What a weekend.
We showed up with a plan and executed. I qualified 28th in a 40-plus-driver field, fought through five higher-seeded battles, finished second, and left Catch My Drift Round 3 with the points lead.
Off-Grid Motorsports Park · Gresham, South Carolina
Friday practice went pretty well.
We got the S14’s chassis setup, gearing, and tires dialed in. I did go off track on my first run. The steep embankment at the crown caught my exhaust and cracked it, but we got it welded back up and ready to go.
Saturday started with a hiccup.
I had an over-rotation at the end of my first qualifying run. I was extremely deep in the zone, got into the marbles, and the car kicked out instantly. On the second run, I conservatively hammered down to get into the show.
The top 24 drivers locked in on the first run. Everyone in the lower half had to fight for the final eight spots on run two. I landed 28th and secured our spot in a field of more than 40 drivers.
At first, landing 28th looked like a setback. It ended up being a blessing in disguise. Starting from the lower side of the bracket meant every matchup was against a higher qualifier, including drivers ahead of me in the championship. It gave us the chance to keep earning points while stopping those drivers from advancing. That lower qualifying spot helped open the path that eventually put us at the top of the standings.
From 28th qualifier to the final.
With our qualifying spot locked in, I had an uphill battle against every higher-seeded driver:
Top 32: Colin Francis, white S13
Top 16: Joe Busam, red 350Z and first in points coming into the weekend
Top 8: Nicholas Abbott, red 350Z and third in points
Top 4: Drake Burris, purple E46
Final: Tony Shenderov, white E46
I finished second. Knocking out the drivers who came into the weekend first and third in points helped me secure the championship points lead going into the final round.
Two teammates on the podium.
My teammate Justin Bauer finished third in his Mustang. He is sitting fourth overall in Unlimited points, and Ivan Klimovich is eighth overall. Ivan is driving my S197 in this year’s Unlimited series.
Sunday was a new challenge.
I switched over to the S197 Mustang for the CMD Street competition. It is geared more toward a fun competition, and they keep everything moving quickly with no protests. I qualified fifth and finished in the Top 8.
Now we are back to the shop to get ready for the next one.
The S14 heads to Holley LS Fest East.
Follow JNR through the downtown cruise, qualifying, competition, and Sunday fun day.