I am happy to say that I will be in the Trone Outdoor Special 39 car in 2010 racing season starting in Florida.  John Trone and I met and after a trying first year we are ready to focus our efforts on the 2010 season.  Kevin Frey will also be returning as Crew Chief.  We have all been working closely and trying not to loose the chemistry we were building before I got hurt.

As for my back, I recently made a second visit to Dr. Trammell, who indicated that everything was healing just fine and there would be no lasting complications from the accident.  We also were able to talk with the Doctor regarding safety and his suggestions relative to our form of racing.  I will talk more about the things I am going to do with my car to make it safer in the future.  However, I have talked with seat, frame and safety manufactures regarding the information I have gather through Dr. Trammell and my own research.  I am holding true to the promise I made to myself, my wife and my brother that I will not get back in a sprint car unless major safety improvements were made to my car.  Again, I hope to share more on this in the future.

I want to continue to thank all the people that have sent cards, money, food and prayers for my recovery.  I am getting around and working as normal as possible.  However, I really feel it at night when I push it to far.

I also want to especially thank Gloria Myers and Rhonda Moody.  These ladies were responsible for Sprint Car Mountain Mania at Ski Roundtop.  This was a really neat event.  Unfortunately, the weather leading up to the event was rainy which may have deterred some folks, but by Sunday the sun was shining.  After seeing all the activities to do at Ski Roundtop I wish more people could have taken advantage of it.  They really have a lot of things to do besides skiing.  They also had a raffle and put the proceeds towards the recovery fund.  My whole family had a great time and we were touched by their kindness.  Thank you again ladies.

I also want to thank Dick and Leslie Leach, from Leach Automotive, who purchased a Mule Pit Cart for the Trone Outdoor Motorsports Team.  For those of you that don’t know, it is a golf cart on steroids equipped with a generator, air compressor, tool box, storage and lights.  This will be a great addition to the team and very appreciated.

As far as the shop, we are busy getting equipment ready to sell at the flea markets.  Meanwhile, Kevin is also ordering new equipment to replace the old.  And then he’ll begin building for the season.  I’m excited about the up coming year, since we will be able to focus our efforts on the building and preparing equipment rather than building a shop and starting the operation from the ground up.  I’ll continue to update our progress and as I promised some of the safety ideas I’ll be incorporating into my car.  DOUG.