California!

The #01 Johnny Davis Motorsports Nationwide Series Chevy finished 27th in California Saturday night with Danny Efland aboard. After qualifying 39th with only 16 laps of practice, learning the track was left to the actual race. But learning was quick! By lap 50 Danny had progressed to 29th place and was feeling more and more comfortable in the draft at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.

"We lost 4 laps in the first half of the race," said Danny "but only one more in the entire 2nd half. I passed the #28 car on the last lap to beat everyone on my lap. It would have been cool to run further as I was really beginning to feel comfortable. It will be great to come back to some of these tracks for a second time and actually even know what they look like!"

Danny and the team will arrive home Sunday night, the hauler arrives Tuesday and leaves with the Richmond cars on Wednesday night.

See you at the races!

PS Thanks to Sonja and Mick for the extra set of new tires - they made a difference on that last run where we gained 2 positions.

SAD NEWS

Last year when I first went to Johnny Davis Motorsports to attempt my first Nationwide (then Busch) series start, the team manager was Kenneth Campbell. Kenneth died this week very unexpectedly. In the short time I worked with Kenneth I learned he had great knowledge and was very patient. He left the team shortly afterwards but remained a good friend at the track. I will miss him and only wish I could have worked with him longer in order to learn a small part of what he knew.

Danny Efland

Bristol is Bristol!

Danny had always heard that driving at Bristol was like flying a jet fighter in a school gymnasium, but nothing can really prepare you for the sight and sounds of the track! With some of the steepest banking in NASCAR and only 1/2 mile around makes it one of the most unique tracks on the Nationwide circuit.

Danny immediately set to work in the #01 Johnny Davis Motorsports Chevy but learning was tough among the 52 car entry field. Because Danny was locked in the field after the excellent Michigan finish the decision was made to be very conservative on the set up for qualifying. Even though he had to use a provisional to make the field it was probably a smart move as about 7 cars hit the wall during their qualifying runs.

In the race, Danny moved steadily up to a very well respected 30th place finish on a track where the cars make laps every 16 t0 17 seconds and is called the World's fastest half mile! The night was a great learning experience for Danny and a big points gain for the car owner. JDM was very happy the car survived at a track known for tearing up equipment. A complete race at Bristol may be one of Danny's best learning experiences yet.

The race car hauler got back to the shop Saturday morning, the cars were unloaded, new ones loaded up and the hauler left for California Saturday night. Danny and the crew fly out on Wednesday where Danny will make his first laps at the famed 2 mile Auto Club Speedway in Fontana California.

See you at the races!

Michigan
The best run yet for Danny Efland in the Nationwide Series.

Danny had his best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish yet on the 2 mile Michigan Speedway Saturday afternoon. The 28th place finish moved the Johnny Davis MotorSports Chevy into 29th place in the full time owners points. That is important because the top 30 teams are locked into the fields.

Danny was approved for 2 mile tracks only last week by NASCAR. He had no previous experience on tracks that big and was amazed upon arriving and seeing the track for the first time.

The JDM cars were not fast in practice and did not qualify well. The team car did not make the race and Danny had to use a provisional to start in the 42nd position. But things would change. Team owner Johnny Davis made some changes after qualifying and right from the start the car was much more competitive. Danny immediately moved into the top 30's and found a drafting partner in Morgan Shepard, one of the most experienced drivers in NASCAR. During the next 50 plus laps Danny went to school on the draft and was surprised how much he liked it!

With about 20 laps to go Danny was well into 26th place and gaining but soon after the tires began to go away. Morgan caught Danny on the last lap and Danny spun the car in a complete 360 and continued on - but to a 28th place finish.

After the race Danny said " I enjoyed this race more than maybe any other I have ever run and can not wait to continue learning about the draft. I want to thank Johnny Davis for his patience with me and for his continued work on the car until it was competitive!"

Next week the Nationwide Series moves from one of the longest tracks on the circuit to Bristol - one of the shortest.

See you at the races!

PS- A special thanks to:

* thehotlap.com for their sticker this week.

* The wonderful fans at Michigan who invited me over to eat at their camp site - twice!