The week before Memorial Day Weekend is a busy time for us all as we get ready for summer. For race teams like Andy Seuss’, not only are they getting a race car ready for a weekend of racing but they were also busy at the family business, Rockingham Boat, helping to get customers ready to enjoy their first weekend on the water.
Even still, the team found themselves racing at Thunder Road Speedbowl (VT) in the True Value Modified Racing Series over the holiday weekend.
“My team worked so hard all week and to get here was quite the task. This week was a tough week in the boat business,” said Seuss.
The Seuss team made the three-hour trek to Thunder Road after delivering one last boat and tightening just one last car bolt. The car was tuned in for racing on Sunday.
Seuss started the 100-lap race in fifth spot and had worked his way up to third when the car started to loosen.
“We had a real good car early on,” said Seuss. “The first time that we got a real good run on it the car got really free.”
By lap 53, the #70 car had loosened so much that it turned a little sideways as cars backed up on the track. Seuss headed the car into the pits as the caution came out.
“We went into the pit a few times and gave up third place,” said Seuss. “We came in to get the car better. And after a few pit stops, I really think that we were better.”
When the team felt comfortable with the car, Seuss returned to racing starting from the back of pack to charge his way back to the front. “We passed cars back up to seventh.”
A late race caution was not what the team needed when the #70 car was hit from behind and lost its momentum.
”I don’t know what happened with the #22 car (David Pinkham). A caution was out for a half of a lap and he just rolled up on to the back of me,” said Seuss. “After that restart the car was never the same the rear end was moving around about an inch and a half back and forth. We were just getting tight and then loose.”
The team did not give with the new challenge.
“It was good nobody gave up. Everybody tried hard,” said Seuss. “We just stayed out there to get a good finish. Sometimes luck is just not on your side.”
Having a good team sometimes is not enough though when you are racing at Thunder Road.
“The track is very, very tricky. Similar to what I heard about it but I did not think it was going to be as slick as it was. So that hurt us a little bit.”
Seuss though is ready to return though to give the track another try.
“I would like to redeem myself after today. Now that we have one long run under our belt I think that we can come back to compete for the win next time.
“It was a great experience, a great facility. I wish that we came here more during the year just because it is a great venue.”
