Watkins Glen Race Day

My friend Kenny is a life-long motor sports enthusiast who has progressed through semi-pro driving and on into race management. At Watkins Glen this weekend, Ken worked with Dempsey Racing to support Miller Racing's Ford Mustang 302R in the "Continental Tire 150 at The Glen" which is part of the "Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge." If that all sounds confusing, don't worry. I've been around him and the sport many times before, and it still confuses the heck out of me about who's who and what's what.

In simpler terms, Kenny wears a lot of hats at races like this. Before the race, he assists the drivers and mechanics in their preparation, does a lot of fan and media interfacing and manages some of the data collection and analysis.



During the race, he perches himself at the highest observation point possible to act as "spotter" for the team's drivers, informing them of any problems or dangers on the course, alerting them potential threats from overtaking competitors, and pointing out opportunities against vulnerable opponents. According to everyone, he's really, really good at it.



I mostly wandered around and stayed out of the way, but I also got the requisite photos of myself with the car on the starting grid and with the slightly better known (and just slightly better looking!) owner of Dempsey Racing. Coming soon to a theater near you: "Macgellan and McDreamy"… Not!



Although the race started well for the team, a busted left front shock tore up the suspension and damaged a wheel, so the car didn't finish the race. Not only is racing an extremely expensive sport, it can be very, very frustrating! All in all though, Kenny and I had a great race weekend together… Yet another in our lifelong history of good times!