Matthew Dillner Blog - Racing at Bowman Gray

Getting the chance to race there was quite a thrill this past weekend. I have to thank my brother and the Stroupes for giving me that opportunity.

I decided to run a special scheme too. Dale Averill helped me out and I ran a tribute scheme to my first favorite racecar driver, Chargin' Charlie Jarzombek. The 1 car was the reason I went to races as a kid and hooked me into the sport I love. The scheme turned a lot of heads at the Stadium.

Friday was as much fun as you can have with your pants on. As I actually joked with Jason Myers, it might be more fun than anything with pants on or off...haha.

Practice went well. Found an edge, spun once. Got consistent and turned some decent laps.

Drew for starting spots for the feature. I drew a wonderful 146 out of the basket which meant I started in last in the feature.

Next was one of the coolest parts of the night. Pulling out on the track for practice was cool...but for the race it was something special. Exiting the pits and entering the coliseum known as the madhosue... my senses were immediately treated to about 15-thousand fans. Then pulling around turn-two I saw the Section-9 gang...cheering me on. They were leaning over the wall waving to me. I asked them to flip me off so I'd feel like a true Stadium driver and they did. I was cracking up during that first pacelap. My friends even told the others we usually sit with that I was in the car so they all started cheering for me. Even ol' "Tater" was pullin for me over the concrete facad.

In the race, I dodged some wrecks and got a rhythm going. My first pass was interesting! Man that place is a tight place to race... I wonder how the Mod guys do it?

I worked my way up to 10th. I was following a real fast car when I pushed it too hard and spun. Yeah, ran out of talent. Couldn't save the car... had a steering issue with the car (excuses excuses huh?) hahahha. I literally didn't have enough wheel to actually save it.

BLOG - RACING AT BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM

Those of you who really know me... know just how special the little bull-ring in Winston-Salem, NC named Bowman Gray Stadium is to me. I grew up at a bull-ring with Modifieds, Islip Speedway (now a cookie factory). When I moved down to NC I started going to the Stadium and instantly I fell in love. The place felt like home in an un-explainable way. Simply, I have a passion for the place.

Wound up finishing 15th I believe (official results later showed 11th). The main goal was met however. The car (which wasn't my own) was loaded in the trailer in one peice and most importantly I HAD FUN!

Thanks to everyone who came out to help and root for me. Thanks to Dustin for making me comfortable, the whole BDI team, BD himself and the Stroupes. Thanks to all who came to watch and support me! Thanks to Bruce Silver for his help too and letting me use his trailer as my locker-room!

It was a night I will never forget that is for sure!

-MD