Wilt Racing: 2007 Nicholas

First Race of 2007
24 March 07.

Sr. Honda - This would be the first session of a new batch-qualifying format at NCQMA. Nicholas would be on the track for 1 ½ minutes with 3 other cars. His fast time of 6.375 would only be good enough for 6^th fastest and would put him in the 5-hole for the B-main. Nicholas was on a mission and was determined he would not miss the first A-main of the year. He took the lead early in the race and would go on for the WIN!!

A-main – Nicholas will start in 6^th and get stuck on the outside at the green flag till he finds an opening in 8^th. The car was a little on the loose side, and he would drop to 10^th after a few laps. The race stays green, and the car is looking better.  Nicholas starts to work on the field and is up to 7^th when the checkered flag flies. The car took way too long to come in, and we learned that NCQMA has turned into a Vega tire track. Dunlop tires seem not to be the answer anymore. Changes in tires coming for the next race. Teammate Ryan Blaney brings home the win for Talon Chassis.

Lt. 160 (13 cars) – A brand new Talon Chassis car would make its debut today for Nicholas in Lt. 160. Batch qualifying again, and Nicholas would turn a fast time of 6.223, which was good enough for 5th fastest. He would start on the pole! Nicholas holds the lead as the caution flies on lap 1. The race restarts, and he continues to lead the pack halfway thru the race. Nicholas begins to catch the back of the field as the 2^nd place car catches him, and he loses the lead with 5 laps to go. Nicholas does a great job getting around lapped traffic and makes a white flag charge on the leader but is unable to make the pass and finishes a strong second place. Nice debut for a new car that has less than 50 laps on the track.

31 March 07
(1^st Regional Race Nashville TN. )

Sr. Honda (22 Cars) – Nicholas had several great practice sessions and learned the track quickly. After fighting back and forth on which tire to use, we went with the Vega on the Sr. Honda car. Nicholas would end up qualifying 3^rd fastest with a best lap time of 7.526 (big track) which would send him straight to the A-main with the 3^rd starting spot. A few rain showers and darkness has set in Nashville and the set-up on the car is a big guess. The race starts, and Nicholas gets hammered in the rear by the 5 car but is able to keep the car going. He lost several positions during this incident and finds himself in 7^th. The car is really hooked up, and Nicholas works his way back up to 2^nd.  The race stays green, and the car is starting to get tight so Nicholas falls to 3^rd. The race continues green, and with 3 laps to go and the car slowing down, the 4^th place car catches him. They have a nice battle back and forth, but Nicholas is unable to hold onto the position. Nicholas brings it home in 4^th. Nice clean racing and a 30 lap caution-free race.

Lt. 160 (21 cars) – Unlike the Sr. Honda car we would struggle to figure out a good gear, tires and setup for the 160. Nicholas turned a bunch of laps in practice, and it seemed we could go nowhere, but lap times seemed competitive with most of the other fast cars. Nicholas hit the track late in the group and turned a fast time of 7.352 which would end up 16^th fastest. We were headed to the D-main. The field was very close in qualifying and Nicholas’ time was only a tenth off the car that had the pole for the A-main.

D-Main – Nicholas is confident he can take the car to the A-main, but racing is racing.  He gets a nice start as the green flag flies, but the car still just does not exit turn 2 very well. He works his way up to third when the first caution flies with 17 laps to go. The race goes back green, and Nicholas is working hard on the first two cars. He passes 2^nd place with 4 laps remaining and then passes for the lead. The car then pushes coming out of turn 2, and he loses 1^st and 2^nd place but brings it home in 3^rd . Headed to the C-main.

C-Main – Starting 8^th out of 10 cars with the top 5 to transfer. At the start Nicholas holds onto 8^th and quickly works his way up to 6^th. The field is very spread out, and Nicholas has his work cut out to make it to a transfer spot. First caution flies with 3 laps to go. Race restarts with Nicholas in 7^th, and again the car heads towards the wall coming out of turn 2. Another caution with 2 laps to go finds Nicholas in 5^th a transfer spot! Going to the B-main.

B-Main – Starting 10^th out of 10 cars with the top 5 to transfer. Nicholas works hard early and finds himself in 8^th when the first caution flies. The race continues green until 10 to go, and he has worked himself up to 6^th. The race restarts, and the car does not turn out of turn 2. He drops all the way back to 10^th. All that hard work for nothing!  The race remains green, and Nicholas finishes in 10^th. An overall 15^th finish for the Lt. 160. Nicholas had lots of great racing, but dad just cannot figure out why the car reacts the way it does coming out of turn 2. Lots of work to do before we come back to Nashville in the fall.

26 May 07(4th Regional Race – Huntsville, AL)Sr. Honda (22 cars)

9 June 07.  Sr. Honda (20 cars) – Nicholas is starting 9th out of 10 cars in heat race #2 for 25 laps.  Top 3 transfer to the A-Main.  HEAVY HITTERS in this race!!  He is up to 5th with 22 laps to go and gets shuffled back to 8th after Ryan passes him and bikes his car causing Nicholas to lift so they didn’t wreck.  Caution free race!  LOTS of passing going on.  Nicholas comes across the line in 6th and will start in the B-Main today. 

B-Main – Nicholas lines up 6th out of 10 cars for 25 laps with the top 4 transferring.  Green flag drops, and the lead cars wreck into the wall in turn 3 bringing out RED FLAG!  Nicholas just missed the cars by INCHES.  Four cars go into the pits for work.  Nicholas lines up 3rd!  He takes the LEAD at restart and is leading when checkered flies.  WINS B-Main!! 

