2004 Season Races #6 and #7
Phoenix International Raceway 4/4/2004

The combination of the fast oval and the solo-style infield at Phoenix International Raceway made for some pretty interesting car control challenges. And the way the event was run and stewarded was also a treat.

Friday it looked like the weather steward was guy in the Ark with animals lined up two-by-two... floods of rainwater washing through the paddock, and the track would have been more amenable for hovercraft than race cars. But hey, we were there to drive so several drivers went out anyway.

Everyone was pleased to see Chris Keating looking so well. Keep it up Chris! It seemed like every time the track dried out we'd get ready to go, and the rains would start again... There was sunshine and blue skies all around the track, and one big black cloud continuing to dump precipitation on us. Saturday sessions were dry, as were Sunday.

Ferg led the field in qualifying, and flag to flag in both events. For such a short field (only 9 cars showed...) there was some pretty good side-by-side racing each day. Well, that and a little rubbin' too.

Turning laps at about 1 minute ... reminds one of Lime Rock. No chance to take a breather, always hammering along. The paddock area was partitioned by class, so all the S2 drivers were nearby. Much fun - hope to be there again with more of you in attendance!

The Pettibone Report:

After what appeared to be a Nascar style nudge on Scott Brink in T3 of the first lap of Sat. Race we went to work on Joe, but had nothing for him. As I held down the 3 rd place spot for the first 29 of 30 laps.Jeff A. and I came upon a large Arizona turtle(or was that Fred?) Regardless as my love for animals took over I checked up, showed the large green creature my nose in an attempt to shoe it out -the- way,but got no response.

As I looked for away around this rare ,yet beautiful reptilian lookin' thing ahead of me,Jeff showed no interest in waiting this one out.As we came on to the oval Jeff and I both had the right pedal mashed to the floor as if we where tring to sqeeze the life out of a rattlesnake(or turtle) Jeff's motor had the best of the two and he managed to get back to the line before I. Congrates to Ferg.,Joe,and Jeff for great runs .I am blessed to finish in the 4th spot considering the bunked out practice day.

As for Scott Brink and I -- we have made up and as for the Arizona turtle -- he and I both know that that is just one of those racing things. No hard feelings here. Just glad no one became roadkill.

Sunday's race was more of the same for me. Scott Brink. was now healed and in good form nabbing up the off pole spot. With Ferg. on the pole,this left Joe and I in row 2. I was behind Brink with his spare nose on my car. The rental aggreement was that I can use it as long as it wasn't on him.Simple enough.We all got off to a good start.With Mark Robinson(4-FlightS2Cup Photographer) in the flagger's tower. I waved for the camera shortly after the start.T1 was Ferg. -Joe -Brink-Pettibone-Anderson. Anderson made short work of getting around me and as he did I hoped he had something for the boys ahead.

Soon Brink spins in T1 ( I hate it when that happens). This got me a cozy 4th spot again. Not for long. Jason Cho...Choo was a fast movin' train on a rail.Comin' to a town near me. "Look out Bones ",comes over the radio. Looks like someone else is drivin' Jason's car!! Soon J.C. was on me like a dog on a BONE!!!! We battled for a while and with 2 laps to go he got by. But no worry on my part. I just got news that there's a large green reptilian lookin' thing just ahead.(either a headless turtle or a green dyed squirrel cause it's dartin' back and forth.) Ok, I replied to my radio man. I now how to handle this.

As we got closer, I went ahead and let J.C. do the research on this new species ,as I set up for a run at the oval. The distraction worked and I finished just ahead of J.C..What the turtle taketh' away on Saturday, it giveth it back on Sunday. Thank's Fred. Just one of those racin' things.

All in all ,the weekend made for some more great memories and closer friendships for all.

Car No	Driver		Make	Finish
57	David	Ferguson	Van Diemen	1
71	Joe	Moran	Carbir	2
1	Jeff	Anderson	Swift	3
94	Mike	Pettibone	Swift	4
24	Jason	Choulochas	Swift	5
55	Gary	Holcomb	Swift	6
4	Rob	Conrad	Lola	7
98	Scott	Brink	Swift	8
56	Fred	Michael	Reynard	9

With Littrell absent, Ferguson winning both races, and Moran finishing 2nd both days, Ferguson is now tied with Moran for the points lead. Check out the latest standings for more details (and the Gallery for a lot more photos).

PIR is really technical... the "Roval" aspect is a blast (thank you Mike Pettibone for all the wheel to wheel action on the banks with Jeff Anderson! A huge thrill) The Arizona region people were SO helpful and SO friendly! The event ran like clockwork (you will never hear the Star Spangled Banner played better that we heard Sunday). The kids from Children's Hospital were too darn cute! The access for viewing around the track was unmatched (crew loved it) and hotels, theaters, and restaurants were nice and close by too. Everyone should attend next year