Gentleman, Start Your Engines!!!

Race faces - the men have been hard at work in the engine shops. Additional body work was done, and last minute adjustments on overall weight, balance and lubrication to make sure that the cars would pass the watchful eyes of the YGuides 500 inspectors. And so, we were ready for the flag to drop!

Not so fast. While car check in was from 11:00 - 12:00 on this race day, for some reason there were may last minute interruptions that had us waiting an additional 45 minutes. After that, the races moved fairly quickly on two sets of tracks, where 3 cars raced against each other in a series of 3 heats.

The cars came in all shapes and sizes, and the dad's and braves anxiously lined up along side the race track to see if their efforts would be victorious. Representing the Leaning Teepees were Running Bear and Sitting Bear, Little Panther and Big Panther, Rumbling Thunder and Lightning Streak, and Little Falcon and Big Falcon.

Great news for all, was the ribbons would be awarded for each race, for all finishers, regardless of where they placed. Everyone would walk away a winner. However, he top 6 cars from each track, based on overall times from the 3 individual races, would proceed on to the finals for a chance to win a coveted YGuides 500 trophy.

In the end, Little Falcon won 2 heats, and took second in his other race. Rumbling Thunder and Running Bear had one 1st and two 2nds. And Little Panther walked away with three 2nds! While we were good, it was quite apparent who the rookie racers were - just like in NASCAR. Our cars were good, but not great...but the experience was worth every ounce of energy put into the car building effort...and the cars themselves (just as long as they weren't over 5 ounces)!