This is a long story, and I am going to try and give you the short version. Probably won't work.
As most of you know, I have been trying to put together a new engine setup all year. I was going to keep this engine for a backup and have the new one for the shootout. I simply ran out of time and money, and the trans I was going to use would not be ready in time. I hated to do it, but I had to make the post about not making it to the race and joked about having someone help me out with a tranny to get me by. I was bummed out. I was already planning on a trip to see Miller to tune the car and get it set up. He called me after that post started and apparently the tranny deal wasn't a joke to him. He said he would let me use the Liberty, but it was doing good in his car, so he let me use his PPG. Man, I was blown away to say the least!
I left out monday and got there on Tuesday night and started putting the tranny together. I kinda took my time and had the car back together by the middle of the day on Wednesday. That night around midnight we got to work on the dyno. We were still doing low boost pulls and the car was making pretty good power when the number 4 rod let go. I have been beating these rods for 9 years and knew they could go at any minute. That is why I was working on a new one. They just had to make it through one more event. Anyway, I was devastated. Miller, being the superhero he is, starts calling around. I mean this guy was going crazy trying to find me a engine to use! The next day, I slept in a little bit and came in to start taking the gear set back out. I was almost done pulling it when Miller came to me and said, Are you taking the engine out? I said, "no, I'm just getting you gearset out for you." He said "No, you are pulling the engine out." I was like "what?" He said " just get busy, I got one for you." So I got busy and we had the new engine running around 3am. We were through on the dyno about 4am. The car was making more power than ever before! I was so excited! We got to work on the other cars there and nobody ever went to sleep.
We all started getting ready to go to the track around 8-9am. My first pass was a wash, too much tire shake made it pop out of gear and ruined that run. Also, the log did not record on that run, so I was stuck with pretty low boost and a very rich a/f. The next pass was a different story. The magician did his work and I went 9.67 I think at 156. Man, did that feel good! The car didn't 330' to great, so I made tire and two step adjustments. I drew ShawnR for the first round. We were pitted next to one another and had a good time talking crap back and forth(it was mostly me talking crap.LOL). Anyway, I got a good light on him and won with a 9.46 @ 164 on the rev limiter at the end of the track. My 330' still wasn't great and I had Miller for the next round. I played with the MSD a little to try and control some wheel speed and give me somewhat of a chance. When we got to the staging lanes, Miller was having problems that they were working on his car. They started telling me to come to the lanes, but I wouldn't. I was waiting on him. They started screaming at me to come on, so I would move up a little and stop each time. If I would have went on, they would have staged me and disqualified him. I could hear his car coming, so I pulled on in. I was on the light pretty decent with my .100 to his .178, but it didn't matter. Again, my 330' wasn't up to par(i think I forgot to download the MSD file)and he had me by .4 at the 330'! That damn thing is fast! I had the best pass of my life and he was pulling me like I was tied to a stump! I ran a 9.43 @ 164 to his 8.8?@ 170 I think. When I stop on the return road, he comes around me and is rushing to get out of the car and comes running to me, suit, helmet and all and gives me a hug and says "thanks for waiting on me." I can't tell you how much that meant to me! This guy is a real class act!
I am sorry the post was so long, and I could have made it much longer. It was a very neat experience. Miller and all his guys(even Greg.LOL) are the best! They all went so far out of there way to help and the hospitality was un-freaking believable! Also, I gotta give it up for Pops and the BBQ. You were awesome!
Anyway, I could not have been put out by a better guy and because of him, I had the time of my life! I will never forget it!
I texted him on the way home to let him know he got off easy this year and next year I am kicking his ***!
Here are a few pics from the shop I got with my phone. I know the aren't great, but I had to share:

 

thats awsome! congrats on the pb!!!!!

 

Hell of a story and turn around in a week! Congrats on getting the car back up and running and great new time. Wait to step it up and wait for chris, woohoo for the magician and his magic too As always long long nights at nrg, always coming through!

 

extremly long post...lol uses spaces next time. it's easier on the eyes and toss that garbage camera...hahaha.. j/k

Hugge props to those guys for helping you out. You dont see that type of help and friendship that often anymore, it's good to see it exists still. Big Props to NRG tech even though im a T1 fan...hahaha

 

Congrats Danny you definitely deserved that new PB!!!

 

Crazy week Danny. Congrats on the times on the car. Miller and crew busted their asses all week for alot of people. That means alot to everyones eyes here. Good stuff man.

 

I am still editing it and I am sure Tom got some good pics. I just figered some of you would rather see these until he makes his post.

 

I scrolled left to right reading it lol...got me dizzy!

 

It should be better now. I keep making changes under the edit option, but it doesn't come out the same. I give up with editing. I'll stick to building cars.

 

See, Miller's not as much of a dick as everyone thinks.

Glad to see you finally putting together some good passes Danny. Also good to see good sportsmanship still being shown.

 

Miller is a bad ***! I have been in the basement and completly forgot about the shootout. Congrats on the great weekend

 

ausome dan, thanks for helping me out with my tranny.

 

Awesome story! I can't believe he gave up the trans!

Good to hear about the sportsmanship. "team orders" FTL.


We ran a hotrod car, I wanted to pull the trans and check something before the final.
Steve Merman was kind enough to let us delay the HR finals until later so we could race for it. Our car had an issue, but it was cool of him so thanks for that.

Anyway congrats on making the race!

 

Oh, and Miller (hearts) hugging dudes

 

Great story man.

Looks like someone needs to ask Santa for a nice pocket camera for Xmas.

Looking forward to see you kick some butt next year Danny.

 

congrats danny! and thanks for having a nice arrangement of wire brushes for me

 

how did you like the toyo's?

 

i dunno, i wouldnt say that... goin 8.81 with axle breaking was kinda a dick thing to do



miller and the guys at nrg are top notch

 

Congrats Danny on the PB and great weekend!!!!!!



Marc P

 

Congrats on the PB and an incredibly classy act.

 

dont hate kevin if you want a hug (or a wrestling match) just ask.

glad everything worked out for you danny. it was good to see everyone performing well especially the guys who struggled last year. to my buddy the magic man and the nrg crew for coming up big for alot of these guys.
-Roger

 

Danny, congrats once again on all your big accomplishments this weekend. I spoke with justin early thursday and heard the news on the motor and it really had me bummed. We spoke later and he told me about the new motor and I was once again ready to pull for you. I can't tell you how excited i was for you to see you making new PB's with every pass! Your car really looked like it was on a rail. I would have recorded all your passes but I was so worried I might miss something while looking through the camera that I just had to watch every pass. I'm so happy for you to see you pulling everything together with that car. I know you've really worked hard through plenty of struggles with everything in it, or so it has seemed lately. Keep up the good work and I'm ready to see that 9.1 pass you were talking about in the Pits before you vs Miller!

 

Nice! Glad to see you finally get down the track decent man, you def deserve it.

 

Congrats on the p.b.

 

miller is a stand up guy, and will do almost anything for anyone who he knows means well.