Koger Race Report

Sunshine Speedway

by Trish Koger

"How 'bout that cheering section!" Rick Koger was quoted as saying after the conclusion of the September 6th Legends Cars of Florida feature race at Sunshine Speedway.

The Florida Online / TK Racing team headed to Clearwater, Florida, for the second half of the weekend's double-header. Sunshine Speedway is a favorite track for many of the drivers. I will always be fond of it because of my "firsts" there: my first Legends race (June 1996), my first wreck at the checkered flag of my first race (June 1996), and my first win and trophy for a last chance qualifying race (January 1997).

Despite the heavy attrition levels at the Orlando race, we still had 25 cars show up at Sunshine. Fortunately, the racing program would allow for the traditional two heat races prior to the feature race. Therefore, the number draw was not quite as critical... but, of course, a good number never hurts! Ouch. A bad number, however, does.

You're not going to believe it, but I actually drew the #38 for the second night in a row. I was tempted to hop a plane to Vegas and play the roulette wheel. Yea right -- I'd put my stack of chips on the black #38, the wheel would spin, the ball would drop -- dinka, dinka, dinka, boink -- into red #1! THAT would be the time that the elusive #1 would appear!

The #38 draw put me in 12th position for the 13-car first heat race. The race was quite subdued compared to the demolition derby of the previous night. I managed to pass four cars during the eight laps to earn a 16th place starting position for the feature race.

Speaking of the demolition derby, I am happy to report that Eddie Lepine was fine and showed up at Sunshine. He was the driver who's Legends Car had gone where no other Legends Car had gone before at Orlando Speed World -- nose down and rear bumper up while skidding along the outside retaining wall. He borrowed an extra car for the night, ran some laps of the feature, and earned those valuable Semi-Pro Division points.

Far from a demolition derby, Saturday night's event ventured almost too close to the other end of the spectrum. Sure, we still had our share of beatin' and bangin', spinning cars, and occasional tangles. However, in this case, the flag man only waved the caution ONCE for the entire 20 laps.

The track officials had warned us during the drivers' meeting that they didn't like to bring out the yellow flag, and they weren't kidding. At times, there were cars stalled precariously close to the line of traffic, either up near the wall or just down off the inside shoulder of the track. The one caution resulted when two cars spun, completely blocking the frontstretch just next to the start/finish line. If we return to Sunshine, I will definitely voice my concerns over the lack of flagstand actions.

As far as my part in the race, I wrestled with rear brake problems due to overheating brake fluid. The total of my passes wound up equaling the total of my being passed... so I walked away in one piece with a 16th place finish. (Unfortunately, it doesn't make for award-winning race reports!)

For this race, I would especially like to thank my all-female support up in turn four. Two of my competitors, Andy (#10) and David (#06) Logan, are blessed with a large, wonderful family of race fans. Their father, Murray, is the mastermind in the pits -- but the rest of the gang (all women) take to the stands for the races and provide one fantastic and loud cheering section. I had the pleasure of getting to know them better later that evening... and I feel privileged to have them rooting for me!

Thanks for all your support!

--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.