Back in the pits, I cornered Boone, our trans whisperer, and told him what was going on.
"Have you checked the fluid today?"
"No", I popped the hood, "Dang it, I left the air cleaner on, no wonder it only went 119!"
He pulled the stick as I started removing the breather, "This stick is bone dry, did you bring any fluid?"
I handed him a quart, then we fired it up and checked it, then a second quart, then a third, and finally he was happy.


At 1:53 Rachael made another run, 12.135-110.27, and I went up at 2:00 on the nose and promptly left in second gear and ran 12.54 at 77mph! I was completely disgusted.

"Well that's it, I'll just turn in the 11.28".
"They extended it until 2:15", Dale explained, "You have time for another run."
"Nope, I'm done, that's it for today", I threw up my hands.
"I'll run you in the Barnyard", Boone offered.
"Want someone to show you the way to the tens?" I smiled.
"Sure, you've got a .28 today, I've got a .40, maybe the old truck has something for you!"
"OK then, lets do it!"

Dale, Darren, James, and Rachael were loading up in the Belvedere.
"Where are you guys going", I questioned.
"Got two empty bottles to drop off at Monte's trailer, then we will go to the tower and turn in our slips."

I followed Boone to the lanes, and noticed Larry was prepping the S-10 for a last attempt. "Well, they didn't extend this session just for me", was the first thought through my head.