As this new year has already begun, I just realized that 2010 is the beginning of my 5th decade of racing, according to the calendar. My personal journey as a racer began on May 12, 1973 at the Lodi Cycle Bowl. I learned a very important lesson on that day that has helped me  become who I am. That lesson was to never give up.   

You see, in that race, full of first time jitters and butterflies, I had my first crash in competition. Picking myself up off the slick blue-groove the Cycle Bowl is world famous for, I stomped my six year old little feet to the infield. I'm sure the corner flag man had to stifle a laugh as he saw a face full of dirt, snot running from my nose, behind a football face mask, attached to an old hand-me-down open faced Bell helmet. Disgusted as can be, I pushed my bike back to the pits.   

As I arrived back at the old GMC van, one that doubled as my Dad's work van at his TV repair shop, my Dad informed me, " Chris, if you had finished the race, you would have gotten a trophy." After hearing those words, I became the poster child for pissed off 6 year olds. I also know that was the beginning of finishing any race that was humanly possible for me, no matter what. Whether it was to win my first trophy or fighting for points on an off day, every position counts. Having lost 4 Grand National Championships by a total of seven points combined has reaffirmed that lesson for life.  

Daytona, and the racing prior at Savannah were very encouraging signs for our race team. At Daytona, while the box scores weren't the best, I left there with ten points more than the year before. I also found myself fighting for those points to the bitter end. A,good sign that despite turning 43 this year, I still have the desire. A better sign for me personally, our results in Savannah prove that I still have the desire and speed to kick their asses.