Texas Races
During the NHRA National Open, contested before the Dallas National event, Brenda ran the Super Stocker to get an additional grade point. During the last qualifying run, Brenda heard a noise that didn’t sound right and quickly shut the engine down. After being towed back to the pits, the issue was identified as a failed lifter. Because Brenda was not in the hunt for a championship, it was determined in consultations with Jason and Lance Line, the engine needed to be repaired to ensure no further damage. Unfortunately, this meant the end of the season for the Super Stocker.
The issue was in fact a failed lifter, but it was
not a lifter which had been purchased, for the
engine. The lifter had been produced prior to
the Super Stocker’s existence. The set of
lifters that had been purchased was in a
previous engine builders shop for about a year
before the relationship ended and parts were retrieved. It is disappointing to think a builder would swap in old parts for brand new state-of-the-art lifters.
Brenda continued with the Stocker in the National event and made it to the quarter final round. While Brenda had a chance at finishing again in the Top 10, a first round exit at the Houston National event eliminated this possibility.
Southern/Gator/Spring Nationals Final Round
The rescheduled Southern Nationals held at the rescheduled Gator Nationals and finished at the rescheduled Houston National event resulted in a runner- up finish for Brenda after a -.004 red light. The car ran dead-on 9.927 on a 9.92 dial… Oh but for .004 seconds. This
w a s Brenda’s second runner-up finish at a Gator Nationals event. Her first NHRA National event final was at the Gators in 2006. Brenda remains determined to win the Gator Nationals!
Brenda published three articles on Sportsman racers this year including Jenifer White, Debby DiGenova and Bobby Devine. Her last article for 2020 has been started and will be submitted soon.
Hint: What is old is new again!
2021 Season Starters
Testing Jan/Feb
Bradenton
Belle Rose Divisional
Gainesville Divisional
Gator Nationals
TBD
Feb 26-27
Mar 4-7 Mar 12-14
And that’s a wrap!
Even with the year being crazy, the race season seemed to fly by. The Stocker had another good year with a National runner-up, National quarter final and a Divisional quarter final. The Super Stocker continues to be a “problem child” but did manage to achieve a quarter final finish at the Houston Divisional.
The #6 on the Stocker will be removed and replaced with #2020. For most, the number 2020 doesn’t illicit good memories. For Brenda, it’s been her Stock competition number for seventeen years. Last year, another racer who had the #2020 in Super Stock retired. He took the time to find Brenda and gifted her the #2020 for Super Stock!
Off Season Plans
The race shop is currently pretty empty. The engines are at Line Performance getting repaired/freshened, the transmissions are at ProTrans getting freshened and the cars are having work done at a chassis shop.
After years of running the car with original 69 Camaro seats, the Stocker is getting new “The Joie of Seating” seats. They are almost identical to the current Super Stocker seats. The new custom fitted seats will provide Brenda with additional safety.
The goal for the Super Stocker is to lose the title “problem child” beginning with the season opener. A few tweaks are being made to get the car to the performance level and consistency its capable of.
Brenda and Bill remain pleased and excited about the partnership with Line Performance. In addition to having the Super Stocker engine repaired, another Super Stock engine is being built as a back-up and should be ready early February. A second Stocker engine will be built mid to late 2021. Having a backup engine for each car will provide a peace of mind and help maintain the planned racing schedule.
While the cars are at the chassis shop, Bill will have more time to complete a few projects on the motorhome and trailer, as well as make Brenda happy by organizing the shop! Once the Stocker is home, Bill will install a new RacePak Smartwire system.
Brenda is working on her off-season development plan. Her plan includes physical development (diet, exercise, practice tree, etc.) and mental development. Brenda believes the mental part of racing is extremely important and she has an opportunity to make a few impactful tweaks. She is working with Luke Bogacki to fine tune her plan.
Testing will happen on both cars prior to the start of the season. Bradenton, Florida has previously provided great weather and a great track for testing. Brenda is always ready to go back to her previous “home track” and enjoy the Florida sunshine!