A-Main – Nicholas is in 7th out of 10 cars for 30 laps.  He got 4th at green flag.  He passed for 3rd then passed for 2nd, but they kept swapping back and forth when a car spins out bringing out caution with 3 laps to go.  Nicholas is in 2nd when after the restart, there’s a big wreck in turn 2 causing RED FLAG.  Race restarts, then lead cars have to slow down before the checkered flag for cars at the tail end banging each other around.  Nicholas lifts on the gas to avoid slamming into cars so the car behind him takes the opportunity to pass him for the 2nd spot.  Nicholas finishes 3rd. 

Lt. 160 (9 cars) – Nicholas has the POLE out of 9 cars for heat race #1 going 25 laps.  His car went high coming out of turn 4 for the green flag, and he falls to 4th.  He’s back up to 2nd with 14 laps to go.  He just passes for the lead when yellow comes out with 11 to go so he lines up in 2nd.  He passes for the lead again, and Ryan dives under him hanging Nicholas on the outside line and pushing him back to 5th.  Nicholas passes for 4th with 8 to go.  He is up to 2nd again, but his passes aren’t counting because cautions keep coming out.  He is in 4th with 3 laps to go.  With 2 laps to go, Nicholas gets hit and spins out.  For some reason, judges don’t bring themselves to blame someone this time so it’s a NO CALL.  Nicholas goes to the rear of the field for a DOT!  He finishes in 8th. 

A-Main – Well, at least with only 9 cars today, there’s only an A-Main for these drivers.  Nicholas will start 8th for 30 laps.  He gets into 4th very quickly at the start and passes for 3rd.  Nicholas hooks up with 1st and 2nd place.  He eventually takes the LEAD for a few laps.  The top 3 keep passing each other because they are all biking in the corners giving them opportunities to pass, but they are so equal in speed that no one can check out.  Laps run out as Blaney in 2nd and the leader go side by side across the start/finish line as the checkered flag flies with Nicholas on their bumpers.  Closest finish in a long time!  Great racing guys!!  Caution free race!  Nicholas finishes in 3rd.

14 July 07

Sr. Honda (22 cars) – Nicholas beats his fast time from his last Sr. Honda qualifying, but today it’s only good enough for 4^th fastest.  He runs a time of 6.318, but fast time will go to one of Nicholas’ friends with a 6.221.  At least we aren’t starting in the “dreaded” 4 hole.  Nicholas will have the outside pole position. 

A-Main – Nicholas is starting in 2^nd out of 10 cars for 30 laps for this race.  He gets stuck on the outside at the green flag, but the “usual” first lap caution comes out so he lines up 2^nd single file – YEAH!!  He passed for the lead on the restart, but caution comes out with 29 to go.  After another restart, he fell back to 4^th place, but he made some passes and worked his way back up to the LEAD with about 12 laps to go!  Yellow comes out with 7 to go.  Nicholas is in 1^st with a lap car between him and 2^nd place.  He keeps his lead till the checkered flies!  WINS A-Main!!! 

Lt. 160 (8 cars) – Nicholas is 2^nd fastest with a 6.152 for his Lt. 160 class today.  There are only 8 cars so they will only need to run an A-Main. 

A-Main – Nicholas is starting in 4^th out of 8 cars for 30 laps.  The #2 car didn’t go at the green flag so he got stuck on the outside and went back to 6^th.  Yellow comes out with 29 to go, and Nicholas lines up in 5^th.  He was up to 3^rd at the next caution with 19 to go.  He took the LEAD with 12 laps to go then got passed back by the second place car with about 5 to go.  Nicholas looked once or twice but played it safe to finish the race on the leader’s bumper.  Nicholas brings it home in 2^nd place!

22 July 07
Sr. Honda (99 cars) – Practice (round #1) – Nicholas hits the track very confident in his Sr. Honda car after testing earlier this month.  He goes out with 7 cars for the 3-minute session.  He looks really fast, and he ends up passing every car in the group several times.

Lt. 160 (95 cars) – Practice (round #1) – Nicholas is out with 7 cars for 3 minutes again.  He stays out on the track for about a minute when dad calls him in to make a tire change.  The timer messes up as I’m watching it, and they announce only 1 minute to go when he comes back out.  Nicholas only gets ONE lap on new tires when time is called.

23 July 07
Sr. Honda – Practice (round #2) – Nicholas has another good session.  Dad made some changes to the car, but he was very fast again.  Nicholas may be qualifying this car tonight though because of some bad weather putting the race schedule behind.  All of his practice sessions have been in the morning hours with sun.

Lt. 160 – Practice (round #2) – Nicholas goes out with 7 cars for 3 minutes.  He puts down some very fast times rather quickly so dad pulls him off the track about halfway through.  Done!  Good car!

Sr. Honda – Qualifying – Well, as Wilt luck would have it, we are qualifying in the dark with different track conditions.  Nicholas is sitting about halfway back in the class waiting to qualify.  He hits the track, giving it his all, and posts a time of 6.542.  This would be somewhat slower than his times earlier today.  We had a car to possibly start in the A or B-Main, but Nicholas will have to start in the E-Main after qualifying 21^st out of the 99 cars.

