January 15, 2011

Hello everyone! I know I know it has been far too long since I have blogged. I am sorry. Life is busy and I have been a lazy blogger. But I do want to wish all of you a Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2011.

In October during their time off from racing, Paul took me to Cancun for a wonderful vacation. We went with our good friends Glen & Brandi. Glen is Jason Meyers crew chief and his girlfriend Brandi is one of my best friends. We had a great time with lots of laughs. While we were there, Kasey Kahne called Paul to let him know that KKR would be in charge of the #83 Dennis and Theresa Roth owned car and that Paul would be the driver. Wow what a sigh of relief that phone call gave us. It was truthfully a blessing that we did not expect. We enjoyed last year and loved being a part of KKR. That is one fantastic group of people. So the fact that we still get to be a part of KKR is a dream come true. Now not only does Paul get to be team mates with Joey again he now gets to be team mates with Cody Darrah instead of being Cody’s fill in. He also gets to keep all of his guys from the #91 car. Justin Adams, Matt Hummel and Rob Beatie are 3 guys that truly care about racing and winning and making sure my husband is safe each night. I adore all of them. Let me just say it made the end of the season so much easier knowing that Paul had a ride for 2011 and it’s a really good ride.
We have less than one month until the first race of the season in Florida. It has been a wonderful off season with Paul being home the entire time. He had shoulder surgery on Dec. 2 to repair a torn rotator cuff and the tendon was torn away from his bicep muscle. He started therapy right away and goes 3 times a week. He is doing really well and is ready to get back in the car and back to racing. He is more than ready trust me. :) I have enjoyed him being home and feeling somewhat like a normal family. I say “somewhat” because when I go to work in the morning Paul is still sound asleep not getting ready for a 8 to 5 job like a “normal” family does. Haha! I am so glad we aren’t your average normal family because although racing makes me nervous most nights, I really do love it and love the life we have led, the friends we have made and the fans we have met who have become friends.
Well, I do hope to see and talk to you at the races this year. Thanks for reading.

Jan

July 7, 2010

Life on the road so far has been pretty good. We have put almost 6 thousand more miles on Uncle Buck since leaving home June 2. It is crazy the way the WoO have us scheduled we went from Kansas to North Dakota. to Nebraska,  to Kansas to Illinois, to Wisconsin. Back and forth we have gone. I have a lot of catching up to do since my last blog, so get ready it’s long. Enjoy….

We’ve had crazy weather, seen crazy fans, rude fans and met some real nice and fun fans. Chris from Minnesota here’s your shout out! Lol….. Shannon Saldana and I have had lots of laughs even in the HOT t-shirt trailer. It is great to be team mates with your best friend. Speaking of team mates let me address the questions I get pretty much every night at the races.

Q “How’s Cody Darrah?”

A: “Cody is doing well and building his strength in his leg so he can return.” 

Q: “When will he be back?

A: “I’m not sure when he will be back, but trust me he can’t wait to get back at it”

Q: “how much longer will Paul be in the car”? 

A: “Paul will be in the car until Cody is ready to return”

Q: “Won’t Kasey keep Paul in the car since he is 6th in points and doing so well? “

A: “The ride is Cody’s when he can come back. Paul and I knew what he was signing up for when he accepted this fill in position.“ 

This is a very hard position to be in because of course I want Paul to be able to finish this season in the #91 car. He has done a great job, and I am proud of him. I appreciate every single thing that everyone at KKR has done to make us feel like part of the team, the fast cars they give him, the caring hard working crew he has, and a car owner that personally let’s Paul know he is doing a good job. BUT, I promise with every ounce of me that I want Cody to get better, and I want him to return to living his dream.  He is such a sweet and polite kid and I know he will have a successful career.  :)

My niece Ashlyn who is 20 flew into Chicago from California on July 12th. It’s always fun to drive into an airport in the motorhome. People look at you like you’ve lost your mind.  We were so excited to have with us for 10 days. She was going to be “Living the dream with us”.  On the 13th we stopped in Kalida, Ohio to see some long time friends of ours The Hamilton’s.  It was wonderful to see everyone that could stop by to see us at Jim and Betty’s. Thanks Big John for the pizza to :).Love you Jim and Betty, next time we promise to try to come for an overnight stay.

