Southern Motorsports Report Goes North

Venice, FL (08-21-07) The second week of August arrived and so did my week and a half vacation - a chance to get back home to the South Bend/Mishawaka, Indiana area. I flew out of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Thursday - the ninth - before the sun even had a chance to rise, and away to Atlanta's busy airport we went. After getting to ATL fairly quickly, I was able to take my time getting to the South Bend departure gate and prepared myself for about a four-hour layover. The departing plane came in late, which pushed back the departure time after they had to refuel and perform routine service. Now being able to board, the entire flight strapped in and got ready for the flight into South Bend Regional Airport.

As the flight arrived later than expected, which isn't out of the ordinary nowadays, my Mother greeted me at the gate. I hadn't seen my family since the trip to Bristol, TN earlier in the year, so this was going to be a wonderful reunion and a fun - but short - week. When I go back home for vacation, Fridays are normally reserved to take in the high banks and bright lights of South Bend Motor Speedway. But, since my hometown speed plant hadn't seen racing action in several months - due to "economic" reasons - other plans had to be made. A race scheduled for that day was the first ever "Pro Stock Jones" at M40 Speedway in Jones, Michigan paying $10,001.00 to the winner.