Editor’s notice: Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing, is writing a , giving a peek into the NASCAR life throughout Speedweek. That is Saturday’s entry.
In my , I mentioned that I wished Saturday to be a run-of-the-mill form of day and, primarily, it was. We wanted to see the place we have been with our rebuilt racecar, and we did that … for essentially the most half.
We ran 12 laps in closing observe — essentially the most of anybody — however none got here within the draft. So, we be ok with the pace in our No. 51 Jacob Building/Elements Plus/Pronto Auto Service Heart Ford Mustang Darkish Horse, however having the ability to know the way it will’ve carried out within the draft is one thing that will’ve made us relaxation a bit simpler.
Nonetheless, our automotive did draft nicely in earlier than we acquired wrecked coming to the end. However after placing all new entrance bodywork on it, together with a brand new rear bumper, we wished to know the place we stood aerodynamically.
That being mentioned, an infinite quantity of effort was put into making our automotive race prepared. Credit score to the crew at Rick Ware Racing for making it really feel like new once more. It was no small feat, as all of the work occurred right here in our storage stall at Daytona. The consolation of our race store the place all of the components and items are available, and the instruments and the setup plate are all proper there, would’ve made this rebuild rather a lot simpler. However that’s not actuality. Our race store is 500 miles north of Daytona — a strong seven-hour automotive journey one method to North Carolina. There wasn’t time to make that journey. The whole lot that wanted to be finished, wanted to be finished right here in Daytona.
Our guys hunkered down and did an outstanding job. We had no main points. We rolled out of our storage stall and turned a bunch of laps. We’ve acquired good motive to carry our heads excessive and, now, it’s only a matter of wiping away all that adversity and specializing in the current.
You possibly can name the evening earlier than the a faculty evening, no less than it’s for me. It’s about getting an excellent evening’s sleep and caring for myself so I can ship for 500 miles on Sunday. Saturday’s been about staying hydrated, consuming nicely and simply clearing my head to be proper for the race. With 40 different vehicles on this 12 months’s , you’ve acquired be in your recreation bodily and mentally. Getting your physique proper is simply as vital as getting your automotive proper.
This has not been a straightforward Daytona Speedweek. It’s positively examined us. However I’d prefer to assume the struggles we’ve confronted this week have made us stronger, the place all of it culminates with an excellent day on Sunday when it issues most.
