As the race progressed
we hung out somewhere between 10th and 15th the whole time, picking up
the two or three positions we'd lose during each pit stop. For some reason,
the truck seemed to get better on the longer runs, but like most short
tracks, there just aren't many long runs. Because I had to fight so hard
to gain positions, I kept eating up my tires.
"In layman's
terms, we got the brakes so hot, that we thought we were going to actually
boil out all the brake fluid."
Now back to the brakes.
Looking back, it seems that we didn't set up the brake system up with
enough ventilation. In layman's terms, we got the brakes so hot, that
we thought we were going to actually boil out all the brake fluid. The
lesson we learned in Bakersfield will come in VERY handy for the next
race in Martinsville.
Towards the end of the
race, there were a few quick cautions. After one caution, I was in fourth
position, and felt pretty good in the truck. It wasn't too hot, and the
only problem I had was my brake foot got real tired from pushing it so
hard! The front brakes take all the punishment, and will fade much sooner
than the back brakes. If you push the brake pedal too hard, you can very
easily apply too much rear brake, and spin the truck. Needless to say,
you're walking a tight rope the whole race.
