Hey guys!
As we were preparing for the Mint 400 we had many challenges to overcome. The nice thing is, not only did we have the help of Can-Am through Jeff Leclerc ,for parts and credits, but we also had the help of Dan Fisher and Lone Star Racing. Between both, I knew we had a winning combo.

They built us a one-of-a-kind, mean, rolling chassis. This car is unique in many ways. It was really neat to see the creative juices flow uninhibitedly, and I was impressed with the solutions they provided to my concerns.
If we didn’t have the help from Jeff and Dan there would have been no way we could have taken on this project. As a matter of fact, we totally forgot about race lights, so Dan called Randy with Tiger Lights, and a few days later I had a ton of boxes show up filled with lights, which I was not invoiced for. This was one of many blessings along the way. Thank you Dan & Randy
Once we received the rolling chassis we immediately went to work completing the car which included wiring the whole car as well as pluming. We had a million issues along the way, but we pressed on.

This is how the car looked 2 weeks before race day! We were super nervous we wouldn’t be done in time, or that we’d be done but face some insurmountable issue. Knowing we didn’t have time for mistakes, we double checked, and triple checked everything!
I also want to mention that students from the local High School auto shop came by after school almost every day to help us meet our deadline. One of our team members (Keith) is their teacher and was able to arrange it so the students could count this time towards their 100 hour internship requirement.

Once we were done with most of the wiring and assembly of the racecar it was time to bring it to a friend of mine Sam with Arizona Color Wrap Pros. These guys are amazing at what they do and have been supporting our race team for over a year now. They are great to work with, and are the best at what they do.
At first I didn’t know if we should keep the wheelchair symbol and design, or create something new. But then I got to thinking. Our mission is to show people with challenges like mine, that with the support of good people and companies, they can compete at the highest levels! The decision was made. We were sticking with our theme!
When we saw the car for the first time after the wrap was complete, we just couldn’t believe how good it looked! These guys did such an amazing job. One of the unique things we did with this wrap, was to take all the people who have contributed to our team and make a collage out of it and put it on the inside of the roof in the cab. This way, we are all reminded of the people who have come together to make this happen. It keeps us grateful and appreciative.

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Now that we had a complete car fully wrapped, with all of our supporters in plain sight, we were off to Las Vegas and the next challenge. Testing the car and tuning suspension.
As it happens, we know some of the best suspension tuners out there! Gary & Vivian (UTV Shocks) & Tom Morris (TM1 Suspension. ) Although they had a number of racers in the Mint, they both made time to come meet us as we were testing. They not only came to help, but they brought two massive trailers with everything needed to breakdown, and rebuild the suspension. This was absolutely huge for us since we had no time left. In the next 12 hours we put about a 100 miles on the car while dialing in the suspension. That was the extent of our testing. . I know, I know….. Gary & Tom and Calculated Risk Racing, was absolutely critical in us getting our suspension done in time. Ben & Tiffany (Calculated Risk Racing) also helped run our pits and have been a huge help all around.

Jeff with Blud Racing Lubricants gave us this sweet race tent, in addition to some of the best oils and diff fluid out there and has been an avid supporter of ours from almost the beginning.
We spent the next 24 hours trying to figure out our steering and radio. Although the car was running fine, we had some big issues to figure out and not much time to do it. We had to replace the ECU in our power steering as well as put in a brand new radio the night before the race. Ken from E-power steering was key in provided the much needed parts as well as proffering advice. Now that was had the parts, my mad scientist friend and team leader (Jared White) went to work fixing it. This was about 11pm. I needed to be up at 4am. I was worried. Big time. :/
With a meager two and a half hours of sleep, it was finally race day! We strapped in and went to stage. We were 64th off the line and took off in typical Dead Legs Fashion, floored. Although we rocketed the start, we took the 1st lap at about 75-80% We wanted to be smart, and I definitely didn’t want to wind up sleeping in the desert again, as I did last year.
We had a great pace going and moved up about 16 positions in the first lap. We decided to try a new tire this year. Our plan was to shoot for the moon and land on the stars. What happened is we shot for the moon and got the moon! Joe, Mark, and the guys at MRT and Muscle race wheels backed us in a major way. These MRT XG Tires are the best tires I’ve run so far. As a matter of fact, in addition the amazing grip in all terrain, the tire held up when I destroyed the rim! I still can’t believe this. As we pulled into pit, we had no idea we had a flat,4 It was Todd with EVO who told me we had to change the wheel out, that we were missing the backside portion of the wheel. I was astonished. In the past I always knew when I had a flat so this was a different experience for me. Thank you MRT. I will never run another tire if I can avoid it. I only wish they made them for wheelchairs! 😉 ( One thing I don’t want to forget to mention is that after the race we couldn’t believe the condition of our tires! They looked like we did some light trail riding, not the brutal Mint 400!)
As we were about to complete the first lap we noticed our car was running hot. 240 degrees to be specific. At the time we had no idea what the problem was. Everything looked to be in good order and the fluid levels were great. During the second lap we could not keep the car cool. We had to pull over 6 times in order for the temps to fall. Naturally, we lost just about all of the places we secured during the first lap. We took it easy the rest of the lap in order to preserve the motor. As we completed the second lap we received the checkered flag. It confused me for a4 second, but then I remembered the grand prix finish.
In conclusion. This was a major win for us, and for people who compete with significant disabilities. I called my wife to tell her we finished before we rolled onto the podium. She freaked out with excitement and said the crew was doing cart-wheels.