24 July 07
Lt. 160 – Qualifying – We are qualifying this car during the day, but that Wilt luck hits again as Mother Nature decides to put some rain down as the Lt. 160 class is trying to qualify.  Nicholas was to be about the 40^th car out, but the rains start when he is sitting less than 10 cars back.  He does his best again with the conditions we are given and posts a 6.156.  I guess we are being somewhat consistent because this will put Nicholas in the E-Main to start Lt. 160 being 24^th fastest out of 95 cars.

26 July 07
Sr. Honda (E-Main) – Nicholas is starting 5^th out of 10 cars for 30 laps or 20 minutes with the top 5 to transfer.  He gets 3^rd place at the green flag start.  He falls back to 4^th for awhile then gets up to 3^rd with 13 laps to go.  He grabs 2^nd place with 10 to go.  He takes the LEAD on the restart and keeps 1^st after a caution with 5 laps to go.  WINS!!!  Transferring to the D-Main!

Lt. 160 (E-Main) – Nicholas is starting on the outside pole in this 10-car field for 30 laps or 20 minutes with the top 5 to transfer.  Thank goodness the outside line does not go to the back of the field at this track like it normally does at NCQMA.  Nicholas finds an opening quickly after the green flag and gets into 3^rd.  He is up to 2^nd with 20 laps to go and still in 2^nd with another caution out with 12 to go.  He holds on to finish 2^nd!!  Transferring to the D-Main!

27 July 07
Sr. Honda (D-Main) – Nicholas is to start in 6^th out of 10 cars for 30 laps or 20 minutes with the top 5 to transfer, but we have a little luck, and Nicholas gets to move into 5^th place to line up.  The yellow flag flies before the first lap is complete so Nicholas lines up 5^th in single file.  There are numerous restarts in the first few laps.  Nicholas lines up in 4^th with 26 to go then lines up in 3^rd with 23 to go.  He has just passed for 2^nd place, but caution came out before the lap was complete so it didn’t count.  The race has numerous restarts again!  Nicholas fell to 4^th for a few laps.  The race FINALLY goes green with only 7 cars left on the track.  He starts passing cars again and takes the LEAD with about 18 laps to go.  WINS!!!  Transferring to the C-Main!

Lt. 160 (D-Main) – Nicholas will start 7^th out of 10 cars.  Still doing 30 laps or 20 minutes with top 5 transferring.  We have 2 other NCQMA drivers in this race.  Nicholas gets 4^th place at the green flag start.  He is up to 3^rd with 19 to go then gets 2^nd with about 7 to go.  He actually takes the LEAD from another NCQMA driver for 2-3 laps but then falls back to 2^nd with about 3 laps to go.  This is a caution free race.  Nice job man!  Finishes 2^nd again!!  Transferring to the C-Main!

Sr. Honda (C-Main) – Nicholas is in the 6 hole again.  Ten cars for 30 laps or 20 minutes with top 5 transferring.  He gets some more luck and is bumped to the 5^th spot to start.  The caution flag comes out just as Nicholas grabs 2^nd place, but the lap isn’t complete so he lines up in 3^rd.  He takes 2^nd place right after the restart and takes the LEAD after the leader spins out.  He keeps the LEAD after yellow with 12 laps to go.  WINS!!!  Transferring to the B-Main!

28 July 07
Lt. 160 (C-Main) – Nicholas is starting 7^th again out of 10 cars for 30 laps or 20 minutes with top 5 to transfer.  The field takes the green flag but caution comes out for a wreck that puts the #1 and #2 cars in the pits so Nicholas will line up 5^th.  He is up to 4^th place with 16 to go.  He is up to 2^nd place with 11 to go.  RED FLAG is out for a flipped car with 6 laps to go.  Nicholas had just gotten passed so he lines up in 3^rd.  He gets 2^nd again after the restart and stays there till the checkered flag flies.  Another 2^nd place finish!!  Transferring to the B-Main!

Sr. Honda (B-Main) – Nicholas is getting very excited now.  He has one more race to get through to get his favorite car into an A-Main!  The track is buzzing.  All of the Sr. Honda drivers are getting scared that Nicholas has the car to beat at the Eastern Grands.  He has won the last 3 mains and has been the fastest in the field by lapping several cars.  Ohio and the Region 4 clubs would have their own agenda starting with the B-Mains though.  Nicholas will stay in the 6 spot this time for 30 laps, and as the race goes green, he gets stuck on the outside and falls to the back of the field till he can get down in line.  A full lap will be completed before the yellow comes out with 29 to go so Nicholas is scored in 9^th place.  Nicholas gets around one car on the restart and is under another car going into turn 3 when the field bunches up.  Nicholas is on the bottom when cars go 3 wide into the turn, and the car that he previously passed dives into Nicholas in turn 3 hitting his left rear tire causing a 5-car wreck.  Nicholas will slam into the turn 4 wall with a flat tire.  He comes into the pits to get a tire change, and dad pushes him back out before finding out that the judges have made a call on Nicholas!!!  How – we have no idea since Nicholas was the one with the flat left rear?!  Nicholas lines up in 9^th place.  The field takes green again, and the 8^th place car will wiggle and get loose coming out of turn 4 with Nicholas already on the gas.  Nicholas taps the car causing it to spin out.  The judges take their opportunity to make another call on one of the fastest Sr. Honda cars.  Nicholas is DQ’d with only 2 laps completed in the race!!  If Nicholas had known about the first call, he may have been a little more cautious on the restart, but up to this point we had been very impressed with the judging that charge calls weren’t being made when cars spun out on restarts.  Nicholas comes off the track very, very upset.  He heads to the trailer.  A very upset dad heads over to the judges stand to give them dirty looks and is being watched to make sure he doesn’t attack any of the judges.  We find out later that a Region 3 person and a FL member went over and offered to judge during the B-Mains that day and were first asked where they were from and then told they weren’t needed.  After Nicholas’ DQ, another NCQMA driver was DQ’d out of this Sr.   Honda race, and then several other NCQMA drivers in other classes were also DQ’d before the day was over.  What a great run by Nicholas in the Sr. Honda class and it is unfortunate that he will not get to run this car in the A-main.  Nicholas will end up with a 10^th place B-Main finish for the Eastern Grands.

