Summer officially arrived at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday, bringing the hottest race day of the season. While temperatures climbed throughout the day, one member of the team never seemed to notice.
Anthony was excited, focused, and ready to race. Not once did he complain about the heat. Mom, on the other hand, made it her mission to remind him every chance she got that the track had a cooling station available if he needed it—and to keep drinking water. Some things never change.
The day started on a high note as Raccio Racing topped the practice charts with the fastest lap of the session. It's always encouraging to see the speed in the car early, and it gave the team confidence heading into the evening.
As race time approached, however, Mother Nature had other plans.
We made a tire change for the heat race, and just as the cars took to the track, light rain began to fall. The Speedbowl safety crew immediately went to work drying the racing surface, but the conditions had already begun to change. What worked in practice wasn't necessarily going to work as the night unfolded.
By the time the SK Light feature rolled onto the track, dark clouds surrounded the Speedbowl and the racing surface had changed considerably. The competition remained incredibly close, with lap times throughout the field ranging from 15.31 to 15.51 seconds—a testament to just how competitive the division has become.
Anthony continued to gain valuable experience by staying patient and making smart decisions behind the wheel. Mid-race, he successfully avoided a crash developing directly in front of him before being forced all the way to the outside wall while protecting his position. Despite the pressure, he kept the car pointed in the right direction and continued racing without incident.
Having a strong spotter has become an important part of Anthony's development. A huge thank you to Dylan for another outstanding night on the radio. Clear communication and timely information continue to help Anthony anticipate trouble, race confidently, and, most importantly, stay safe.
Saturday also gave us the opportunity to welcome Jared Taft to our pit crew. Anthony and the Taft Racing family have stayed in touch throughout the season, and having Jared with us after Jackson Taft captured his first Quarter Midget feature victory made the evening even more meaningful. Celebrating Jackson's accomplishment together was a special reminder of how connected the racing community really is.
As always, some of the best moments happened away from the racing surface. Between the changing weather and passing rain showers, family and friends gathered around the trailer, sharing stories, laughs, and plenty of conversations while keeping one eye on the radar. Those moments are every bit as memorable as the laps on the track.
Another week of seat time. Another night of learning. Another race completed without incident.
Those are the building blocks that matter.
The speed continues to improve. The confidence continues to grow. Every lap adds experience that can't be taught anywhere else.
The SK Light division has next weekend off, giving the team a chance to catch our breath, prepare the car, and get ready for our return to the New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday, July 18.
Thank you to our sponsors, supporters, family, friends, and everyone who continues to follow the Raccio Racing journey. We'll see you back at the track on July 18!