#44 Garris nabs 3rd in Race #4

[brenshlus]

It was yet another great night of racing @ MVS. And once again, Mike Garris pulled through in dramatic fashion. 30 cars were entered for this one but only 28 showed at the starting line. On the start, Mike was positioned a little past halfway in the pack. The dense field produced some of the scariest wrecks we've seen so far. Unfortunatly, some of them were directly in front of the #44 car. With only 10 laps in, Mike was dicin' with a Toyota(...I think?) on the backstretch. As Mike attempted to pass on the outside, the Toyo lost all rubber contact, flipper over the Jettas LH fender and rolled into the 3rd corner. The driver was OK, but was finished for the night. While this was going on, a pair of pesky Mustangs were leading the pack. Mike stayed with them on the lead lap, but trailed by as much as 3/4 lap during the beginning of the race.
The Jetta continued to press the field, rapidly passing cars as we've become accustom to seeing. Just before the halfway point, Mike found himself pinned in-between 2 cars with a 3rd car spinning in front of him. The end result of the sandwich was 2 badly damaged front fenders, one of which was rubbing the front tire. Mike had no choice but to head off the track for some fast body repairs. This lapse sent the Jetta down a lap, but the car quickly rejoined the field. In the remaining laps the Jetta began smoking badly. Mike was still passing cars, but the smoke had db and I concerned. We found out later that it was caused by a leak in the power steering system.
With about 66 laps in, Mike was still a lap down but coming on strong. The Mustangs were also running very strong, but the Jetta was closing. On the final lap, Mike finally caught the pair of ponies to get the finish on the lead lap. We were also amazed to discover the Mike Garris Jr. was officially timed as the fastest car on the track(67.8 mph!!).
I would like to congratulate the entire VWF .:Racing team for a job well done and a race well run. I would also like to extend a special congrats to Mike Garris Sr. who drove his pink & grey `55 Chevy to an impressive qualifier win in the Street Stock class. Also, to db and family......thanks for coming out!! I greatly enjoyed your company. I hope we can do it all again sometime soon (with a few more of YOU!!)

peace.

brenshlus

[db]

ZANG night super fun for all...scary at times you all will see shortly in the video. Pics to follow as well. Bill thanks again for the write up and super mad props to Mike's awesome driving skills. We got one month to bang her bank into shape let's take it.

Points should be released on MVS web site tomorrow we should move up into first or second in points. WOOHOO!!!

[sLaab]

I had a great time and, can't wait for the next race. Mike you did a great job racing. Theres no doubt in my mind that if you had not stopped into the pits for that brief checkup, you would have taken the cake. By far the fastest car on the track. Crongrats to both you and your father.

Jon