Joe's Blog - 2008 Season Summary

August 2008

All I can say is WOW, what a difference a year can make!!! Last year at this time I was staring at the aftermath of the Pocono accident, something that was not my fault yet took the 2007 Runoff's away from me as well as putting a question mark on even being able to run a 2008 season. Then, due to the incredible support of family, friends and all of you on this forum, 2008 returned to the table. After many hours of overtime in the winter, the donation drive held here, and the incredible rebuild from Phoenix Performance, I returned to the track and won my first National race at NHMS. It was at that point I realized I wanted even more. I threw caution to the wind and decided to make a run at a top 3 in the Northeast Divisional Championship, a big step up from my 2006 rookie season and my 2007 season. If I could make the Runoffs financially I would, but the goal for the year was to do well in Division.

What Rhonda and I accomplished is still sinking in. Now that the last national races around the country have been run, I can finally let the news out! I am happy to say that I have won the Northeast Division Touring 1 Championship!!! It was a long season for us, but we were able to stick through it and do even better than I thought I could in what is possibly the toughest Division in the country for T1. Here is the synopsis and stats.....

After my win at NHMS I was in 3rd place standing wise. After the Summit Point and Nelson Ledges 2nd place finishes I took the divisional points lead. I held that lead from May until a few weeks ago, when Phil Dipippo was able to sneak ahead of me during the Pocono races. During that time I was able to grab my second national win at the Mosport race, taking the pole position and winning it flag to flag. Phil had me worried as it was a track he was good at, but I was able to stay safe and win it. Not able to go to Pocono, I knew Phil would be edging past me in points so a week later we made the trek to Gingerman Raceway for the national race there. Knowing I would have to do well and make it count I put my head down. After taking the pole, I was able to grab win number three this year, flag to flag again, and seal the deal with 60 points. I am honored to win such a stacked division, to follow some of the powerhouses that have taken it before, AJ Aquilante to name one ( he moved up to pro this year and is doing great! )! My consistency this year was something I did not have in my previous two years. It added up!

I round the year out with 3 wins, 2 seconds, one 4th and a 7th that did not count towards the points. The 7th was at Watkins Glen where I was caught in the rain on dry tires, thus going backwards. I had qualified 5th, only behind heavy hitters AJ, Buttermore, Kahn and Pintaric. I was proud to be where I was. I had 2 pole positions this year. No DNF's, no DNS's and held the points lead for over half the season. We were the only car in division with 3 wins! I could not be happier!

I'd like to thank each and every one of you, whether you donated or not. The support I have recieved from even those I have never met is inspiring. For all of you, this Championship is as much for you as it is for us! After the accident, I had so many questions about if I would be competitive again, if the car would ever be right. A large part of the reason I stuck with it was the support I recieved from all of you. Thanks again. Thanks to the entire Pfadt Race Engineering crew for a wonderful shock that WORKS and is easy to set up, and the confidence in me to let me represent your product. Thanks to Phoenix for taking my car from a broken heap on the flatbed to what I think was an even better car then when we initially built it. Kryderracing for always being there when we need you and Dave Pintaric for your continued help and friendship. Dave Sanders, Phil Dipippo, Jason Berkeley and the rest of the guys in NEDiv, you guys keep me honest on track! And last but never least, thanks to my wife and crew chief Rhonda, for keeping my mind in the game and never doubting me. Couldn't do it without her, after all, we are the team!!

The only downside to this outcome is that I have burned all of my budget up chasing this. I will not be attending the 2008 Runoffs. It's pretty odd, the year I do the best I've ever done I can't make it to the big show, but at least I controlled that this year, no one else. I can live with that!

We are working on pics and more videos for the site, I'll keep everyone posted. Right now, there is some good rain racing video of the NHMS win uploaded. Enjoy!

Joe Gaudette