Berlin Fire!

Unless you witnessed it or lived it, this probably doesn’t even sound like something that could really happen. But it did.

Practice was great. The car was fast, everything felt good, and we went into qualifying feeling confident.

Then, while I was out qualifying, radio communications told me my car was on fire. I had no idea. Stopped on track and found out just how bad it was. The engine was done, and honestly, I thought our night at Berlin was over.

That feeling is hard to explain. You put so much time, work, and money into getting to the track, and then just like that, it can all be gone.

And then what happened next doesn’t even seem real.

My friend Jeff, who I also race against, absolutely LOVES Berlin. It’s his favorite track.

A little backstory… Last year, one of the guys who drives for him, Kyle, was at Berlin and laid down the fastest track-record lap. Then his engine blew, and he was done for the night. Jeff ended up giving Kyle his car so he could keep competing instead of driving it himself.

Fast forward to last night.

Jeff Trailer Sales Hill had just put down a great qualifying lap at his favorite track. He knew as soon as he saw my dad that my car was done. Of course, he was like, “You’ve got to be kidding me. This is his track!”

But once again, Jeff stepped aside so I could have a chance to race.

He gave me a huge hug, told me not to worry, and then said, “Go drive my car, I love you bro.”

I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment.

To have someone trust me enough to hand me their car and give me another chance after what had just happened meant more than I can explain.

So I climbed in, strapped in, and went racing.

It definitely wasn’t the night we planned, but it became a night I’ll never forget. What could have ended with us loading up and going home turned into another opportunity to get back on the track and do what I love.

I’m incredibly thankful for Jeff & Britnegh Hill, Dave, Andy, Sarah, Brad, PFH Racing, our sponsors—The Bin Blaster, Dive Rescue International - Public Safety, Pitcher Perfect and everyone else who helped make it possible. And especially thankful for the people who believe in me when things don’t go according to plan.

I finished P5 in heat race and P8 in the feature.

Sometimes racing gives you the best nights. Sometimes it gives you the hardest ones. And sometimes, it gives you a story you’ll be telling forever.

Berlin definitely gave us one to remember!