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Clay's
Blog
The big day, December 10th, was the IHRA Awards Banquet. The guys are getting pretty excited about attending. First, they like the parties and second like getting their bonus check from the “Captain” (Kenny Koretsky). The Race Team has really worked hard this year and deserves every penny. I am very proud of them. The majority of the race team flew out Friday afternoon on the same flight. This prompted a few jokes (Lynyrd Skynyrd) that really were not that funny. There would be just enough of the team left to have a tribute team. When we arrived in Greensboro, North Carolina, it was a sight watching us all pile into a van to go to the Sheraton. The driver of the van, a guy named Aaron, was really sure he had picked up a group of people heading out on “Prom Night.” I asked him if I could drive but did not get a response. Once we all got checked into our rooms we met in the lobby and asked
where the Outback Steak House was located. The doorman said it was only
about 300 yards away. We decided a brisk walk would do us all some good.
It did not take us long to decide the Doorman did not know the difference
between an eighth-mile and a quarter-mile! 300 yards was not close to
how far we walked. If a cab had come through the mall parking lot we would
have most likely car-jacked him, because it was very cold. a
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In spite of that, we found a place to sit and leave it to me, my first big move of the night was to spill a drink right in Donna’s lap. I did have great aim. It hit dead center of her lap. I spent the next few minutes apologizing. Just as I had settled in at the club my cell phone rang. (Donna says that I should just have my phone superglued to my head) It was a friend of mine with some information about a possible new sponsor. I could not hear a thing with all the 80s music playing and I headed for the room. Donna followed and I assured her this call would be quick. By the time I was off the phone, Donna and Dalton were both fast asleep. The whole team had been awaiting the arrival of Kenny and his wife Karen.
This is Kenny’s first IHRA Banquet and if you know “The Captain”
anywhere he shows up there will never be a dull moment. Thanks to bad
weather somewhere, he would have made it to Greensboro quicker driving
than flying. After my lengthy phone call I made my way back down to the
lobby and there was Kenny, Karen and Mike Kloeber (My Crew Chief of the
Year) just getting checked in. We decided a little sit down would be a
good idea since we have spent the last few weeks just on the phone with
one another. You can always get a lot more done in person. Our face-to-face
time turned into hanging out with Aaron Polburn and his wife Beckie. Aaron
and Beckie are great people who really care about drag racing. a
d v e r t i s e m e n t Let the banquet begin. It was time to put on the tux, shiny uncomfortable shoes and the always-annoying bow tie. Donna had a long brown evening gown and looked really great. Dalton wore a pin striped tux and a ball cap (kids go figure). We were all set except for one thing, a huge part of our team was missing. Mr. Dwayne Haug (our main man from Werner) was having flight delays. Mr. Dwayne is responsible for putting together our sponsorship with Werner Enterprises. I kept looking over my shoulder for him while setting at the head table during the Banquet. Once I saw that Mr. Dwayne had made it the rest of the evening went great. The IHRA put on a great show. After all was said and done, we finished our night at one of our favorite restaurants - the Waffle House. The whole Crew at Kenny Koretsky Motorsports, Werner Enterprises and
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
What’s your take? Drop us a line at comppluseditor@aol.com.
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The
Race Team and I have spent the last few weeks trying to get ready for
the upcoming season. While doing this, it quickly became apparent to me
that I wished we were able to just race year round. We have been moving
into a new trailer and putting together new cars, which is keeping us
quite busy.
Let
the partying begin. Donna, my wife, and my youngest son Dalton had
a little debate about him joining us at the Fifth Season Club. Dalton
wanted to go because the rest of team was going. Dalton knew this was
a great chance to show off some of his best dance moves. One problem -
Dalton is 13 and the club was not in his mother’s plan. Donna and
l headed down to the club only to find the music being played was vintage
1985 - not exactly what she likes to dance too. 
© Competitionplus 2005
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