winner winner chicken dinner

The title is a direct quote, by the way, from one of my dearest friends, uttered to me via text message not more than 30 minutes ago. :)

As we speak (as I type?), my friend is celebrating in the winner's circle!! Yes, JLine won the race in Florida, and after listening to the final round on the audiocast on my favorite web site, I rushed to my closet to pull out my Pro Stock Winner hat that was a gift from my friend on my birthday last year - when JLine won the Sonoma race. This hat that I'm wearing was actually worn by my friend in the winner's circle there, and when I went up to congratulate him afterwards, he handed it to me. I almost cried.... It's unbelievably special to me, even one of my most prized possessions, perhaps. I'm sick for drag racing, in case you hadn't noticed.

Today I had to include my 37th birthday prize in this double celebration: my 400th blip and JLine's 21st Pro Stock victory. He drove like a mother freakin' demon to earn the win today against one of the heaviest hitters in the class. I'm proud to know him and the guys who helped make that win happen. Even without this win - or any of the wins before - this is a fine group of folks. I'm so glad I have had the chance to spend time with them and get to know them a little bit. They are so much more than just "a team." They're righteous dudes, they are, as are oh-so-many of the teams out there. Love 'em all and send many congratulatory hugs to this team in particular today.

Celebrate!!