In the mid-80s, I joined Pat Lane's pit crew. We never had to worry about Pat doing something crazy on the track that would spill over into the pits. Pat continues, to this day, to give me valuable advixe on racing.
My first race car, a Malibu, at Painesville Speedway. We bought the car from Joe Arkkelin, grandson of Wally and Cora Arkkelin.
Our first Feature win, in 1996. From L-R: Mike and Peggy Henderson, Jerry Mingus, Ed Poderzay, Craig and Rebecca Schmidt.
Our first of two heat wins in 1997. For once, that ridiculous breakout rule worked in our favor.
Lee Patrick re-skinned the Malibu in the Monte Carlo body for 1998. While we didn't win any races in 1998, I finally made Big Dogs features and learned quite a bit that season.
One of eleven wins in 1999! We fninshed second in points that season, out of 105 cars in the division.
We purchased the little-used #58 late in the 1999 season. Frank Lett built the car, and his construction skills kept me from being injured when the car was destroyed at Lorain in 2001.
We decided to move to Lorain two weeks before the start of the 2000 season. Here we are, ready to go, complete with Painesville tires and our little Target GM engine.
One of my favorite photos, taken in 2000 just after the car was painted and lettered. Look at how low I am sitting in that thing - I look like a kid!
One of three head wins in 2000 at Lorain. I had hit so many things that we had to have the numbers redone. Look at all those tire marks!
Opening night in 2001 - the car wouldn't look this nice for long. It's sad to think that the car would be destroyed six weeks later.
The entire left side was torn off the car on the second lap of the heat on Opening Night. At least the car hadn't been lettered.
My first feature in a Legends car and my first race night in almost 5 years, in April 2006 at Barberton Speedway. (Photo by Chris Nicastro)
I traveled to Texas in 2007 and crewed on Ja Lane's Texas Pro Sedan. Is that the sweetest Focus you have ever seen?
My first visit to Lorain after the big crash. I should have gone back sooner, as it has become my favorite stop in our series. (Photo by Jim Foose.)
Hannah and I posing by Dale, Jr.'s car at the United Way Car Show in Mayfield Village, OH