Well, Lima was so hot, and between Shannon and I we had 18 boxes of shirts delivered to the track. Plus Shannon had 10 boxes that had been delivered to Beaver Dam the Friday before that she had to put into the racing rig. The t-shirt trailer broke on our way to Wisconsin, so we didn’t have the trailer at our Wisconsin races. It gave Shannon and I two nights of and Kylie and Reece a chance to be in the pits during the races. They loved scraping mud. As for the trailer breaking It could have been a really bad situation for the Saldana’s and anyone on the interstate near them. But thank God and our road angels that it held on by a thread. Anyways, back to ALL the boxes of t-shirts.  With the help of the wonderful Gomez family (who drove from California with lots of regrouping stops along the way ha!), Ashlyn, and Paul we got all our stuff put away.  Ashlyn got to experience all the dust of Lima Land. Paul ran 5th at the Brad Doty Classic.

On our way to Eldora for the Kings Royal, we were driving along about 4 miles from the track Uncle Buck (Our Motor home) gets sick. It’s a Transmission problem, of some kind.  Are you kidding, Buck? You’ve been such a trooper all summer kind of like “The little Engine that could”!! Poor Buck, he is old. :( But he is part of the family, and holds lots of fun memories. Everyone knows Buck!!  So after Paul tried getting Buck to drive several times (in which Ashlyn and I got the giggles, wondering why he thought it would just suddenly kick into drive a go), he finally knew we had to be towed.  Chuck the tow truck guy shows up and tows us to Eldora. Ashlyn and I stayed in Buck while Paul rode with Chuck in the tow truck. Lol.  As we are being towed into the track Thursday evening, our true friends, Shannon Saldana, and the Gomez’s are out taking pictures of Buck being towed. Haha! Nice friends!! Love them, until they bring out the pictures (Just kidding). Always love them.

The Night before the Kings Royal, Paul finished a strong 3rd. At the Kings Royal, Paul was quick time. He was running in the top 6 when Joey’s wheel broke sending him crashing right in front of Paul, so with nowhere to go Paul had to spin to avoid hitting him. Poor Shannon was a wreck when Joey crashed. She threw her arms around my neck and held on for dear life until we were told he was ok. People just don’t realize what we go through as wives. That’s not only our lively hood, the father of our children, the love of our lives and our best friend out there. Thank God Joey was fine but unfortunately unable to restart. Paul went to rear of the field to 23rd or 22nd. He was amazing. Lap by lap he was passing cars. There were several yellows, and some reds, involving all my friends sitting around me husbands. With 3 to go, on a red, and Paul was up to 4th  I said “Shannon, I feel like maybe I shouldn’t be sitting here because so far everyone around us has either spun or crashed except us”. Shannon trying to be my optimistic friend said “Oh he is doing awesome don’t you move from where you have been sitting”. We are both kind of superstitious about certain things. Lol… On the white flag lap in turn 2 Paul was going to give Danny Lasoski and slide job and was not going to clear him, so he had to lift and turn right causing the air from the nose wing and the speed sucked him into the wall. That’s why I hate that they run so close to that darn thing. So, bam there he sits on the track against the turn two wall. They do not throw a yellow. I was pretty worried that someone may hit him, but fortunately no one did. My heart broke for him. He was by far the fastest car on the track. He is the King in my book! :).  Ashlyn loved seeing her Uncle Paul run so well. He kids were proud and heartbroken.He has been doing so well, I am so proud of him. It is great to watch him because he is having fun again.

Well, the kids and I are home for the summer now. School starts on the 5th for them and on the 10th for me. I plan to fly out Friday morning of the Naionals. If you are there come by the T-shirt trailer to say hi.

Until next time :)

Jan

June 7, 2010 

First I must apologize for not updating my blog for over a month! I can’t believe I did not even blog after Paul’s win @ Eldora on May 8, 2010. It was very exciting and I was very happy that I was there to see it. I have been so busy the last month with the end of school and getting life in order so we could travel with Paul for most of the summer. 

On May 26, 2010 racing lost a good friend, and an awesome racer. Someone who unfortunately did not know how big and well liked he really was. Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett will be remembered and missed by many for the rest of our lives.  I am still in shock over this and feel so bad for his wife, his parents, his family and his friends. Sometimes we question why things happen and although I know God has a plan and know things happen for a reason, it still doesn’t make sense sometimes. My heart hurts for his loved ones.  RIP Jesse.

We officially left home in Uncle Buck (the Motorhome) last Wednesday and drove to Knoxville, Iowa. We had 3 nights of racing but only got 2 in due to Mother Nature forgetting her happy pills, and she bawled Saturday evening hard enough to put a huge damper on the racing for the night. So far Shannon and I have sat in the T-shirt trailer and watched it rain quite a bit. But, we have lots of laughs no matter what.

