On the way to Phoenix we stopped in Tucson for a short tune up. In the past we have found that testing in Tucson was usually rewarding before the Phoenix race. Once in Phoenix we put in our good race motor which Larry Morgan had to repair after Pomona. Friday then we tuned up the Kendall Oil Dodge Stratus but before we were able to run, the rains came and the day’s activities were cancelled.

Saturday’s weather was much better. The first qualifying shot we recorded an 8^th best for the session run. Phoenix is one of those tracks that there is a lot of difference in the lanes and on the second run we got the bad lane. Coupled with the lane difference and a wrong turn in the tune up department we slipped to the 10^th spot. Loosing lane choice at a notorious one lane track was not the position that we wanted to be in but we knew that this new Lazarus race car was quick on the tree so we had to hope it would pull us thru on Sunday.

Sunday morning and the temperatures are much cooler but we prepare our Kendall Oil Dodge Stratus for battle by putting in a fresh batch of Kendall oil. Our first opponent would be one of the best leavers in the business, Greg Stanfield. Greg, a former multiple world champ in Super Stock, is running quite well so far this year, but we treed him and never looked back for the win. Next we had the fastest guy in Pro Stock, Greg Anderson. Greg, also a multiple world champion, was also bitten by the new car as the Kendall Oil Dodge Stratus streaked to another round win. This is the first time in many years that we have beaten Greg and it was fun. Next, it was the current world champion, Jeg Coughlin. Once again the Kendall car was first off the line and even though we only won then by 13 thousands of a second, it still counts as a win.

In the finals we would race Jason Line, another past world champion. Jason struggled last year on his starting line lights, but this year he seams to have found his handle again. However, the Kendal car once again got the jump off the starting line and never looked back and we got the much over due win. The crew really worked hard to get us here and we look forward to more wins in this 2008 season as we have a car that will leave first every time to get that win. We didn’t have the fastest car this weekend, but we left first every time. A couple of weeks off and it’s on to Gainesville for the Gator Nationals, be sure to tune in.