Our second practice day at Sandia had a good turnout of cars and drivers. Track was in great shape and all ran well

Large turn out in several divisions. Sprint cars had 9 drivers taking the track. Of note was Don Grable of El Paso piloting the 40x of Butch Box. He raced his 148 several times last year and dominated. He looked very fast in the Budlong engine powered sprint, it should be an interesting year. Nick Rael in his new paint scheme was also fast, he did some damage to his car but with the help of his crew he was able to return for more practice laps. J R Bonesteel continues to work on his driving in the #0 Sprint.

The Cruiser division also had a good turnout. Several of the folks from last year and several new or returning drivers. Skimmer Lathem has a young Isiah Mendoza #12 in a nice looking camaro, Cooter Frazier had some of his relatives out in new cars. Vanessa Frazier #29 #28n Mathew Neff in a sharp looking gold camaro. Justin Neff in a newly painted GM car #26N. "Little" Richard Ainsworth was out in his newly purchased #25, this was the old #57 of Steve Ashley, he looked strong. I even got to drive the #25 for a few laps with a guest passenger Priscilla (M. Lucero) friend. It was fun to get back in a dirt car after a 41 year layoff. Ariel Bonesteel #02 out in her car from last year. Ernie Sandoval #80 had his newly skinned car out and he was running good.

The Street Stocks had few cars. The #114 Kevin Ward in the refurbished #11 of Casey and Clay Gossett car. Of Course #15 of Ms Yates looking strong. But the outstanding car was #53 of R C Combs with his new wrap. One of the best looking Street Stocks I have ever seen. As for fast, he looks like a Late Model out there. That kid has more talent than anyone of his age I have seen in years.

The X Mods had a good showing with several new cars and drivers. Anthony Sandoval is moving up from Cruisers, he purchased the car Monte Hunter had been working on for a couple of years. Carl Morlang of Grants had a newly acquired car he purchased in Colorado. Hope we see him race at Sandia this year. Squeeky Mendoza #50 was out and looked good. Mychal Lucero in XXX was very fast, he says he likes his new car. Kenny Ford has been doing lots of work on it and it looks like they are on the right track. Steve Bonesteel #00 was out but I never got to see him run, I asume he will be fast again this year. Dee Yates #15 had his GREEN bodied car out, some very very fast laps, He will be a handful.

A Mods had only three cars out, Tim Hooper in the neon green #12, its a Baxter Built and should be very fast, it is beautiful as are all of J R Baxter creations. Kenneth Payne #2 was out with a great looking new wrap. Kenneth looked a little lost without his grandpa R J with him. As you may know R J passed away last month. Keep up a stiff upper lip Kenneth. Clint Miller #58 looks like he will be going after the championship this year. I saw last years champ Justin Weber in the pits but no car. Todd Budlong has a newish car, but he is still working on the engine. You know the old saying, "the cobbler's children go bearfoot". Don Clinger #05 was out with his new Budlong Motorsport engine and put in some very hot laps. I wonder what he could do with a modern chassis.

Spirits were high and the drivers looked ready for another great racing season on the dirt at Sandia Speedway. First race of the new season is April 2nd with green flag at 3:30. Contest in the Wing 305 Sprints, Mini Sprint, A Mods, X Mods, Street Stock and Cruisers. Note this year the A and X Mods will be running some of the same dates. Come out and root for your favorite.

Ray