Bulls Gap, TN

We had a pretty tough weekend last week in Dayton. My dad had a heart attack at the track saturday and Nick Cummings, a friend and fellow racer also got into a bad accident in which he is still at Miami Valley hospital in Dayton as I write this. So if everyone can keep both of them in their prayers, that would mean alot. Dad was scheduled for surgery today, but can't have it now today because he had a fever yesterday and the surgery got pushed back 3 days til thursday.
 
We had a pretty short week with all of this happening to get ready for the next national in Bulls Gap, TN under quite a bit of stress and concern of other things going on but we got ready and headed that way for the national. Long time tuner for many riders like Bryan Smith and Jake Johnson, Rich Hanson came with us to wrench on our bikes for the weekend. This was very beneficial to us. Having a tuner who has been around flattrack for so long and specializes in this type of stuff was huge. Hopefully we can continue something in the future because I know with his knowledge to the table, we can do big things. He also does a good job of keeping my head on straight and keeping me focused.
 
Anyway, went out for practice. I actually felt like I was struggling. I never qualify good and sure enough I was 21st fastest after it was over. I was real bummed. I haven't been on the front row (top 18) all year but I think this is the best we did, so its a improvement. I had a stacked heat with Coolbeth, Carr, Mees, Russell and Bergen. I was last off the line as I was on the very bottom and I must of hit a slick spot and spun really bad. I came from like 15th place up to 10th. There were 2 riders in front of me on jap bikes that were real squirrley. I didn't ride good at all in this heat race. The track changed quite a bit and I wasn't aggresive enough.
 
I started middle back row for my semi and they only take 3 riders to the main. I got off the line descent, but I was still like 8th or 9th coming off turn 2. We only had 8 laps to do something and with 16 second lap times, I had my work cut out. I passed a few guys and was running 5th and 6th when Jake Johnson and me started battling. He passed me once up the inside and I got back around him up top. We worked our way to the leaders and I guess he broke with 2 laps to go or something. I was right on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th with a lap to go, and I squeaked by 4th in turn 3 but came a bike length or two short from 3rd place and I would miss the main by a tenth of a second. Just my luck. The good news was we laid down a lap time equal to the winner of the semi and that was coming through traffic and I was faster then 2nd and 3rd place time wise, but not finish wise and thats what counts. The top 3 riders were all on the front row and I put myself in a bad position to be on the back row all day and getting bad starts. Rich Hanson had the bike working awesome and after watching the main event, I was really bummed because I know I could of had something for the pack.
 
On the way home, we discussed what I was doing wrong and he noticed some things that would help me for the rest of the year. We know were fast enough to do it, but we just got to get the job done. Got to keep moving forward and not give up. A short week this week and were off to Lima, Ohio where I struggled last year, so im just looking to improve from last year, get good starts and try my best and see where that gets us. My sister shayna got 3rd in the pro-sport final after having a bad first lap and passing alot of guys. That was good at least. Also, thanks to everyone who has been praying for dad and for his speedy recovery!