May 9 Race Recap
We had a heck of a start to the 2026 race season this past weekend. We kicked off the day with three good practice sets - running top 5 in each set. The team and I really had the car dialed in and it felt so good!
Then, it was time to qualify. Majority of the field qualified before I did, but I was able to pull off a 17.221 lap time, securing us quick time for the night!
At this point in the afternoon, I was feeling confident and ready to race in the double features. With the invert, I started 5th in the first feature. 25 laps of good clean racing later, I finished second place behind Cade Fox. As much as I would have loved to be neck and neck, racing for the win, Fox had a wicked fast car and ran away with it. Still though, I was really happy with a second place finish!
As the night went on, it got frigid cold but the car was solid and I knew we had a shot at some good racing for the second feature. That invert put us starting in P7, and although I didn't love that, at least it gave me the inside line.
We ran majority of the race under green flag, and without fail, the end of the race got a little dicey with cautions. Thankfully, we walked away unscathed...yay, no carnage. But with just 3 laps until the end, an avoidable accident took out several of the top cars ahead of me. I'm glad I didn't pile in, but some good fast cars went home on the wrecker. And of course, the rain came just in time to call the race then, not completing the last 3 laps.
As it stands now, we are awaiting on the final finishing order from Colorado National Speedway. At best, I'll take away a first or second place finish - and at worst, a fifth place finish. And I've gotta admit, for the first race of the season, I'm really proud of how we showed up and showed out on Saturday night.
I couldn't have done it without my crew. Week after week, these guys put in hours of hard work and I'm so grateful. And in honor of Mother's Day, I want to say a special thanks to my mom. For every shop night and each race weekend, she makes sure the entire crew (and almost anyone who stops by our trailer) is fed and hydrated. She makes sure we have ice in our coolers, I have a clean and stink-free driving suit - and so much more. Thank you, mom, for all you do!
For now, we have next weekend off but we're back on May 23, and you can bet we'll be ready. See you then!
Photo Credits: Holly Liebendorfer and Nikki Jones