After a six-week absence due to vision issues, we returned to Lorain County Speedway on June 7 for the Northern Ohio Legends Series event. Having competed in only a handful of events over the last two seasons, we're literally starting over.

We brought home a 12th-place finish in the 25-lap feature, gaining valuable seat time essential to running well in Legends racing.

Jim Foose, of Speedway Action Images shot some cool photos of our car, including the photo at the right. Click on the link for other examples of Jim's work, and some nice driver hero cards he produces.

It's great to be back; 12th place never felt so good.

We're involved in a family event this week, so we will return to Lorain County Speedway on June 21 for the INEX National Qualifier and Autograph Night, where we will have our #85 cards on hand for all that stop by.

Based on my latest visit to the Opthamologist on Thursday April 24, I have decided to sit out the Midvale race, with the possibility of being sidelined longer. Cornea damage from prolonged use of hard contact lenses will slowly heal over the next 3-4 weeks. This process will result in continuous changes to my vision, and will require periodic re-fitting of soft contact lenses. Once my vision stabilizes, I will be fitted with gas=permeable hard contact lenses and will be able to race again.

While I am still able to drive, the slight deterioration of my vision is enough to make me feel uncomfortable on the track. Last week at Lorain, I felt good hot-lapping the car by myself, but became uncomfortable when racing in a pack. I would hate to be on the track with less than perfect vision and cause a problem for the other drivers.

I am certainly disappointed by this turn of events, as we've never been better prepared to race, and were making a serious attempt to be at all the races.

After a warm sunny day, rains moved in and cut short the Northern Ohio Legends season opener at Lorain County Speedway last Saturday night. It was our first race at Lorain since June, 2001. During the pace laps just prior to our Feature, rain broke out for the third time and we were sent back into the pits. The races were called a short time later.

Earlier in the evening, I finished 7th in my heat.

On Friday April 18, I was diagnosed with cornea damage brought on by hard contact lenses. I was fitted with soft lenses and will be undergoing treatment for a month or more, with the possibility of being fitted with new contact lenses each week as my eyes recover. My depth perception was off a bit on Saturday, so I wasn't taking any chances at Lorain.

I will be visiting the Opthamologist on Thursday morning, and will make a decision on competing at Midvale after that visit.

It figures. We've never been ready to race earlier than we were this season. Then the rains came. The folks at Barberton held out as long as they could, but Saturday's races were canceled just after 12:00 Noon on Saturday.

I changed the gears early Sunday morning, and we're ready for this weeks' Northern Ohio Legends Series event at Lorain County Speedway. This marks our first race at Lorain since 2001, and I'm quite excited to be back.

The weather was great, and we were among the 14 Legends cars that tested at Barberton Speedway on April 5. What I need most is seat time, and I was able to make several runs on the tricky 1/4-mile track.

My lap times improved throughout the day. I've lost 32 pounds since January 1st, which has also helped my comfort level in the tight Legend interior. I also switched to right-foot braking - which I'm told is the way to go with a Legends car - after braking with my left foot for the last 12 years.

Overall, it was a great day, as we brought the car home in one piece with all the fenders intact.