We are now in Lincoln Nebraska at our friend’s house, Jeff and Heidi Hergott. Racing has brought a lot of friends into our lives over the years and this family is one of them.  No matter how hard this life gets at times, its friends like these that make it all worth it. There has been times that I wished we just had a normal life, but really if we did we wouldn’t have such wonderful friends and we would not have done or gone to as many places as this life has lead us. I do truly feel blessed in life.  This weekend we head to Dodge City Kansas for 2 days of racing. Hopefully, Paul will have a good safe weekend.  But until then we plan to enjoy our time in Lincoln Nebraska by going to a minor league baseball game here in Lincoln, with the guys from the #9 crew and the #91 crew and our friends on Tuesday night. It should be fun with lots of laughs.  Having fun and making memories.

Life’s good on the road.

Until next time :)

May 4,2010

In the crazyiness of the floods here in Tennessee, I am late getting this written.  We personally were not affected with any of our property being damaged.  The kids and I were at home this past weekend when the rain began. Friday night our weather radio kept going off throughout the night but it was nothing serious. Saturday night I listened to the race online and once again the weather radio kept going off. Man was I ever tired on Sunday.  The rain was basically nonstop since Friday, but never did I think that things would get so bad. I would talk to Paul on the phone and I would tell him that it was storming but little did I know that our beautiful city was getting ready to face such a heartbreaking time, a natural disaster. L This city is amazing and I have been in awe watching the news and seeing the people pull together and help one another and to lend helping hands and support to those personally affected by these floods. We have volunteered ourselves and are waiting to be contacted as to what we can do to help. I work for the school district that was mainly in the flood areas, so we have been unable to go to school/work and I am not sure when we will be able to return.  I am also unsure how we will make up these days. I may be working well into the summer.  But most importantly, I am worried about my kids at school and wondering if any of them have faced any damage or loss during this time. I can’t wait to return to school so I can hug each of them.  I ask that each of you pray for Nashville now and in the months to come because we have a long road ahead of us.

Now onto racing, Paul had another great finish in the Great Clips # 91 finishing 4th. He had a solid 3rd with a few laps to go but the side panel on the top wing broke. I am just thankful that he was able to hold onto a top 5 finish.  I really feel like luck is finally on his side.  Those of you who know us well and know all about Paul’s career know, luck has always run 100 mph away from Paul.  Our friend Steve “Scuba” Swenson has always chuckled about the bad luck Paul has. He isn’t being mean, he just says he has never seen anyone with such rotten luck. Lol.  I really do feel as if we are being blessed right now.  It is also so nice to have Kasey care so much about his teams. He has been great about calling or texting Paul to tell him that he is doing a good job. It is always nice to be acknowledged when you are doing a good job at anything. 

I wanted to say that I am so extremely happy for my best friend Shannon Saldana. She is expecting their second child. This is truly an answered prayer.  Congratulations, Joey, Shannon and Reece.  Reece is going to be a great big brother.

This weekend we are off to Eldora. Paul loves this place. It makes me physically ill. I will be alone Friday night in the T-shirt trailer so stop by to give me your support. Haha! Shannon will be there Saturday night Thank God!  I always look forward to our times together. Lots of laughs.

Happy Mother’s day to all of you Moms, especially my Mom Jean and my Mother in law Carol. Without the two of you, Paul and I would not be who we are today. And darn it I think we are pretty good people. J At least we try to be.

Until next time take care and God bless.

April 19,2010

Friday afternoon I got off of work and my friend Brandi and I met her friends Deborah and Jason and we all rode together in Brandi’s car up to Paducah, Kentucky for the World of Outlaw race. We had lots of laughs and lots of different discussions about history and geography and even about Donkeys (they really do say HeeHaw! Deborah and Jason have one)It’s amazing what things we seem to forget that we learned in class as kids. I have always said “I must have been talking during that lesson”, but since our children are getting older I can’t use that excuse with them. So instead I get this dumb expression on my face and they decide I am not the best person to ask! Thank God they are both smart kids and don’t depend on my answers much. LOL!  I do have to say after spending 14 years traveling up and down the U.S. I am pretty darn good with Geography, and I can read a map better than most. But now maps are not the thing to use because everyone pretty much has some sort of navigation device. Oh well, I can use a map if it is ever needed. J

Once arriving to Paducah, it was time to go to work in the T-shirt trailer. My mother in law Carol, Brayden, and Kylie all worked until I got there. Thanks guys! Also thank you Brandi for the ride to Kentucky and getting us there before any action happened out on the track.  Although being in the trailer I only watch the races Paul is in. So I couldn’t tell you much about the action on the track.

