In the Groove

So opening night at Knoxville Raceway is in the books for 2010 and we could not have asked for better weather or better track conditions. The main events were won by the veterans, Steve Breazeale in 305, Josh Higday in 360 and Don Droud Jr. in 410.

Car counts continue to be pretty good, especially in 360 and I know at least a couple additional drivers who weren't ready for the opener but plan to return to action soon.

For myself and Bob Wilson, it was a night to get back "in the groove" with our live results updates and I think we kept up pretty well when technology was on our side. It was great to have our website guru, Kyle McCullough close by to work out the bugs.

For the most part, returning to Knoxville for the season opener is always a great experience. Everyone is in great spirits with fresh hope for a great year. More and more though, it seems just like we never were away. Old friendships just pick up right where they left off at the end of the previous season.

It was nice to have a moment of silence for those who could no longer be with us at the track. I thought of my good friend, photographer Palmer Berger, and of Yard Dog, a pitside staple for so long. I know they were watching from a better place.

The only downsides to the night were a couple of nasty accidents and some mechanical troubles. Ian Madsen really took the worst of it all with a wicked tumble down the frontstretch. I was bummed for Jay Russell, winning his heat race only to have his machine shut off after the checkered flag. Austin McCarl really impressed me with his quick improvement and ability to hang onto his machine and keep it from suffering a worse fate when his tire blew out in the middle of the corner. Mark Dobmeier also impressed me before his tire blew out with his fun-to-watch driving skills.

All things considered, it was a nice start to what will be a big season for us at the historic half mile. While we were kicking things off for sprint-car racing in Knoxville, back in my hometown in late-model country, West Liberty Raceway was hosting what one of my racing buddies calls "a Birky benefit." Muscatine native Brian Birkhofer won an open $10,000 to win show that sounds like it would have been a good one to see.

See everyone next week at Knoxville and here's hoping the weather continues to be as great as we saw last night.