103rd Street
Jacksonville, FL
May 13, 2000

The day started off well with my practice. We did a few minor adjustments to get the kart ready for the race. Dad had to leave after the first heat, so I wanted to be sure everything was in order! I started 5th on a grid of seven. I started behind #7 who was new to the track. I got an okay start, but was held up a little by 7. In Jacksonville they have a rule that you can't pass until you are out of these boxes that are on the track, but they moved the starter, so I thought, hey, maybe I can move earlier, so I did and went around 7, good thing! I caught right up to #5 and he and I battled back and forth for a while, finally I got a good lead on him and set my eyes on #44 (the second place kart). I was getting a great run at the end of the straight, so on the last lap I dove to the inside of 44 and held my ground. Finished second!

When we came in the clutch smelt like it was burning, so we drained the oil and it was close to toast. I thought it might have been the slow start we had and the three warm up laps, so dad cleaned it out and was on his way. I lengthened the flex for the next race so I could get my power a little earlier coming onto the straightaway.

For the second heat race I started third. I had a good start, but again, got behind #85, who is improving, but still slower than I am. I did the same thing as in the first heat and jumped around him and hung onto 44's bumper. Matt, #5, was in the lead. As we came around to the straight 44 pulled out next to Matt. I was going with Matt, then my power came on and I rocketed by both of them! I stayed out in front, but 44 tried me on the inside of the left-hander at the end of the straight. I had the line and there wasn't much he could do. I won the second heat race.

Since 88 finished third in the second heat race, I started on pole. It was nice to be there again. 88, Eddie, started second, 44 third, Matt fourth and so on... Eddie has an axle clutch, so I made the start as slow as I could. I got a good jump and took the lead. I held onto it for a lap and then on lap two 44 and 88 drafted by me. I settled into third for a lap to see what they were going to do. Then on lap four I passed 44 and 88 to take the lead. I had no idea where they were, so I just drove my race. On lap six I saw 44 on the side of the track, his day was over. I continued to drive my race and never had another challenge. I beat Eddie by about three kart lengths.