Thank you!

First things first - let me introduce myself. My name is Travis Mason-Bushman and I'm the trackside media relations specialist for GAINSCO/Blackhawk Racing. I travel with the team to write our press releases, manage driver interviews and appearances and cultivate our fanbase. I've been a road-racing nut all my life and got to know Bob when he was running amateur races in his Formula Atlantic on the West Coast. I've worked with him, Alex and the team since its professional debut last April, and am proud to represent a great bunch of people and a great company like GAINSCO.

I want to thank all of the Gainsco employees and agents who came out to Homestead/Miami Speedway to cheer on the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance machine. Alex, Jimmy and Bob enjoyed having the chance to share their enthusiasm for the sport with all of you, and I hope that you all take time to follow our team along for the 11 races remaining in the 2006 season, and into the future.

While we aren't entirely satisfied with a sixth-place finish, we weren't even expecting to do that well - as Andrew astutely mentioned below, the Porsche-powered cars are very tough to compete against right now! It's gratifying to have been able to take home a solid finish in front of a great crowd, and we think we stand a very good chance at taking the victory in two weeks on the streets of Long Beach. Stay tuned!

I'll have more from this weekend later on.

The car's practicing, and so am I

Jimmy Vasser and Alex Gurney were eighth-quick in this afternoon's first practice session for Saturday's Linder Industrial Grand Prix of Miami, behind the wheel of the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Pontiac Riley. Yesterday, Bob and Alex visited the Miami offices of GAINSCO, and were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of more than 160 employees ready to cheer the team on this weekend. Practice continues at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.