Welcome to a new season of racing. First race was The Hawthorn 275, our weekend was a good one, we started out with an uneventful pre run and got a good look at what we were in for on this course. It had a bit of everything from small rocks to boulders, silty sections, deep washouts, flat speed zones and very rocky long steep hill climes. GIL started in the second position and I the third, on our first lap the sun was coming up and dust was a huge issue. At times we had zero vision and both of us went off course in some big rocks but managed to find the course in the dust thanks to our co drivers who were amazing by the way. By mile 5 the first 3 cars were pretty close even in the dust, GIL managed to pass the first car and got clean air. I was stuck in some heavy dust behind the car he passed until check point one which was about another six miles where we got passed him as well. GIL was now first and I was second, this however was short lived as about mile marker 12 we started having issues, my car went into limp mode which limited me to 25 mph, I was able to reset the car by shutting down but not before getting passed by the car we just got passed. GIL however had a big lead by then which he never gave up and only got faster as the day went on. My car was not so nice, over the course of the three laps we went into limp mode 12-15 more times, one of the times it refused to reset so we had to run in limp mode for a while. The car gave us one more reset and we made the most of it with the fastest run we could however, pushing the pace in the rocky hill clime We got a flat, after a very quick change, my co driver is amazing, we were back up and running for the finish line. So we started third finished third with a lot of adversity, we persevered to get a podium and that ain’t bad. GIL ran what can only be said was his best race to date and earned a very well deserved first place, it was not an easy course and don’t think for a minute he had it easy as he also dealt with dust, rocks, silt and passing challenges to get that win. A huge thanks to our co drivers Mike, Isia, and Brian you guys were amazing. Also to our pit crew Cheryl, Caroline, Randy, Becca, both Tony’s as well as the Mccalla crew you did a great job getting us in and out in record time! Our next race will be the end of May in Yerington and I know it will be more great times with Family and Friends, until then stay tuned race fans the DEZERT DAWGZ are coming!