2018 By the Numbes
We’ve kind of focused on the learning curve in the 2018 season. On the downside there were the crashes and the subsequent repairs which were substantially done by Eric. The positive out of that was he learned a lot about his car.
But as we started putting together some information for sponsors this spring, we began looking at his finishes in individual races and where he placed in the various point standings. In this we were reminded of some good things we’d forgotten and learned a thing or two we didn't know.
Beaver Dam Raceway offered the most nights of racing for Eric. They hold their own points chase for Legends. Some of the nights also went toward the Wisconsin Legends Racing Dirt Series points. As to BDR, he missed one race because of a fairly mandatory opening weekend at UW-Platteville’s orientation and the second for the first game weekend for UWP hockey for which he plays. I think a badly damaged car kept him out a week too. Also, Eric was required to start in the back of every field for the first several races, per BDR rules because he had no seat time. Apparently the Wilcenski Farms Proving Ground and the streets of local municipalities didn’t count. Additionally, he was made to start an extra week in the back per the track. Finally, when he approached the track (for the second week in a row, like Oliver Twist asking for another bowl of porridge) about starting where he drew, the response was, “I guess. Just don’t make me look bad.” Keep in mind that a heat usually started a minimum of seven cars and points are only paid to the top five.
In the end Eric finished 14th in points at BDR. He had an average finish of 14.4 in an average field of 21 feature cars. If asked, we would have quickly told you, as one of our mentors, Brian Peterson had predicted, Eric won a heat race. We also knew he got a run off of turn four, at Dan Mech “Father Time,” and nearly scored a second heat win. We all but forgot about another runner-up spot in heat race action. He also scored two top tens in features at BDR. In one of those races he started 16th.
Our beloved Angell Park Speedway was not so kind, but Dave Ebrle, one of the principals at WLRDS made a point of reminding us that Eric also scored his best feature finish of the year at 9th there. He finished 12th in the WLRDS chase.
So there are the numbers. There were some great things to build on and certainly once you look at the finishes you can shoot for goals in the coming year. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for weekly updates!- Bill