I video-taped his feature race with my cell phone and posted it to YouTube. You can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9rO9mnj4bA
Jeff started on the second row (he's in the white #9 car) and lapped many cars at least twice in the 15 lap event. It got a little close at the end as the #97 car closed the gap as Jeff had let up a little. Lots of fun!!
A couple of thoughts...I always think of the past when I go to the races. When I was very young, I used to go with my Dad just about every weekend. We'd go to Grand Forks, Park River, Langdon, and Hallock. I remember watching the Swangler's from Grand Forks, R. Tesmer from Walhalla, and the Roy's from Langdon - along with many other drivers. I also remember always wanting to be a race car driver and having my Dad there to support me (be my pit crew, biggest fan, etc...).
Those dreams faded after my mom and dad divorced when I was 10. I stopped going to the races. As my kids got older, we got into NASCAR - especially with Jace - and we started going to a few local races. Those same dreams came back - except now I wanted to be the pit crew and the number one fan, as I watched Jace (or one of his brothers) race around the track. Here's Erik sitting in Jeff's car after a heat race - working on dreaming his own dreams!
Maybe that's what makes following Jeff Ratzlaff so much fun. We've went to a few of his races and like to be in the pits with him before and after the races. It's not so much about watching him race - and win (which he does with ease!!)...It's about watching his Dad (Mark) - Jeff's pit crew and number one fan! I could go on and on about the little things I notice Mark doing to help...from a technical standpoint with the car, getting Jeff over to the driver's meetings before the race, or a pat on the back when everything is finished. It's fun to watch - and something all dad's should emulate.
When you have a Dad that is there and supporting you - when you succeed, and especially when you fall a little short - you're always going to end up winning.
Keep racing, Jeff! Who knows - maybe there will be a Ratzlaff/Peterson Racing merger sometime in the future??
