Racing Recap of events from 06.11.10 to 07.05.11...

 

Bob has the hammer down as he sets up going through the turns at

New Egypt Speedway. Photo by Tyrone © 2011

 

July 15th, 2011:  It's been a little while since we have posted some results about Lineman Racing. First off, when you have a racing team you must realize that takes a lot of time, I know, I have been there, putting in 50 hours a week in the shop is nothing, and then there is the time you spend going to the track, and being at the track, and coming home, just so you can do it all over again. You must also realize, Bob Lineman Jr. is a young man who is married, and has three very young children, and from one parent to another, and knowing all to well when you have a family, well, family comes before anything, period. Bob and his wife Erin are two of the nicest people you ever wanted to meet, and they are devoted to their children, which in this day and age is a great thing to see. This is something I think should be shared with fans, sometimes we all show up at a track and think these drivers have nothing else to do but work on a racecar. Racecar drivers, pit crew members, spouses, family, etc., are some of the hardest working people I know, and the next time you talk to any of them, take the time and thank them for busting their humps, and spending their hard earned money to come out and put on a evening of racing entertainment for you, and your family.

 

Now, let's give you a basic time line and run down of what we missed. Picking up on June 11th at New Egypt Speedway, Bob took to the track and qualified 5th in his heat which sent him right into the feature event. Starting from deep in the pack, in the 17th position Lineman was making progress with his 2011 Troyer Chassis, powered with a potent  engine built by Jerry Glenn from Medford Speed and Machine. Bob worked the USA-1, Cenco Heating Oil sponsored ride into the 13th spot when he got caught up in accident that happened in front of him. A quick trip to the pits for repairs and Lineman was back onto the track and at the tail end of the pack. After several more green flag laps, and battling a track that was getting hard and slick, one of Lineman's fellow competitors clipped Bob's rear bumper which sent him for a spin. With the race almost over, and knowing he did all that he could, and that the points would not be affected, Lineman pulled the car into the pits for the night. One special note of good fortune for the night happened when good friend, and long time crew member Tom Mawson got to sit behind the wheel of the USA-1 and race it in a special event held just for mechanics. Bob did a great job, as he brought the Cenco Heating Oil ride across the finish line in 3rd. Bob Sr., Bob Jr., and the rest of Team Lineman thought this was a great way of saying thanks to all the hard work that Bob does at the track. See what I mean about hard work, and Bob Mawson earned a ride for a night, that is really cool of the Lineman Family.

 

Moving on to June 25th, the team pulled back into New Egypt Speedway and had their minds on having a good night of racing. Starting in the 5th spot in his qualifying heat, Bob stomped on the throttle and did some awesome racing on a wet and heavy track. When the checkered flew Bob was only a tick off of the leader, but was more then happy to finish in a 2nd place, once again paving the way for a starting spot in the feature. The crew made some changes to the car, as the night went on and the track changed a lot. In 2011, the new Troyer chassis has been working like a train on a greased rail at New Egypt, and from the start of the season the Lineman racing crew has seemed to find just what Bob is looking for in order for him to go forward, which is a lot harder then most of us think. More often then not you can be fast in a heat, and look like a clown in the feature, or the other way around, it's almost impossible to look good in a heat, and look just as good in the feature. The track, the air temp, the wind, the humidity, you name it, it all must be taken into account. Like I said, it's a lot harder then you think, another case and point of how hard these drivers and crew members work. Lineman started 5th in the feature and with the track being very hard and slick it was a struggle to move. Bob wasn't going backwards though, which was a good sign. With about 6 laps left in the event Lineman who conserved his tires began making his move. When the checkered waved, Bob used those 6 laps and his knowledge of leaving enough rubber on the right rear to power his way into 3rd, for another top 3 finish in 2011. This capped off another impressive 2011 outing at New Egypt.

 

July 5th saw the whole family making the long haul up to the 5 Mile Point Speedway. The track was hosting one of the 2011 ROC, "Race of Champions" tour dates. This is a series that Lineman racing has been a part of for several seasons now, with Bob making out fairly well at various different speedways which the tour stops at. With a huge field of cars, Bob knew he had to qualify in his heat race, at 5 mile point the track conditions can go south very fast, it's just a whole different surface then what the team is used to when they race at New Egypt. Bob powered the Cenco Heating Oil, USA-1, Troyer mount to a solid 5th place finish run, which put him in the ROC feature field. Lineman had to start 16th in the field and knew it would be a tough fight to come through the pack. "The crew made good changes, and the car was hooked up, actually just a little to good", Lineman told us after the event. "I didn't have enough gear in the car and I just couldn't get it going forward", Bob continued. With Lineman suffering from getting caught in a few accidents, he felt it was a safer choice to pull the car off then chance suffering any major damage to the chassis.

 

The team is heading back to New Egypt this Saturday night, followed by another return to New Egypt on July 24th for another in the series of races in the "Big Kahuna" series. On July 26th the team will be making the trip to Big Diamond Speedway for a make up ROC event which was rained out back in June. Plans are in place to race at Grandview Speedway on August the 3rd, which will be hosting a Thunder On The Hill night of feature racing. Check back on the website for an update on how Lineman racing made out on July 16th at New Egypt Speedway.