Welcome to 2010

Welcome to my first blog entry for 2010, I figured it was about time I got off my lazy butt and got everyone caught up with what I've been up to. Right now I'm back in Deming, NM getting Woody ready for the start of the 2010 season at Volusia Raceway Park on Feb 5th.

The week before I left my home in Florida to head back to Deming, my good friend Harry (one of my best friends from my Navy days and also a retired Chief Petty Officer) is now a contractor and he helped me install hardwood floors in our living room and dining room. Man what an undertaking that was, I didn't think it would be that much work, but it was worth it in the end. The floors look great and really improved the look of our house. Harry and his workers did a great job, and the most important part of the whole undertaking is, Donna loved the new floors, so if Donna is happy, Eric is happy.

I left Florida on Monday Jan 18th in my Toyota Tacoma and dreaded the long drive ahead of me. I left home around 11am and made it to Fredricksburg, TX around 1am, that was 800 long miles. Tuesday I got on the road around 9am and pulled into my Mom & Dad's place around 5pm. Wednesday it was time to start getting Woody put back together. My dad really helped me out this winter, he installed a new Headman Hedder and fixed the exhaust system, got all the fenders repaired and repainted, and got a brand new push bar built. He also got Woody's brand new Goodyear Wrangler MTR's mounted and installed. Woody's new tires look great and the new tread pattern looks awesome. So, as you can tell, my Dad still has a lot to do with Woody, he might have retired at the end of 2008, but if it wasn't for his help, I would not be able to go home and spend some good quality time with my family during the Holiday Season. Thanks Dad, you are the best Dad by far.

Right now Woody is 90% ready to go, I am just waiting to get some new wraps for three of Woody's panels from Outhouse Image & Design from Canada and then I will be able to complete getting Woody ready. He really looks good this year, I think everyone will notice. Woody has gone through a big change over the winter, he now has brand new shocks all the way around including the push bar, I really would like to thank Dave Reedy from Penske Racing Shocks for putting the deal together, they look great on Woody. If any of you make it to Volusia, come by and check them out.

I am proud to announce that all of my 2009 advertiser's are back for 2010; ButlerBuilt Proffesional Seats, Clean Seal, J E Pistons, Waterman Racing Components, Red Line Oil, Goodyear Tires & Rubber, WESMAR Racing Engines, Gaerte Racing Engines, Shaver Racing Engines, Penske Racing Shocks, Outhouse Image & Design, Headman Hedders, and Outerwears. I would not be able to continue the great tradition of Work'N Woody if it weren't for all these great companies. If any of you get the chance, please visit their websites and thank them for me.

I don't know if any of you have been following the NFL playoffs, but my Vikings are on the verge of going to their fifth Super Bowl. Tomorrow is a big day for me, I will be watching the game with a lot of intensity, hopefully Farve and Petersen will be able to carve up the Saints defense and get my Vikes in the Super Bowl. So far, the Vikings have won me a Steak Dinner & Drinks in Dodge City, KS in June. My good friend Ken (another Navy retired CPO) who lives in OK City is a diehard Cowboys fan, so last week we put a little wager on the game, and when the Vikes destroyed Americ's team, I will be eating good in Dodge City. Now, if the Vikings make it to the Super Bowl, the fifth time will be there charm, because I know they will win, here is why, since I will be working (pushing WoO Sprint Cars in Volusia) and won't be able to watch the game and the way my luck usually is, that means the Vikes will dominate the game and become the champs. GO VIKES!!!!!!

My plan is to leave Deming no later than Saturday morning and pull into Volusia Speedway Tuesday afternoon and help out with the test & tune and then work the All Star shows and then kick off the 2010 WoO season on Friday night. I can't wait for my second season to begin, I can only hope that 2010 is as successful as 2009.

My blog entries should now be a lot more frequent with the start of the season, so please continue to check back for new updated blogs each week. I would also like to thank Tony V. for writing a great article about me & Woody on the WoO website. Tony, I am looking forward to working with you this season along with our great road crew, Carlton, Donnie, Jim & Luci, Bill & Lynda, Johnny, Justin, and Eloy. I will see everyone at Volusia.

Again, I want to thank all the fans for supporting me and Work 'N Woody and the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. So, until my next blog, stay safe and keep all four wheels on the ground.
Work 'N Woody,
"Just Push'n Off"