Lt. 160 (B-Main) – Nicholas is still upset about the Sr. Honda race, but he realizes he has one more chance to get a car into the A-Mains.  He and dad have a heart-to-heart talk and decide that Nicholas will try his best to stay out of trouble and not touch another car if at all possible so he can transfer.  Dad could tell he was very nervous before hitting the track this time.  Nicholas is in the 7^th spot again for this 30 lap race with the top 5 going to the A.  All of the drivers are now determined to transfer so the competition is becoming quite fierce.  At the green flag start, cars are shuffling everywhere.  Nicholas is doing his best to avoid cars.  He misses one wreck bringing out the caution so he lines up in 7^th single file.  With 20 laps to go, he is up to 5^th place then passes for 4^th with 15 to go.  When yellow comes out again with 10 to go, he is still in 4^th.  The leader gets spun out and flips on the restart so Nicholas lines up 3^rd.  He has a fast car and could have passed for 2^nd place and possibly the lead, but he decides to play it safe since he’s in a transfer spot and stays in line with the leaders.  Nicholas was also being a good friend and considerate driver.  He and the car in 2^nd place had been transferring since the E-Main and had made a pact that if both of them were in transfer spots that they wouldn’t battle for positions.  The other dad was quite impressed with Nicholas’ attitude and driving skills.  Nicholas brings this one home in 3^rd!!  WE’VE FINALLY MADE THE A-MAIN AT THE GRANDS!!

29 July 07
Lt. 160 (A-Main) – We could see the sadness in Nicholas’ face as he watched the Sr. Honda A-Main this morning.  His car ran faster in the B-Main than the winner of the A-Main.  Those drivers breathed a sigh of relief when Nicholas didn’t make it.  Anyway, Nicholas has a mission for today.  He knows he has a good Lt. 160 car, but this may be a race of “survival of the fittest”.  Nicholas is starting in the 8^th place out of 10 cars for 40 laps!  He knows he has to be patient.  He has lots of time and laps to get to the front.  The field takes the green, but as quarter midget races would go, caution comes out before the first lap is complete so Nicholas lines up in 8^th single file.  He is up to 6^th after numerous restarts with 40 laps still to go.  There is lots of shuffling in the back, and Nicholas misses some wrecks, but he is still in 6^th when yellow comes out with 31 laps to go.  On the restart Nicholas actually taps the car in front of him, but the judges give that car the call so Nicholas lines up 5^th.  He got 4^th at the green but will fall to 5^th a few laps later.  The drivers finally settle down and decide to drive smart, and the race goes green for a long time.  Nicholas is running in 5^th when a car bikes and flips bringing out the RED FLAG with 9 laps to go.  There are now only 6 cars left on the track.  Nicholas lines up in 4^th, but his tires have cooled off too much so his car is slow to restart.  He loses positions after the restart and is in 6^th as the field finally takes the checkered flag.  His car was just starting to come back in, but he ran out of laps.  Nicholas was very pleased that he got to be in an A-Main and actually finish the whole race.  (Mom is quite upset because the video camera refused to work all week so we have no video of any of his races except this one that Mrs. Blaney taped for us.)  Nicholas will receive a 6^th place A-Main trophy for his efforts!

4 August 07

Sr. Honda (25 cars) – Today is heat race day.  Nicholas is in the 3^rd Sr. Honda heat race.  He is starting 3^rd out of 7 cars for 25 laps with only the top 2 transferring straight to the A-Main.  He took the LEAD at the green flag.  He was lapping cars and had half a lap lead on the 2^nd place car when a car DOTS with 5 laps to go!  Nicholas keeps the LEAD on the restart and WINS his heat race!  Going to the A-Main! 

A-Main – Nicholas is starting in 4^th out of 10 cars for 30 laps.  Caution out after the green flag so he lines up in 4^th single file.  The race went green till the end.  Nicholas’ car took awhile to get up to speed, but he got stuck on the outside at one point and fell back to 8^th.  He worked his way back up to 6^th where he finished. 

Lt. 160 (10 cars) – There is only one heat race for this class.  Nicholas draws a terrible number and will start in 8^th out of 10 cars for 25 laps.  He gets bumped to 6^th place beside Ryan because some cars were in the pits at time.  He fell to 10^th after the start when he had to lift on the gas because 2 cars bumped in front of him.  He lines up in 9^th and passes for 8^th when the #1 car bikes and flips bringing out the RED FLAG with 22 laps to go.  He lines up 6^th.  There are only 7 cars left on the track and 12 minutes on the timer.  He gets up to 5^th but will fall back to 6^th again as the checkered flag flies. 

Sr. Honda (18 cars) – Nicholas would get FAST TIME tonight during batch qualifying with a lap time of 6.232.

