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Updates
May 01, 2001 - South Sound Speedway
South Sound Speedway is a 3/8 mile track just south of Tenino which was recently repaved making the track faster and creating more grip. Over the past two weeks, both Amber and Angela have been practicing at South Sound Speedway, both running consistent times and getting comfortable with the track.
Race day at South Sound Speedway, Crew Chief Al Ausbun felt we had the car set up well for Amber. In Amber’s practice sessions she was happy with the #30 ZNETIX Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s performance. Her practice times were among the fastest on the track.
6:00 p.m., qualifying started. Amber and her #30 ZNETIX Chevrolet Monte Carlo was the 7th car out. Mike Olson, the #10 car was the fastest qualifying time so far at a 14.38. Amber took to the track with confidence and put the first lap at a 14.49. She had the crowd on their feet with excitement and the second lap she slapped down a 14.46! Putting her off pole (2nd place). After the remaining cars qualified, Amber remained in the off pole position! Crew Chief Al and the team were very happy with the way Amber handled the #30 ZNETIX Chevrolet Monte Carlo!!
Amber started in her first “A Trophy Dash” a 4 lap race. She was positioned in 3rd place to start. Amber drove cautiously feeling that she had a fast car, and wanting to keep the car in one piece for the 100 lap race coming up. She finished the Trophy Dash in 4th place.
The Main Event started at 9:00 p.m. A “six invert” was drawn putting Amber in the 5th starting position. The green flag was thrown and she slipping into the 6th position. On lap 2, Amber drove her #30 ZNETIX Chevrolet Monte Carlo into turn three dropping down low and inside of the #8 car. Amber, at the door of the #8 car got pinched off and taking both cars into the infield of the track, she immediately got the car turned around and back on the track, but they threw the yellow flag which sent both cars to the back of the pack. Amber, in the 12th position set out with one thing in mind and that was to make it to the front. On lap 7, she moved into 11th and continued to pick her way through the field of cars passing with confidence and speed. By lap 27, she was in 8th. Then with
a caution on lap 32 on the #3 and #8 cars, Amber moved into the 6th position. After two laps under yellow, and going for the green flag, the car was having trouble, it wouldn’t turn, Amber had a tire going down so she brought her #30 ZNETIX Chevrolet Monte Carlo into the pits. The right front tire was damaged in Amber’s first incident in lap 2, creating a slow leak. By lap 44, Amber attempted to get back on the track, but a yellow flag was thrown because the #0 car slammed into the wall coming out of turn 4 blocking the track entrance. Amber got back on the track on lap 45 in 10th position. Once Amber was back in her groove, she passed six cars. By lap 80, she was battling with the #37 and #18 cars for track position. Lap 87 another caution was thrown for debris on the track,
lap 89 the green flag was thrown again and Amber and continued to battle the #37 and #18 cars. The remaining 11 laps continued on without incident and Amber brought her #30 ZNETIX Chevrolet Monte Carlo home in one piece and finished in 8th Place.
Comments from Crew Chief Al:
Amber made great strides to improve her driving skills. She gained alot of confidence during the race.
Comments from Driver Amber:
I thought everything went awesome!! This was my first race at South Sound this year and I feel that the track is better than last year, it feels good. I felt that we progressed well, qualifying off pole was quit a boost for us. Al set the car up great and we drove a tough race. I just wished that we would have finished better than we did especially with our great qualifying time.
Comments from Darren (Dad):
I felt Amber did an excellent job all night long. She did an outstanding job in her qualifying laps. I enjoyed watching my daughter make quick decisions on what to do on the race track. I can tell she’s getting more comfortable with side by side racing. Overall, it was a spectacular night for Amber and the team. Good job Amber!
Comments from race fans:
Mark Dickerson: “When she passed the #3 car, she left the move over mark on the door! Great job.”
Renee Ausbun: “She did what she had to do. All of a sudden the confidence was there and she proved her ability in this race.”
Becky Cline: “I can’t believe how much she has improved this year from last year, good job Amber, go kick their aspirin.”
Unknown fan: “She’s walk-in the walk and talk-in the talk”
