Hello all,
I just want to throw out some thoughts with regards to last nights race at Daytona.
First of all it was a great last few laps that ended up with a nice win for Kyle and a great runner up for Glenn. Top 10 for me after starting 31st so I will take that.
What I was somewhat disappointing was the responses I heard to the early cautions. The first caution came out due to the outside line checking up and unfortunately when things stack up someone may not have time to do so, and the result is what happened. I received minor damage but I dont think it affected my handling or speed. No one did anything intentional or wreckless. The second caution came out when the green flag dropped and getting the gas someone broke loose and snapped to the right and hit the wall. When this happens everyone behind them has to take evasive action and unfortunately it doesnt work out great for everyone. I had to pit and use my fast repair as I got collected in it. So I was up to 12x, used my fast repair, and we have yet to complete a green flag lap. Again nothing done on purpose and no one making silly, bonehead, or bad moves to cause it.
Both incidents were just a result of bad luck and part of things. No one did anything that anyone of us could have done by mistake.
The thing that I was disheartened by were some of the comments over the all teams radio following these incidents. Things like "this is a joke" and the complaining. Did my race start out the way I hoped. No using up a fast repair at a plate track before we even really started really put me behind the 8ball right away.
But here's the thing. We had 31 drivers take the green flag. The largest field I have been a part of in the year in a half or so that I have been racing with RFJ. We have new members joining seemingly weekly. I couldnt be happier about the fact that our RFJ family is growing.
We need to continue to race with respect and those of us who have been here for awhile need to remember that new members staying or returning to race with us has a lot to do with how we set an example both how we race and the words we use on the radio.
After my unfortunate luck at the start I was able to hang in there and come back for a top 10 finish. Glenn was also caught up in the early incidents and had a chance to win the race finishing in 2nd.
So I guess I just wanted to throw out my thoughts to just race and respect and communicate positivity and keep the negative comments to yourselves if possible. We are going to have some races that sometimes dont go expected and are caution filled and we will have some that go better than we anticipate. Bottom line is regardless I love racing with all of you in the RFJ family and would hate to ever pronounce a negative impression that may be the reason why someone would stop racing with us. That would be the opposite of what RFJ stands for.
I hope this doesnt upset anyone and if I am out of line please tell me. I am not calling out anyone by name or car number out of respect and this is not intended to do that. Im just saying try to make sure we think about what we say before we activate that radio mic. I mean nothing but the best for us.
Stay blessed
Larry
Well said Larry. I'm replying to your post because I'm the driver who started the wreck on the second restart. I have raced with RFJ for close to 15 years. And last night I made the bonehead mistake of downshifting when trying to upshift to fourth gear. I was too embarrassed to continue racing. and I hope most everyone was able to continue the race using quick repair.
First, let me say that Dennis I'm sorry you felt the need to disconnect from the race because of a mistake. You should not have done that and shame on us for any comments that made you feel that way. We ALL make bonehead mistakes, no matter how long we've been racing. You missed an exciting race after that yellow and I wish you remained.
Shame on us as believers for not controlling our frustration and/or allowing negative comments to be said. Also, once upon a time we were not so perfect in our driving skills and made very basic mistakes that affected others. As we get new members participating we need to exercise better patience and understanding of their skill/experience and HELP them learn from their mistakes. If we don't, they won't come back and we will be just like any other league out there that acts in the same manner. WE are supposed to be different at RFJ!
Larry, thank you for being bold enough to post your thoughts and comments here! I think you should also post them in the Fellowship Paddock so more people see. Comments were probably said before knowledge of exactly what happened was understood. Neither of the first two yellows were intentional or aggressive, just simple errors that anyone could make, that I HAVE made. "We need to continue to race with respect and those of us who have been here for awhile need to remember that new members staying or returning to race with us has a lot to do with how we set an example both how we race and the words we use on the radio."
I agree with Larry, we need to act better than how we reacted last night. We have new members, I wonder what they think about how we reacted during those two incidents?