A-Main – Nicholas starts in 5^th out of 10 cars for 30 laps or 15 minutes.  There is a 3-car wreck in the back of the field after the green flag so Nicholas lines up 5^th single file.  Nicholas and Jared Irvan bump cars after the restart, and Nicholas’ tire gets stuck in Jared’s car causing both of them to go DOT.  The judges make a no call so they both go to the back of the field.  Nicholas will line up in 9^th.  The leaders will wreck with 25 to go, and Nicholas will be up to 6^th.  He just passes for 5^th place when his car breaks loose and he loops it around in turn 4, giving himself a DOT.  He goes to the back again with 23 laps and 3 ½ minutes left in the race.  Four cars wreck in line up in front of Nicholas with one minute left.  Time expires as they go back racing so the next caution (or the checkered flag) will finish the race.  Nicholas is trying to work his way back up through the field and finds himself in 6^th with 15 laps to go then up to 4^th with 10 to go.  The race continues green till the end with Nicholas still passing cars one at a time.  As the checkered flag is flying, Nicholas crosses the line in 2^nd!  Nice comeback man!! 

Lt. 160 (8 cars) – There is no batch qualifying for this class tonight.  The drivers go straight to an A-Main according to their draw during registration.  Nicholas starts 6^th out of the 8 cars for 30 laps or 15 minutes.  He finds a hole and gets down into 6^th at the start.  He is up to 5^th at the first yellow with 21 laps to go.  RED FLAG is out with 15 to go, and Nicholas lines up 3^rd.  The clock is down to 4 minutes, and they still have 15 laps left.  Nicholas gets 2^nd place for a couple laps but then gets passed again to finish 3^rd for the night.

Sr. Honda (17 cars) – The club has decided to make more rule changes to save on time for the Tues night races.  There will no longer be warm-up laps, and instead of the usual 5 courtesy laps in the pits, there will now only be 2!  Anyway, Nicholas has come back from the Grands and is determined to prove to everyone that he had the Sr. Honda car to beat.  He once again takes FAST TIME during batch qualifying with a time of 6.224 (beating his time from last week).

A-Main – Nicholas lines up in his “comfortable” spot of 5^th place out of 10 cars for 30 laps or 15 minutes.  He gets 2^nd at the green flag.  He wastes no time and passes for the LEAD on the backstretch.  They complete the lap when caution comes out.  Nicholas lines up 1^st, keeps the LEAD and starts lapping cars till the checkered flag.  WINS!!

 Lt. 160 (7 cars) – Nicholas is starting the A-Main in 4^th place tonight out of 7 cars for 30 laps or 15 minutes.  He gets 3^rd at the start and is running there when he gets loose and spins out on the backstretch with 25 laps to go.  Cars hit him and flip bringing out the RED FLAG.  Nicholas comes into the pits and comes out to line up in 5^th (only 4 cars were left after the wreck).  He passes for 4^th then 3^rd place.  He holds onto 3^rd for awhile but then gets passed.  He and the 3^rd place car battle back and forth.  Finally with about 5 laps to go, Nicholas gets around the car to take 3^rd place and stays there till the end.

Sr. Honda (22 cars) – Nicholas continues his mission today by taking FAST TIME during batch qualifying and beating his last fast time by .02 bringing his fastest time yet in his car down to 6.204.

A-Main – Nicholas continues to make his impression in Sr. Honda.  He lines up 5^th out of 10 cars for 30 laps.  He gets the jump and passes for 3^rd at the start, but a car spins out bringing out the yellow flag.  Nicholas goes back to 5^th single file line up.  On the restart, Nicholas nails the gas and passes THREE cars at once then 2 cars go DOT.  He lines up in 2^nd.  He grabs the LEAD on the restart and NEVER looks back!!!  The race goes green till the checkered flag.  Another WIN for Nicholas!!!

Lt. 160 (9 cars) – Nicholas qualifies 2^nd fastest today with a time of 6.057.  This is .037 slower than the fastest car, but after a tech DQ, Nicholas will receive FAST TIME for the Lt. 160 class.

A-Main – Nicholas is back in his famous 4 hole to start out of 9 cars for 30 laps.  The outside line falls back after the green flag.  Nicholas can’t find an opening till 8^th place.  He passes 2 cars as they bump and go high putting him up to 6^th.  He is catching the lead pack of 5 cars and lapping slower cars when the first yellow is out with 8 laps to go.  He lines up 6^th.  The race goes green.  Nicholas passes a car or two and then gets passed back.  The leaders are all going for positions.  Nicholas tries to go for one more spot, but the car in front of him blocks him on the white flag lap so Nicholas stays where he is.  He crosses the line in 6^th place, but after the tech DQ of another driver, he is scored in 5^th for the night.

21 August 07

Sr. Honda (13 cars) – Times are much slower in batch qualifying tonight.  Nicholas will be a little off.  He runs a 6.421 giving him 3^rd fastest with teammate Ryan Blaney taking fast time with a 6.405.

A-Main – Nicholas is starting in 3^rd out of 10 cars for 30 laps or 10 minutes.  He gets 2^nd place at the start.  Caution is out with 28 laps to go with Nicholas still running in 2^nd.  He takes the LEAD with about 25 to go.  Ryan will help Nicholas out by holding up the 3^rd place car for a few laps.  The race goes green.  Second place will take the lead from Nicholas with about 5 laps to go, but Nicholas passes back for the LEAD on the white flag lap.  He may not have been the fastest in qualifying tonight, but he still showed everyone he can dominate the Sr. Honda class.  Nicholas brings home the WIN!!