After the races Friday night we drove to Mt. Vernon, IL to stay. Paul had made our reservation with choicehotels.com. Let’s just say after this hotel I have taught him the importance of reading other people reviews about a place before booking a two night stay. Lol.. J

Saturday we drove to Pevely, Missouri for our next race. I was so excited because Shannon and Reece Saldana came. I love my time with them. Reece is a little business man. He is quite the little artist and sells his artwork at the races. He will also sell you candy. His prices are steep but he is such a cute 6 year old that it is hard to say no. He also makes you pay him a dollar if you say a bad word like “crap” or “butt”. Imagine what kind of money he could make in the pit area! Haha.  The kid could fund his new quarter midget career with that. I do hope he doesn’t like racing once he gets started. I know Joey will love it and I’m sure Reece will be like his Grandpa Joe and his daddy Joey and be one awesome driver.  Poor Shannon! L  I am amazed with Joey and his determination and drive to race from 13th starting to win Saturday night. He was in a lot of pain when the race was over, but he didn’t let the pain affect his awesome skill out on the track. Great job, to Joey and the #9 KKR Budweiser team.

This Weekend’s racing was not the best thus far for Paul in the KKR #91 Great Clips car. Friday night he finished 14th and Saturday night he ended up 21st after crashing into Shane Stewart when he had nowhere to go when Shane flipped.  I am glad Shane was ok.  Paul was pretty down, because he has been finishing so well, but he is also one to get over things fast and knows that they will all go to this Saturday’s race and give 110 %. He just keeps saying that he is so thankful to have a team that believes in him and will work with him and they want to win. They show up to win, not to just collect their pay checks. So YES, we are still counting our blessings and are still thankful for Paul being able to fill in for Cody while he is recovering.  Paul is enjoying his time with Cody and all the guys from each team. He says they all crack him up and they are serious about their jobs but have lots of laughs in their down time at the races. It’s great that my husband can enjoy what he loves to do and make money while doing it.

Well, until next week…………….. C-Ya!!

April 5, 2010

Welcome to my very first blog. I am copying this idea of giving the fans my opinion on the racing and our life in general from my wonderful friend Shannon Saldana. She entertains many fans with her blogs. And I personally love reading them. I believe my friend Shannon has as many fans as Joey. She is defiantly a sweet and genuine person. A person that has been my rock in all these years of racing.

Well, let me talk about the day Kasey called to offer Paul the position of filling in for the injured Cody Darrah. Paul text me and said “Kasey called, and asked if I would fill in for Cody?” I think my heart fell to my stomach and then up to my throat.  I was so excited and happy for Paul to be getting this opportunity not to mention the fact the he was going to be team mates with my best friend’s husband, but I also had my reservations. I felt this way for two reasons, 1.) I was worried about what Paul will do when Cody is ready to come back.  2.) I hated that our blessing was because a sweet talented kid like Cody had gotten hurt. My heart ached for Cody, the minute I found out about his accident.  But, knowing that my husband deserves this chance and knowing that KKR has good equipment and a team that wants to win races and an owner that loves this sport and genuinely cares about his teams, I had to be the strong and supportive wife that I try to be. It was not long that any reservations I had were thrown out and the excitement set in.

The kids (Brayden 15, Kylie 11) and I get out of school at the end of May and we will be hitting the road for most of the summer in our motorhome that we bought when Paul first went outlaw racing in 1996. Yes, it is old. Yes, it is nowhere near as pretty as most, but we decided a long time ago that we would not buy another one, because they just aren’t worth it. We only use it 3 months out of the year. I’ve always said all that really matters is that it gets us there (and trust me some times it barely has over the years, even when it was brand new.) and we have a whole lot of love and laughter in that thing. Our friend Steven from California named it Uncle Buck a few years back, and now it is called “Buck” by most out on the WoO tour. Mandy and Daryn Pitman have even said they miss Buck! Lol… So pray for us that good ole Buck is ready to motor up and down the road again this summer and we get to each race with no problems from Buck. Brayden feels we need Uncle Buck shirts like Workin Woody has shirts. Haha!

I want to thank all of you for checking out the website and reading my blog. I plan to try to do a weekly blog. So, if you want to read about my “take” on things, check back often.

Bye for now.

Jan