Roughly one year ago, over the Labor Day weekend in 2015, my life changed in many ways. I was, of course, at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, working for Team Wilkerson and doing my best to keep the PR standards high while I also interacted with our sponsors and guests in my ongoing attempt to keep everyone happy and engaged. It was my seventh U.S. Nationals with Tim and the team, after 12 consecutive years with Del Worsham. Counting some earlier forays with various teams I did contract work for, it was my 23rd U.S. Nationals overall.

Somewhat unbelievably, today is September 1. Where on Earth did the summer go? Is it really time for the U.S. Nationals? Is that slight ache in the pit of my stomach a reaction to seeing school buses on the streets? Will it snow tomorrow? Can the “Infield Fly Rule” be applied if the pop-up drifts foul?

Happy Thursday Blog Day, everyone. I’m back from Brainerd and still kind of glowing about it. It was my fourth visit to a race this year, which lends further credence to the Facebook post my former colleague Lachelle Seymour wrote, which stated, “You’re failing at being retired from drag racing.” Considering I’ve visited four tracks so far and plan to be at three more before the season is over, means I’ll be at a little less than 1/3 of the races this year. And let’s remember I didn’t travel to all the races last year. I went to 15 races in 2015, and I’ll be at seven this year. Lachelle is right.

Welcome to Brainerd week! I’ll be heading up there early on Saturday morning and coming back on Sunday night, and I’m really looking forward to it just like every time I’ve ever gone to Brainerd. It’s a great place, it’s totally unique on the NHRA Mello Yello tour, and it’s just plain fun.