Formula Drift Round 7
Irwindale

Dear Diary,

I cannot even begin to explain what I am feeling right now! WE JUST WON THE FORMULA DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP! I have been so nervous and stressed out the past seven weeks waiting for the final round to come. We have come close to winning a championship a few times in the past but with the points lead that we had after Sonoma, all we needed to do was get into Top 32, and win the first head to head battle to win it. So with that on my mind during our big break and the car ready to go, I had to occupy myself with small projects here and there so that I would not go crazy! The few days before the event were the most agonizing. I started getting stomach aches and sweaty palms just thinking about the weekend coming up.

Thursday’s practice session was just what I needed to get my focus back on driving. Friday, we did a few laps of practice and our team was good to go. At that same time, we noticed that Tuerck seemed to be on a mission… A Top 32 finish was not going to be enough for us to take it because I could see in his eyes that he was going to win that weekend.

Friday’s qualifying session went great, we went out and posted a 7th place run on the first lap! But Tuerck’s second run put him in 2nd! With that… if we were knocked out in Top 32 and Tuerck won the event, we would be tied for the championship! What’s even more crazy about that situation, is that the tie breaker would be based on our podium finishes, which would put us in a tie again with two 1st place finishes and one 3rd place finish each. Tuerck is one of my best friends so when we got to the track on Saturday morning we of course talked about the crazy situation we might find ourselves in later that day. We both had the same idea in our heads… if it were to come down to a tie, we wanted to run for it!! Who knows if Formula D would have wanted to go that route but in our minds that was the only true way to decide a clear cut winner.

Saturday morning was probably the best I had felt in 2 months. We had already clinched 2nd place and the car was running fantastic in practice. Our Top 32 pairing was with Doug Van Den Brink. I had watched him practice all Friday night which helped me feel ready to run against him. Our lead lap was great so my crew told me to just give him a good chase and we should get the win. On our chase run, as we headed down the straight away, the car hickuped in third gear and Doug pulled a big lead before we reached the bank. The run was solid but I think the judges may have thought I left a gap to play it safe so they ran us one more time. We called 5 minutes and ran back and checked everything but the car looked fine. Because this was an issue that we had in 08, I was terrified that it was going to come back in the next run. Kevin said everything was good to go so we pulled back up to the line. Another great lead run and no hesitations from the car. On the chase lap I stayed very close with him and closed the gap off the bank through the infield. When I pulled back to the start everyone was jumping up and down and screaming! Before I even heard on the radio that we had won I was ripped out of the car by my friends and crew and thrown into the air! It was one of the greatest feelings of my life!

From there we went into Top 16 against Robbie Nishida. I had a great chase run with him but I rotated too soon at the last corner and punted a couple of the barriers. The judges gave Robbie the win… but at the same time I felt instant relief that our season was over and we had won! I spent the rest of the night cheering on Tuerck… He took it all the way to the finals and not only won the event but 2nd in the championship! It was perfect!

Here is where I get a little sappy… I seriously cannot believe how lucky I have been to have the best crew, family, sponsors and friends who have all supported me every step of the way. As Hall & Oates would say, “You make-a my dreams come true!” Hahaha… but seriously, thank you guys. I love you all so much.