10/17/2010
Chris Coker
Zero to Hero and Back Again...
Zero to Hero and Back Again... This is a syndrome chronic to race car drivers and teams and we are no exception. Saturday at the Cowtown Nationals we had a bad draw for the ages. Started last in a stacked heat race, and went from 9th to 7th. Then started fourth in a B main with and Outlaw driver (Tony Bruce), last years point champ (Kevin Ramey), and this years point leader (Eric Baldaccini). For twelve laps I traded slide jobs, blocks, and wheel to wheel racing with three of the best there is and came up just short of the top two transfer spot. People are still telling how impressed they were with our performance that night. But...
Regardless of what we think we learn, or how much it appears that we have progressed, it never takes long for the harsh realization to set in that we are by far the most unexperienced team on the track. It takes multiple years in this sport before ANYONE can honestly say they firmly understand what it is they're doing. This is what sank in after two very difficult days at the Winter Nationals this weekend.
It took me two years from the day I began golfing to the day I shot par for the first time from the tips. Two years of studying, self taught lessons, and thousands of hours rebuilding every technical aspect of my game again and again. As the end of my first full year in a sprint car grows closer, I only know one thing for sure: Sprint cars, cannot be self taught if you want to be successful. Other drivers and crew chiefs tell us we are doing well given our experience and background but I am my own worst critic and I refuse to be mediocre.
Thus far I have depended on the determination that lead me to success in golf, to do the same in racing, but honestly determination is not enough on its own. I feel it's time to change strategies, and find a teacher. Unlike the 18 yr old rookies with nothing but time and money, I have little of either, and it's time we make the most of what we do have. I will post more on this subject as we began preparing for next year.
We will be racing in the November Sprint Shootout at Cowtown Speedway on Nov. 12-13 for our final outing this season.
- Chris
Submitted By: Admin Account