Old Dominion Speedway - August 4, 2007

Today’s uncomfortable weather would offer hot and steamy temps. The heat index would reach 110 and would provide difficult conditions for drivers and fans alike.

Today’s practice would be challenging as the field would no longer be spit into two groups! The entire Legends field would practice as one, making it difficult to shake down cars and determine any possible problems. Today’s practice would also prove the importance of safety and being prepared for what everyone worries about "FIRE".

During the second practice of the day, the 18 car of Ronnie Bowman would be involved in an incident, which would result in him rolling his car several times before it was engulfed in flames. I thank God that I can report Ronnie is up and around, but unfortunately suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns. He was flown by helicopter to a burn unit in Washington, DC for his injuries. There has been much talk amongst drivers on the importance of practicing getting out of the car quickly to ensure safety during a fire. Many also indicated the need to upgrade their fire suits as an extra added precaution.

Car before fire // Car after fire

Racing is a complex sport! Many elements must come together to ensure a competitive race.
Not only is a good car and driver required to finish well, but track conditions and race competitors mishaps, misfortunes, what ever you want to call it, has a lot to do with the final outcome. Today’s race would be filled with emotion, plagued with adversity and offer new lessons to be learned. At first it would appear that all the cards would fall in our direction and Dave would step up to the plate and take advantage of a full house! Finally, all those practice laps during off season would prove to be beneficial. He would get the opportunity to show he could be the leader of the pack!

Start of the race!

The green flag would drop; Dave would take advantage of starting on the pole. As he entered turn one he held his position and lead the field down the back straight-away. Dave would lead the pack for 15 laps as the drivers behind him jockeyed for position. On lap 16 Dave would try to maneuver around slower traffic, which caused him to get loose and the cars of Matt Cannan and Dave Polenz would pass for the lead. Dave would finish the race in 3rd.

I remind Dave to celebrate the good runs and learn from the disappointing ones. Glory is short lived, because you are only as good as your last race!

Although much adversity was overcome today, all in all it was a dream to watch Dave lead for 15 laps. Slower traffic and a loose car did pose a mishap and caused Dave to loose the lead, but as the old saying goes, "that’s racing".

****Today’s Fan Zone Pictures -**** HERE

THANK YOU FANS!

***YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE RACE -*** HERE

ARTICLE

Matt Cannon from Westminster Md. picked up his first ever feature win in the 30 lap Finish Line Towing / INEX Legends feature. Cannon took over the lead from Dave Daniels, and dodged the spinning car of Jeff Hedrick to take the win. David Polenz in the Flemington Car & Truck Co. came home second, while Daniels held on for third in his TY Inc. / Daniels Auto Care ride.

Dave Daniels led the race for 15 laps before getting loose and falling back to the third place spot. He would finish out the night in 3rd.

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