first cars were making their laps, I stood in front of the TV and said a silent prayer in my head for Michael and David. I'm not religious, very rarely pray and when I do it's never for myself, but I know that Michael and David have a strong faith so I figured I'd try to offer a little help along the way. Then I just hoped it would work.
When DJ went out I was bummed he seemed to be lacking some speed, but the car didn't look wiggly and with his PCP I have some confidence, though that confidence basically relies on Kurt. Then it was David's turn...I was nervous to see he didn't do the traditional first lap wind-up and yet he looked great on the tracker, and even better on the second lap! He posted great times and even though I knew in my heart that would be good enough I couldn't say it out loud yet.
Finally Michael was on the track and holy crap was that nerve-wracking! He was on the pole! I couldn't even fathom Michael on the pole for the Daytona 500! But then at the last moment he dropped to second...
But I didn't care! Because he and David were in the Daytona 500!!!
Danni and I screamed and jumped and scared the dog! It was more than I could have ever dreamed of! Realistically, anyway. Seeing the smiles on Michael and Paul Andrews' faces was the most amazing feeling. What a way to start out the week of the 500!
So looking back I'm kicking myself for not adding in DJ to that little prayer. But maybe I shouldn't push my luck.
Kurt has me nervous because he's in the more competitive Duel with a car that he had to save several times in practice today, so I don't know how much I can count on Kurt not using his PCP. However, if Dale can survive the wrecks I'm fearing in the second Duel I know he'll be in.
I knew that the MWR cars were fast, but it's almost harder to get my hopes up when they look promising in practice than when they don't. As the first cars were making their laps, I stood in front of the TV and said a silent prayer in my head for Michael and David. I'm not religious, very rarely pray and when I do it's never for myself, but I know that Michael and David have a strong faith so I figured I'd try to offer a little help along the way. Then I just hoped it would work.
When DJ went out I was bummed he seemed to be lacking some speed, but the car didn't look wiggly and with his PCP I have some confidence, though that confidence basically relies on Kurt. Then it was David's turn...I was nervous to see he didn't do the traditional first lap wind-up and yet he looked great on the tracker, and even better on the second lap! He posted great times and even though I knew in my heart that would be good enough I couldn't say it out loud yet.
Finally Michael was on the track and holy crap was that nerve-wracking! He was on the pole! I couldn't even fathom Michael on the pole for the Daytona 500! But then at the last moment he dropped to second...
But I didn't care! Because he and David were in the Daytona 500!!!
Danni and I screamed and jumped and scared the dog! It was more than I could have ever dreamed of! Realistically, anyway. Seeing the smiles on Michael and Paul Andrews' faces was the most amazing feeling. What a way to start out the week of the 500!
So looking back I'm kicking myself for not adding in DJ to that little prayer. But maybe I shouldn't push my luck.
Kurt has me nervous because he's in the more competitive Duel with a car that he had to save several times in practice today, so I don't know how much I can count on Kurt not using his PCP. However, if Dale can survive the wrecks I'm fearing in the second Duel I know he'll be in.
