Shoemaker Motor Sports
Sunday August 11, 2002
LVMS
Brock & Brett finish 1 - 2 in second heat race !!

We came close but never had a 1 - 2 punch. Sunday was a good day as tempers and temperatures eased somewhat. In the first heat Brock starting on the inside of row one led all 10 laps as Brett starting 6th in the 9 kart field came in 4th. The second heat race was full of action as Brett started inside row 1 and Brock inside of row 3. I wish we had replay because I am note sure what happened next, But somehow Brock got to first as the 16 kart spun off turn 7 and Brett was running a strong second, Casey Moore in the 2m was 3rd. That's when things got wild!! On the next lap going down the back stretch the pack was to tight the #16 tried to go 3 wide (not a good idea) the next thing we saw the 16 & 67 kart went straight off the track and both drivers ended up under the fence. With the red flag frantically flying and rescue crews running everyone held their breath as the #67 driver was pinned down in his kart by the wire. Fortunately his safety gear saved him from injury. The #16 kart driver was also ok but his kart did suffer significant damage to the front end. Neither kart was able to return to the race. When the green flag finally waved Brock took off and only looked back long enough to see his little brother Brett hold of a 1lap challenge from the 2m. As the crew held its breath Brett did a great job and was pulling away as the checkered flag waved for a SMS 1-2 finish. The first thing Brock said after the race "Brett got 2nd"!!! With the SMS crew in supper spirits we did not even realize it but that set up an all SMS front row for the feature. It did not take long for the #16 kart to get by Brett, as Brock checked out on the field. An unexpected charge late in the race by the #J14 put Brett in 4rth place but staying close to 3rd. As a rookie driver came off the track into the pits and unexpectedly returned to the race things started to get ugly, Brett dove low and made a textbook pass on the J14 as he got held up by the now black flagged rookie #10. It was however all for not as the yellow flag came out after the #24 kart also tangled with the #10 and ended up in the fence. This put Brett back to 4rth and bunched the field for a restart. Brocks 20 kart lead was gone and Brett's smooth pass was for not. Fortunately Brock got a good restart and Brett was able to hang on to 4th. Brock crossed the line to take yet another feature victory and Brett hung in for 4rth. A somewhat dejected Brett even with a strong showing in his 4rth place finish was all smiles as the total points for the day were announced. Brett & the 00 took home the 3rd place trophy. Brett showed some real improvement this week and the crew seems to be finally getting the 00 to handle in the feature event. This was one of Brett's best finish all year and a hard fought effort considering the 9 car field had 8 karts still running at the end. The points will most likely be posted by Tuesday and we hope to see Brock around 200 behind the #16 kart in 2nd and Brett in 3rd by a good 500 over 4th place Casey Moore. The crew chief takes off next weekend for a Winston Cup race on what was to be a weekend off for the SMS team. Do to the tight points battle Grandpa Ed and Sue will be pitting the boys for Sunday's action as the second qualifying race of the year is held. With a fresh motor and some luck I hope Brock can best his LVMS rookie purple lap record.