Iceman picks up his 45th Career Feature Win at Lawrenceburg competing in the American Mini Sprint Association. The win gives Coleman Feature Wins in 10 different divisions in his career both on Asphalt and Dirt. Coleman also won the 410 Non Wing Sprint Car B-Main at LS after starting 7th. He is getting better and faster in his 800+ HP 410.
Team CGR pulled out of racing headquarters on Friday afternoon and drove 11 hours to Lawrenceburg Speedway for competition on Saturday night. Coleman would pull double duty since he would run his 410 Non Wing Stealth, Ott Powered machine and his 1200cc Henchcraft Mini Sprint on the same evening. An off weekend in the Northeast provided us with a chance to get back to Indiana where Coleman has become an adopted Son of the wonderful fans at LS. Racing in Indiana is like Golf in Augusta, GA: Basketball in Durham, NC and and Hockey in Minnesota: It is what they love and what they are all about. The fans have seen the best in the World compete, whether it is at the Brickyard or the many famous tracks throughout the State that have seen the likes of Gordon, Stewart, and many others cut their teeth and move on to the next level.
Coleman has taken to Indiana and Indiana has taken to him. The people are friendly and considerate and young drivers like Coleman are something they see as their way to attach themselves to the future. You will not find a track running on Friday or Saturday where there isn't a youngster that is getting after it with the guys. Coleman runs each week with various drivers that are just legal to drive a car and are already under contract with a Major NASCAR or IRL Team. Young Guns galore! It has become our second home and who knows; in the future it may be our Home.
Also, we are so proud of our affiliation with B&L Motorsports in Milan, IN and the fine folks associated with that organization Barry, Kathy and Dean Ryan, Lonnie and Ryan are some of the finest people you will ever meet. It is truly a priveldge and honor for Coleman to pilot their awesome race car.
We mention all of this so that you can understand why we travel so much to Indiana to compete. It makes the trip shorter and more enjoyable. There has not been a single time when we were not welcomed with open "tracks" in the Hoosier State.
Our day on Saturday didn't start off too well. A broken fitting on the 410 (thanks Pete ;) caused us to miss hot laps so Coleman was forced to use his heat for shaking down the car. We struggled a little with Set up but Coleman said to his team after the Heat, "I didn't drive very well either". So, we were going to have to run deep in the field in the B-Main to attempt to make the A-Main. For those of you who have not been to an Indiana track on Friday or Saturday night, a small field of 410's is anything less than 35 cars! This night was no different. So, Coleman was set to start 7th in the B-Main and we huddled as a team to talk set up. Dad talked with his young driver to make sure we ran hard and that it was not impossible to get into the show. We only needed 3 spots. But, there were several Champions and Feature Winners in this B-main so we were optimistic. Well, Coleman did his thing and not only transfered but ran a perfect race. One by one picking off cars and getting faster and faster. Ultimately, he took the lead with 2 to go and actually checked out. This was a BIG win for us folks. Coleman passed some guys that are really good and you could see he is getting more comfortable in his 410 Hot Rod and the set up Ben, Barry, Billy, Lonnie and Dean put in the car was spot on.
We would start 17th in the A-Main and Coleman had turned some of the fastest laps of the night in his B-Main so we were real excited about his chances in the A-Main. However it was not to be. The green flag flew and coming out of 4, several cars nearly stopped and Coleman was on the gas. When Coleman slowed he was hit in the rear and sent into the car in front of him, which broke our new SuperShox shock in half on the Right Front. But, we were very proud of the Team and Driver effort and things are really starting to come together. We are excited about our next show in Indiana.
The Mini Sprint was a different story. Coleman won the first Heat going away, which put him on the pole for the A-Main. There were plenty of cars in the pits and there had to be a B-Main for those as well. The Iceman lead every lap of the A-Main, only being challenged once for the lead when Lap Traffic played havic with the field. However a caution with 2 to go brought the field back together and at the drop of the Green, The Iceman was gone. A Victory in the AMSA Series and his first Feature Win at Lawrenceburg Speedway. The fans really showed their appreciation with a very nice ovation when Coleman got out of the car in Victory Lane. He had helped give them their monies worth with an A-Main and B-Main Win his 2 cars.
So, at 12:30AM Sunday Morning, we headed Northeast from our second Home and pulled into CGR HQ at 10:45AM. Although we were tired, we were all excited about our trip and the results. Sure we could have finished better in the A-Main, but Coleman surely showed that he will be a force in the very near future.
On a sad note, our Trip to Indiana was without the Chairman of the Board at CGR, Buzz Gulick. Buzz had to fly to Oregon for the Funeral of his Brother, our "Uncle Bud". Bud passed away earlier in the week and we all had heavy hearts for not only Bud but "Grandpa G" as well. It was a tough week for Team CGR and especially for Buzz, who means so much to this team. It was not the same without him in the pits. In our customary pre-race Team Prayer, special thoughts went out to Bud as his journey on Earth ended and we asked God to Welcome him home. We also prayed for the safe return of our Leader and that he be comforted in his time of need.
Thanks so much for the special prayer and the dedication of your race to our Dad.
Love you - Annette and Steven!