The first thing I want to do is apologize for the delay in writing since the season started. I was hoping to do my normal first-quarter recap after we got a dozen or so races in. The only thing I can say is…Mother Nature has been kicking our tails just about everywhere. 
Some of the weather is unusual and some of it is scheduling. My philosophy is not to worry about things out of your control. Instead of getting an in-depth look at my first 20 nights driving for Tony Stewart Racing, I figured you could learn more about me by hearing about what I’ve been doing of late.
On April 25, we were waiting on word from the Outlaws whether or not our race would be on. We were supposed to have back-to-back races in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Knoxville. Sioux Falls was out already and when we got word from Knoxville that it was canceling too, we moved to plan B.
Plan B was getting some seat time somewhere since we had only two nights of racing since March 1. It worked out that the All Stars were at Eldora Speedway, so the TSR team decided to head over there.
Mother Nature once again reminded me who is in charge by dumping seven inches of snow on us late April 25-26. My dad and I were able to make enough of a path at the airport with our trucks to get the airplane out of the hangar and to the runway. Once we got off the ground everything was fine and we arrived at the track a few minutes before the driver’s meeting.
The evening itself was rather uneventful as we used it as a glorified test session. Don’t get me wrong, we were there to win and were not happy with a third-place finish, but it may have helped us get pointed back in the right direction. 
Sundays for me usually include watching the NASCAR race and NHRA event on TV. Thanks to a last-minute wild goose chase, I only got to see the final laps of the April 27 Cup race and was hoping the boss could pull it out. Unfortunately he got hung up in a typical Talladega crash. 
I’ve been a big fan of the NHRA since I got to stand at the starting line in Las Vegas a few years ago.  The event was high drama and seeing Ashley Force beat her dad to get her first win was pretty cool.
My Mondays are usually about spending time in the office getting paperwork for the week taken care of. The weather got better and most of the snow melted, so I spent the late afternoon (April 28) cleaning up some of the timber in my backyard.
It was a good distraction before being a guest on Tony Stewart Live with Tony and Matt Yocum. After talking about racing and sponsors a little, they grilled me pretty good on some funny inside information that they had received about me.
One of the things they got me on was my idea of exercising my dogs by taking them for a walk. I told them I have a regular workout regiment, but I’m not sure they believed me.  The person that provided them with the inside information got to know that first hand at the gym on April 29.
I know by looking most of you can’t tell that I do have a regular schedule of four days at the gym. My trainer does a great job of working on stamina, endurance and fitness. With all the rainouts we’ve had, time in the gym has been helpful.
On Wednesday (April 30), I spent the day promoting seat belt safety in the community and had the chance to talk with a variety of people about how important buckling up is.
By Friday morning (May 2), it was time once again to get ready for two nights of racing. Before noon we got word that Cameron, Mo., was canceled.
Fortunately on Saturday (May 3), the sun was shining and all systems were go for a race at Knoxville. I was like a kid at a candy store once we got to the track. Being in the pit area with the guys and focused on racing again, that was a good feeling.
We had a great night. One that I needed. One the team needed. Any time you get to pass “the King” for the win, it’s pretty special.