Race Night!

Last night, Erik and I went to the races at the Devils Lake Speedway to watch Sue's cousin's son - Jeff Ratzlaff - race.  This was Jeff's first race of the season.  He and his wife, Kim, have been busy - they had a baby a few months ago (Paizleigh)!!

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??