Lt. 160 (7 cars) – Déjà vu!  Nicholas is starting the A-Main in 4^th place out of 7 cars for 30 laps or 10 minutes.  The 6^th and 7^th place cars will wreck in turn 2.  Nicholas had gotten the 3^rd spot, but the caution puts him back in 4^th single file.  He fell to 6^th then passed for 5^th but spun himself out trying to get under a car.  He lines up 7^th with 19 to go.  The race goes green for awhile then 2 cars wreck in front of Nicholas with 6 to go.  He lines up in 5^th place.  The car in front would spin out, and Nicholas’ car gets stuck on the other car’s wheel with 4 to go.  Nicholas lines up 6^th and makes 2 nice passes to finish in 4^th!

25 August 07
Sr. Honda (21 cars) – Single car qualifying for this special race.  Nicholas proves his point again as times are back down to what they had been running.  Nicholas would get FAST TIME and the TRACK RECORD with a 6.162 (beating his previous track record of 6.268).

A-Main – Nicholas is starting in 5^th out of the 10 cars for this 40 lap race.  He is pumped about getting the track record and knows he has the car to beat.  He gets over anxious on the start trying to pass the #3 car and ends up wrecking both of them.  Nicholas gets the charge call from the judges.  He goes back to 10^th.  He works his way up to 7^th when he taps the 6^th place car and it spins out.  The judges saw that Nicholas had the pass made so the other car goes to the back this time.  With 31 to go, Nicholas is up to 5^th.  On the next caution he is up to 3^rd with 22 laps to go.  Nicholas knows he has plenty of time and laps to try and win.  The field lines up to go green.  The second place car gets loose coming out of turn 2 on the restart, and Nicholas taps him.  Nicholas runs out of luck this time.  The judges give him another charge call resulting in a DQ for Nicholas.  Sorry dude!

1 September 07
(Regional race – Huntsville Alabama)

8 September 07

Sr. Honda (21 cars) – Nicholas is in heat race #2.  He is starting in 2^nd out of 7 cars for 25 laps with the top 2 going directly to the A-Main.  He gets lucky and gets down in 2^nd right away.  He passes for the LEAD on lap 2.  Yellow comes out with 18 to go.  Nicholas and teammate Ryan Blaney are lined up first and second after a RED FLAG with 14 laps to go.  Ryan passes Nicholas for the lead, but Nicholas passes right back keeping the lead till the end.  WINS the heat race!  Ryan is in 2^nd.  Both transfer to the A-Main.

A-Main – Nicholas is starting 4^th out of 10 cars for 30 laps.  He found a hole to get down into 5^th, but a yellow flag on the first lap puts Nicholas 4^th in single file.  He is in 3^rd with 26 to go.  He gets 2^nd on the restart and just passes for the LEAD when caution comes out with 24 to go.  His pass doesn’t count so he lines up in 2^nd.  With about 14 to go, the field is lined up ready to go.  The flagman shows the drivers the one to go signal.  The leader, Nicholas and Ryan all get on the gas, but the field wasn’t totally closed up so the flagman changes his mind at the last minute and calls off the start.  The leader checks up, but Ryan will tap Nicholas causing Nicholas’ front end to go up and over the back end of the leader’s car.  Nicholas goes DOT.  He comes into the pits, but something is broken, and he can’t return to the track.  Nicholas gets a 10^th place finish – DNF.

Lt. 160 (8 cars) – All the handlers have agreed today that it’s a waste of time, money and tires to run a heat race with less than ten cars so the drivers will line up for the A-Main according to their number draw at registration.

A-Main – Nicholas lines up in 3^rd out of 8 cars for 30 laps.  He settles into 4^th after the start and passes for 3^rd.  He lines up 3^rd after the first caution with 22 to go.  He gets under both the lead cars to take the LEAD, and yellow will come out again with 21 to go.  Second place will get under Nicholas, but caution comes out again before a lap is completed so Nicholas lines up 1^st.  On the next yellow flag, he falls to 2^nd then to 3^rd.  The top 3 cars decide to get in line and pull away from the rest of the field.  Yellow out again with 3 laps to go, Nicholas passes for 2^nd and stays there till checkered.

15-16 September 07
Regional race – Cumming, GA (NGQMA)

Sr. Honda (29 cars) – Nicholas qualifies 6^th fastest out of 29 cars for this regional putting him in the B-Main.  He runs a lap time of 6.377.  Fast time for the class goes to another NCQMA driver that Nicholas is in competition with for the Sr. Honda regional championship.

B-Main – There was a rain delay on Saturday so the club has decided that they’ll try to get through the B-Mains for tonight and run the A-Mains on Sunday.  Nicholas has his favorite position to start – 5^th place out of 10 cars for 30 laps.  He grabs 2^nd at the start and takes the LEAD by the third lap!  He is lapping cars with 20 to go.  A car flips bringing out the RED FLAG with 17 to go.  The field lines up with a lap car in between Nicholas and 2^nd place, but it comes into the pits.  Nicholas is still leading on the next caution with 13 to go.  He goes on to WIN the B-Main!

