Welcome to the July 8th, 2002 edition of "On The Road with Kenny Racing,"
the bi-weekly newsletter featuring the Landa Pressure Washers Super Comp
Dragsters of Al and Jason Kenny.
June 29-30 was our last weekend off until September 22-23. We used it to
rest and relax for what is sure to be an exciting and eventful summer.
The Wednesday before Lebanon Valley, July 3rd . Mom, Dad, and myself made a
visit to Alpin Haus near Albany, New York. We sat down with a sales rep and
went over the options/details of our brand new 2003 Monaco Windsor
motorhome. One of the more interesting options was the $3,500 outside
entertainment center including a 28-inch television surrounded by 6
speakers, with AM/FM stereo and a DVD player.
The 38' coach should be ready in about 8-10 weeks. We'll probably keep it
stored in our shop until the 2003 race season begins. If we do bring it out
at all this season, it will probably be at the Dutch Classic in October at
Maple Grove Raceway.
We left Alpin Haus Wednesday night and headed for Lebanon Valley Dragway,
getting a nice pit spot right next to the Dorr family. Wednesday was more
eventful than we would have hoped, as the fan belt on the generator got torn
up pretty good. Not having a spare in stock, Dad made some phone calls
Wednesday night. Both Rich Dorr and Mike Sullivan arrived Thursday with new
belts. Thanks to both . we had the generator going again Thursday
afternoon. 95 degrees and very high humidity equals non-stop air
conditioning. Thursday afternoon got so hot, I joined Dick, John, Rich,
Mary, and Karen Dorr as they took a dip in the creek located next to the
track.
Friday featured two time trials and a "Top 8" race for Super Compers. The
first run saw a huge headwind slow down the majority of the cars. Dad & I
noticed this and we both ran a little too quick. I ran an 8.87 and Dad
adjusted his timers, only to go 8.89. For the second run, I dialed for an
8.904 and hit that number dead-on. Dad ran right behind me, and also hit
the 8.90 number, running an 8.903.
We both made the show for the first time in our two-car-team history. Dad
qualified 6th, and I qualified 7th. Dad lost to Jackie Rogge in the opening
round, and I was fortunate to get by Ken Moses. Ken turned on the red light
with a .399. Round two saw me take on our friend Rich Dorr. Rich had run
three consecutive 8.90's, and I knew it.
I took a .412 to .419 advantage at the starting line, and won a very close
double breakout race, 8.888 to 8.883. I was thinking that Rich would dump
me at the finish. As it turns out, I looked like a hero taking .002 stripe.
In the final, I matched up against Jackie Rogge, who took out Dad in the
first round. Jackie took a .421 to .424 lead at the start, and outdrove me
on the top end, taking .012 stripe. She ran an 8.91 to my 8.92.
We were scheduled to get one more time trial Saturday, before running first
round late Saturday afternoon. The dirt track next door starts up at 5pm,
so that was our cut-off time. About 2 minutes after calling Super Comp to
the lanes, the Alcohol Dragsters of Karen Benkovich and Ken Winward got
tangled up after Karen's rear tire blew near the finish line. Super Compers
were sent back to their trailers and the rest of the Alcohol qualifying
session was cancelled, as the clean up would go well past 5pm.
After hearing that both Karen and Ken were ok, it was much easier to have
fun Saturday night. I, along with the Dorr's, Mike Sawyer, and members of
Paul Gill's crew, took several runs on the Go-Kart track located next to the
circle track. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun off of the
dragstrip !!! I'm already looking forward to coming back to Lebanon Valley
next season.
First round was moved to Sunday morning. My first opponent turned on the
red light. I then ran back to watch Dad take out Bob Lawrence's
front-engine dragster. Bob is a busy man as he also works on the crew of
Alcohol Funny Car driver Paul Gill. He had joined us Saturday at the
Go-Kart track. He drives the dragster much better, as it seemed every time
I saw him on the Go-Kart track, he was facing the wrong way !!!
Round two saw Dad fall to Robert Wolcott by .001 second. I had a big win
against Super Comp hitter Shane Carr. Shane was 5th in the World Points,
heading into Lebanon Valley. He had me on the tree by .003, but then
brokeout more than I did, sending me to round three.
Based on the 1000' numbers against Shane, I was on about an 8.870.
Therefore, I slowed the car down against Bruce MacDowell, but still lost on
a double breakout.
This week, we'll leave Wednesday afternoon/evening for the IHRA National
Event @ Rochester, where we'll be joined by the Dorr boys, as well as Tommy
Bryce, who drives a Super Streeter. My sister, Samantha, will make her
racing debut the next week at Grand Bend Motorplex. Weather permitting,
she'll make some test & tune laps Friday night, before running Super Pro
Saturday & Sunday. She'll drive the yellow car, as (thankfully) she can't
reach the pedals in the black car.
Tentative 2002 Schedule
July 12-14 = IHRA National Event @ Rochester, New York.
July 20-21 = Bracket Race @ Grand Bend, Ontario.
July 26-28 = NHRA Divisional Event @ Numidia, Pennsylvania.
August 3-4 = Bracket Race @ Grand Bend, Ontario.
August 9-11 = NHRA Divisional Event @ Englishtown, New Jersey.
August 17-18 = Bracket Race @ Grand Bend, Ontario.
August 22-25 = NHRA Divisional Event @ Rising Sun, Maryland.
August 31-September 1 = Bracket Race @ Grand Bend, Ontario.
September 6-8 = IHRA National Event @ Epping, New Hampshire.
September 12-15 = NHRA National Event @ Reading, Pennsylvania.
September 26-29 = NHRA National Event @ Chicago, Illinois.
October 10-13 = NHRA National Open @ Reading, Pennsylvania.
October 24-27 = NHRA National Event @ Las Vegas, Nevada.
October 31-November 3 = NHRA Divisional Event @ Las Vegas, Nevada.
November 7-10 = NHRA National Event @ Pomona, California.
November 13-17 = Bracket Race @ Bradenton, Florida.
November 20-24 = Bracket Race @ West Palm Beach, Florida.
