NCR Test & Tune Scheduled for today!

Drivers! Time to dust off the fire suits, spend half your life savings on a barrel of VP, and put the finishing touches on the race cars! Norman County Raceway will be hosting a test and tune today from 5:30pm until 9:30. All classes of cars are welcome. 

For me, I love the test and tune. It's a good opportunity to see the new race cars, interview some drivers, and just get the first taste and smell of racing into my bloodstream. As a race fan, there is no greater feeling than catching that first whiff of high octane, $9 a gallon, race fuel for the first time each season. It's the same feeling one might get walking into to the Metrodome and instantly smelling the roasted almonds. I take that back, if it's the Fargodome you smell roasted almonds, at the Metrodome all you smell is urine. Regardless, it's good to be back. 

For drivers, I would imagine the test and tune can be a little nerve racking at times. There's always a bunch of rookie drivers who, for the first time ever, are getting behind the wheel of a race car. We all know one of them is gonna spin out at last 4 times in the opening session. And that's understandable. If you've never raced it's hard to know what your car is really capable of doing until you've done it. And there's always one or two car cars that seem to have to have a wreck or engine failure. For that to happen at a test and tune is sort of bittersweet. It's both frustrating and embarrassing to have to rebuild a car before you've even broke it in. But the way I look at it, it's better to have that happen now, rather than 2 laps into your 1st heat. 

We will be broadcasting the races every Thursday this year, so this also gives me a chance to test out my own gear, as well as make sure all the PA and wireless equipment are in good working form. As mentioned I will also be looking for drivers who would like to do interviews. Get used to it, because you'll probably see me in the pits before the race walking around with my recorder like I did last year. Drivers, do not be afraid to do an interview. I don't ask any brain busters. Its really a great opportunity to promote your team and your sponsors. I look forward to meeting some new drivers and reconnecting with the ones I frequently visit with week in and week out. 

First race is scheduled for next Thursday, May 16th. Modifieds, B-mods, Mod 4's, Street Stocks. and trophy cars will all be racing. 

Photo of the Day: A sneak peak at Tyler Hall's #60 Midwest Modified. Yes, it's another pink B-mod. I'm officially dubbing this one the "pink panther."