A-Main – Nicholas will start in 6^th out of 10 cars for 40 laps.  He gets stuck on the outside and is falling to the back when a car DOTS so he lines up in 8^th.  After the restart, two cars behind Nicholas wreck so the judges don’t see Nicholas and another car get together in turn 2.  They go back green, and Nicholas works his way up to 3^rd with 29 to go.  He passes the 2^nd place car, and just as he gets by him, that car DOTs.  They line up and go green.  Nicholas passes for the LEAD, but a car DOTs so he goes back to 2nd with 24 to go.  He takes the lead on the restart.  He is lapping cars with 16 to go.  As he goes by one car, it DOTs.  We start laughing that Nicholas is flying by them so fast that it takes the air off their cars and they lose control!  He goes on to take the checkered and WINS another regional race!!!

Lt. 160 (27 cars) – Nicholas has a great qualifying run for this class.  He takes fast time with a 6.123.

A-Main (16 September 07) – Nicholas is in that all-famous, most-coveted spot again.  He will start 5^th out of 10 cars for 40 laps.  He gets an awesome start and is running in 2^nd by the end of the first lap!  He is in the LEAD with 34 to go.  He lines up 1^st after a caution with 29 to go.  A car flips with 21 to go so the RED FLAG comes out.  He keeps the lead on the restart, but he has a FL friend in 2^nd place that is ALL OVER his back bumper.  With about 10 laps to go, 2^nd place tries to make his move and pass Nicholas, but he hits the speed bumps in turns 3 and 4 and has to back out of the gas.  This gives Nicholas an opportunity to check out.  He is just catching lap traffic on the white flag lap.  Nicholas’ FIRST Lt. 160 WIN this year!!!

A-Main – Nicholas is on the outside pole in this 10-car field.  The criteria for this special race is the cars will run 50 laps then have a pit stop.  They will line up according to how they finish the 2-tire pit stop for the final 50 laps.  Nicholas gets a great start and gets the LEAD at the green!  He checks out on the rest of the field and is lapping cars for the second time when the first caution is out with 17 laps to go.  Something happens with the lap counter, and it goes down to 7 laps.  The cars finish those laps with Nicholas in the lead.  Come to find out they have only run 40 laps so the second part will be 60 laps.  Kevin and Chris are the tire changers for Nicholas’ car.  Paul and Jack are the tire changers for Ryan’s car.  Well, Chris has problems with the rear tire, and they finish 4^th on the pit stop.  Ryan would come out in 1^st.  The field lines back up for the next portion of the race.  Nicholas is in 4^th single file.  He gets up to 2^nd on the restart.  Everyone in the top 4 is running very close.  The cars roll, and next yellow is out with 35 to go.  Nicholas lines up 3^rd, but there is a lapped car in 2^nd.  Nicholas takes the LEAD after a couple laps, and he and the 2^nd place car stay bumper to bumper for many, many laps.  Nicholas will fall to 2^nd with 14 to go and line up in 2^nd with 11 to go after a caution.  There is a lapped car between the leader and Nicholas and 2 lapped cars between Nicholas and 3^rd place.  Nicholas will pass the lapped car on the restart and will again take the LEAD with 8 to go.  The second place car will bide his time and pass Nicholas for the lead on the white flag lap trying to stay low and block Nicholas, but Nicholas would have none of that.  Nicholas dives under the leader in turns 1 and 2, they go side by side down the backstretch and into turns 3 and 4.  They come out of turn 4 with Nicholas on the bottom when the outside car bumps his left front tire with Nicholas’ right rear as they come across the start/finish line.  What an exciting race!!  Nicholas takes another WIN at NCQMA!!!  He can’t make it back to take his victory lap because the tire bump knocked his chain off!

29 September 07

Sr. Honda (24 cars) – Nicholas qualifies 3^rd today with a fast lap of 6.210.

A-Main – Well, Nicholas will start in a different spot for a change.  He’ll be 3^rd out of 10 cars for 30 laps.  He gets 2^nd at the green flag start.  He takes the LEAD with 26 to go!  The second place car had just passed Nicholas for the lead when yellow comes out so it doesn’t count.  Nicholas lines up 1^st with 19 to go.  The 2^nd place car will pass Nicholas with 15 to go.  Nicholas will take the LEAD back with 10 to go.  Second place will pass again with 5 to go.  Nicholas waits for just the right time and passes for the LEAD with 2 to go and holds on to WIN!!!  Another exciting Sr. Honda finish!  Great racing guys!

Lt. 160 (10 cars) – Nicholas will qualify this car 3^rd fastest today also with a time of 6.042.  Fast time will break the 6 second mark with a 5.974.  These cars are getting so fast.

A-Main – Nicholas is in 3^rd out of 10 cars for 30 laps.  He gets 2^nd place at the start.  He falls back to 3^rd with about 20 laps to go.  The leaders are lapping cars.  Second place spins out with 9 laps to go.  Nicholas lines up in 2^nd, but there is a lap car between him and the leader.  A few laps later, third place will close in on Nicholas and pass him with 5 to go.  Nicholas brings this one home in 3^rd.  Nice racing dude!

20 October 07

Sr. Honda (21 cars) – Nicholas qualifies 2^nd fastest with a lap of 6.205.

A-Main – Nicholas is back in the “dreaded” 4 hole for this 30 lap race.  The field takes the green, but caution comes out before the lap is complete.  Nicholas lines up single file in 4^th.  There is a RED FLAG after this next restart.  Nicholas lines up in 3^rd.  The leader wrecks with 21 laps to go with Nicholas still running in 3^rd.  He is gaining on the cars in front of him and takes the LEAD within 2 laps!  Next caution is out with 19 to go.  The second place car gets around Nicholas for a lap then Nicholas passes him back for the lead.  Next yellow comes with 7 laps left.  Nicholas and the second place car take off.  The car behind him goes for the lead as they take the white flag.  Nicholas goes low to try and get him back coming out of turn 4, but he comes up a little short and crosses the line in 2^nd.

