Koger Race Report

Bronson Motor Speedway

by Trish Koger

"Here we come, Charlotte!" Rick Koger was quoted as saying after the conclusion of the October 11th Legends Cars of Florida feature race at Bronson Motor Speedway.

I can summarize this weekend's racing with two simple words: mixed emotions. Actually, make that THREE words -- I must also include the number "11". But, I'll get back to that later. The weekend's mixed emotions were due to three factors:

FIRST FACTOR --
Bronson Motor Speedway, located southwest of Gainesville, was a brand new track added to the Florida schedule. As you might expect, brand new race tracks bring brand new racing lessons... it just comes with the territory. In this case, however, the TK Racing Team couldn't really afford to learn any of the track's "hard" lessons. The race was held only four days before we would be loading up the #90 Florida Online car to head to the Legends Cars National Championships at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

MIXED EMOTION: the desire to put the "pedal-to-the-metal" vs. the need for taking the intelligent, conservative, and fiberglass-sparing approach in order to make it to Nationals.

SECOND FACTOR --
Florida's Semi-Pro Division is in a very heated points battle, especially between the third and fourth points position.
(Note: In case your unfamiliar with the different Legends Cars divisions, here's a quick synopsis:
"Pros" - experienced professional drivers with at least a year in the "Semi-Pro" or "Masters" division.
"Masters" - drivers over 40 years-old.
"Semi-Pro" - basically, everyone else in a Legends Car.

Actually, this will all be very good information to know as you prepare yourself for the Nationals race report... so be sure to put it to memory!) So, now, back to our second factor...

After surviving Desoto, I was holding onto third place in the Semi-Pro division by about eight points over Tim Williamson (#6). After yet another lousy number draw, I started in the back of the second heat race. Tim was also in my heat race... so I was going after him. About midway through the race, I caught him as we headed towards turn one. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt in saying that he "accidentally" chopped in front of me causing me to get into my brakes. I gathered it back up and continued in hot pursuit. In doing so, however, I must have momentarily let my focus slip through the tricky turn four exit.

The apron and banking of the track meet a precarious angle, causing a "lip" at the end of the turn. If you didn't either straddle it exactly with your tires or go high and avoid it completely, the lip would "upset" the car, sending the back end sideways with the wall fast approaching! And, take it from me, it happens without warning. Before I knew it, I was sliding down the length of the front stretch. I'm not sure if I actually managed to drive my spin away from the wall, or if the racing gods were on my side for that split second... but somehow I did a complete 360 without putting a single scratch in the paint! Phew!

MIXED EMOTION: the burning, competitive drive to win at all costs vs. the humbling realization that winning isn't everything.

THIRD (AND FINAL) FACTOR--
David Chambers ran, what might have been, his final Legends Car race. Having loaded up his car and trailer, driving almost 500 miles round-trip, spending about $250 in tolls, gas, and pit entry, David showed up at Bronson with one thing in mind... to sell his #47 Ford Sedan. After just turning fifty, David decided that he was ready to move on. But, with the car count lower than expected, he was persuaded to take to the track -- and he ran a fantastic race despite a wrong gear and no set-up time.

MIXED EMOTION: seeing one of my favorite competitors (and friend) leave the series vs. the anticipation of seeing him climb into his new, mammoth, "bad-to-the-bone" DRAGSTER! Best of luck, David and Linda!

It certainly was a night of mixed emotions. And, as I mentioned earlier, it was also a night of elevens: it was October 11th, we were in pit stall #11, and I ended the night in 11th place. So maybe, on our way to Charlotte, at 11:11 pm, we'll stop at Georgia mile-marker 11, go to the 7-Eleven, and buy eleven lottery tickets. No, that might just be pushing our luck!

Please keep your fingers crossed! We'll be sure to let you know how the #90 Florida Online car makes out at the birthplace of Legends Car racing, Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Thanks so much --

--Trish Koger #90

To send a letter to Trish, email to koger@thunval.com

Check out the Distant Thunder archives for other articles by women drivers.