We made the 2.5hr. trip to Haubstadt yesterday afternoon knowing full well that it was "iffy" that a race would actually happen. Sure enough, a few minutes after pulling in to the parking lot a few minutes after 4PM local time, a light but steady rain began falling. It lasted for about an hour, but Tom Helfrich kept the tractors running on the track. At 5:20 the PA announced that they were going to race last night and that the night would be starting near the scheduled times and would be in "hurry up" mode to beat the next round of weather. I think they pushed the first car for engine heat about 5:55, and we walked out after Justin Grant's interview a few minutes after 9PM. So, just over 3 hrs. for engine heat for 63 cars, 7 groups of hot laps, group qualifying for 28 cars, individual qualifying for 35 cars, 7 heats, a semi and a 30 lap feature.

The easy thing would have been to pull the plug on the night when it started raining at a little after 4, but everyone worked together and they put a very good night of safe, exciting racing. The USAC sprint teams and officials busted their butts and had cars on the track as soon as the previous race ended, and the MMSA teams and officials did likewise. I'm sure the Helfrich family took somewhat of a hit as the weather probably kept some fans away, but the crowd appeared decent.

A huge "Thank You" to the USAC and MMSA teams and officials for their hard work to keep the show moving last night and another "Thank You" to the Helfrich family and staff at Tri-State Speedway for NOT taking the easy way out and holding last nights event!!