Lt. 160 (10 cars) – Wow, times are getting fast for this class.  Nicholas will end up qualifying 5^th fastest with a 6.052.  The fastest car will post a time of 5.968.

A-Main – Well, 5^th fastest isn’t always so bad.  We don’t get points for qualifying at this track so starting on the POLE can be a great advantage (at least for awhile)!  Nicholas will take the lead at the green, but the usual caution happens to put them in single file.  He lines up first, but second place will get him on the restart with 26 laps left.  He will end up falling to 4^th on the next restart.  He is up to 3^rd when the next yellow flies with 12 laps to go.  The top 3 cars keep changing positions, and Nicholas finally gets back to take the LEAD when a car hits the wall with 9 laps left, but his pass doesn’t count so he lines up in 2^nd.  He gets loose on the restart coming out of turn 4 and DOTs so he goes back to 10^th.  He gets up to 7^th with 5 laps left.  After that he can’t catch the lead pack of cars so he will finish in 7^th for the night.

Carolina Fall Nationals
2 New Classes and an Old Favorite
24 November 07

Sr. Honda (58 cars) – Nicholas qualifies his favorite car 3^rd fastest with a time of 6.284.  The top 5 cars are NCQMA drivers.  No one breaks his track record of 6.142.

A – Main – Nicholas is starting 3^rd out of 10 drivers for this 40 lap race.  The field takes the green flag, and Nicholas comes out in 2^nd place.  He is running there for many laps till he finally passes for the LEAD with 29 laps to go.  He checks out on the rest of the drivers.  He has almost half a lap lead over 2^nd place when a few laps later a car in the rear spins out on the frontstretch.  Nicholas is coming out of turn 4, sees the car and tries to go high between the car and the wall.  Normally this would work, but apparently the other car was still drifting up the track as Nicholas goes high.  Nicholas’ left front wheel hits the other car hard causing Nicholas’ car to do a 180 and slam into the turn 1 wall.  He is taken into the pits with 22 laps left.  His car is damaged too badly to finish.  What a big disappointment for him!  He knew he had the car to beat.  He will get a DNF – 10^th place finish.

Sr. Stock (13 cars) – Nicholas and Dad have converted the Lt. 160 car into a Sr. Stock car for this national race.  We were given a fantastic opportunity to run this class with an engine sponsored by Ziggy’s Motorworks.  Nicholas has another good qualifying run putting him 3^rd fastest with a time of 6.279. 

A-Main – Nicholas is starting in the 3 hole again for this 40 lap race.  Our second round of bad luck is about to hit Wilt Racing today.  Nicholas’ car wouldn’t start.  Many times he was pushed around and around the track trying to get the car to fire.  He missed all of warm-up, but other cars were also having trouble starting or staying running.  It took quite awhile to get the initial line-up because the cold was really wreaking havoc with these engines.  The field takes the one to go signal, and as they are coming out of turn 4, they get the green flag, but there is a wreck almost instantly just as Nicholas’ car FINALLY fires and runs.  He comes out onto the track hoping to be in the race since a lap was not completed.  They get the new line-up, but then there’s a question as to whether Nicholas can stay out and race or not.  They decide to RED FLAG the race to check the rule book because they wanted to black flag Nicholas for coming out late.  The rule is found and states that all drivers need to take the initial green flag in order to race so Nicholas receives a DNS (did not start) – 10^th place finish for this class.  What a bummer!!

Lt. Mod (13 cars) – Nicholas is in a house car from Talon with a sponsored mod motor from Ziggy’s Motorworks for this class.  He is psyched about this class.  He’s been asking for a mod car all year.  He has a great qualifying effort and comes away with a FAST TIME of 6.069 seconds.  Everyone is thrilled!

A-Main – Nicholas is very frustrated and determined to make (and finish) a race today.  It’s been a rather disappointing day so far.  Nicholas is the only NCQMA driver in this class.  It appears like we are going to have another bad finish when his car wouldn’t start right away again.  He just makes it out onto the track as time expires for warm-up.  He was supposed to start in the 5^th spot, but a car was in the pits at time, and Nicholas gets bumped to the outside 4 hole.  They take the green, and he jumps down into 2^nd.  Caution comes out on the next lap so he lines up in 2^nd with 39 to go.  They restart, and Nicholas grabs the LEAD with 38 laps left.  He is still leading with 36 to go.  After another caution with 30 to go, there is only 5 minutes left on the clock.  He lines up in 1^st after a yellow flag with 22 laps to go.  The clock expires!  The rule now is to go till checkered or the next yellow – whichever comes first.  Nicholas brings the field around for the restart.  He keeps the lead and starts to check out.  He is very hungry for a win today!  Finally, luck is on our side.  Caution is out for the final time with 17 laps left, and Nicholas is leading.  The field lines up in correct order under caution, and the flagman shows them the checkered flag. Nicholas WINS his first Lt. Mod race!!!  It wasn’t a full 40 lap race, but Nicholas is thrilled nonetheless.  Way to go man!!  Thanks to Ziggy and Talon for this opportunity.