Recently I read the New York Times best-selling book, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. The story is told thru the eyes of a dog, Enzo, about his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.
 Enzo tells us Denny says "Any problems that may occur have ultimately been caused by you, because you are responsible for where you are and what you are doing there."

In the first race of the season finale double-header at Miller I qualified a dismal seventh. My car was way off so we made wholesale changes for the race and it improved. While chasing Mike McGovern and Pratt Cole I was pressing really hard and gaining ground then BAM, I got sideways on the curbing in The Attitudes and gave away the distance I had created with Ted Anthony Jr. and Dan Aweida. We swapped fenders more than once and I ended up seventh. My fault!

Going into the last race I had a 14-point lead for second in the championship. In practice my car was money, but in qualifying it was a bit off and I qualified sixth. Get this, Andrew Caddell and Terry Borcheller had to start at the back for missing the drivers meeting so it was anybody's race to win.
I started fourth and coming into the first turn I knew there was going to be contact as guys were going wild! I got through and came out in third. Going in to turn two Joe Lee Middlebrooks had the lead but at the exit Ted Anthony Jr. got into him and loosened him up and they ended up side by side through three giving me a run going into five. Joe Lee goes in too hot and Anthony follows and I end up getting the lead and hold it for 11 laps.

I drove each lap like it was qualifying and was focused on the exits as my car just would not stop well going into turns 1, 5, and 11 and I would give away what I 'd gain in other areas of the track. Ted was great at braking late. Then the party was over as I missed turn five and gave away the lead just two laps from the finish and I ended up getting second place.

I did not get off turn three well and Ted was right on my rear bumper. Well before the braking zone he tapped me from behind increasing my momentum. I broke as late as I thought I could but could not get it stopped and it was too late, he passed me. He was faster than I was.

In the post race interview I said I thought Ted punted me and it was his fault as it was the third time he had got into the back of me. I was wrong, as it was all of my own doing!

I learned a ton this year and had so much fun I just can't stand it! What an incredible ride it has been and I am so grateful. The Mustang FR500S is so awesome to drive and handles so well in the turns with the down force it has. It is a huge bang for the buck! If you want to have the time of your life you need to join the FRMC for 2009. You won't regret it!