Good Day to all. I would like to inform all that may have seen, or race with (or against) me over the past 10 years, that the Over-Achiever Pinto has been sold and is on its way to northern Georgia to go SCCA road racing. This project car that never got finished did net me 2 R/U and 2 Win trophies in the Friday Street Stock class at LoneStar Raceway in Sealy, Tx between 1999 and 2001. The car had a round by round win-loss record of 27 and 13 out of 15 races in Street Stock, pretty successful for a stock 2.3 four banger.
As times change, so do expectations, financial situations, wants/desires/dreams and life in general. With less and less time and money to continue, I am officially calling it quits from drag racing. It has been a pleasure to participate even at this grass-roots level of the sport (wish I could have raced with the big boys). There are a few people that I would like to thank for their assistance, consideration and friendship over the years that go back to 1972 when I started. Bill Hielscher who I believe still runs the track at Kennedale for his kind words back at Green Valley Raceway from ’72 to ’74 with my 1961 Anglia. Mike and Becky Clark of the CCHRA for their putting up with me at Cabaniss Naval Runway from ’94 to ’96 while running the on-track Safety Safari (with the aforementioned Pinto). One of the Emmons Brothers who handed me my first 2 losses (on the same night) back in 1998 at the first race with the Over-Achiever Pinto at HRP. After loosing round one to you, buying back in for round 2 and running right on my dial, I had to race you again in round 3, where you beat me, again… To the Brabham’s that put LSR on the map, thanks for allowing my stinky little primered 4 banger run on your track!
Also to all the Street Stock guys at LSRP from ’99 thru ’02 including Don Brassingham, true competitor, best of luck, sir! Noel Mc(can’t remember how to spell the rest, sorry…) even though we did not see eye-to-eye on some things, I want to personally thank you for “pressing the issue” with Brabham on running Street Stock on November 3 2001 during the IHRA Div 4 Finals. My win that night was the biggest 15-minutes of fame I ever had (at 3 in the morning…) also, thanks for that second round race with you (at 1 o’clock AM…) Charles Roland with the red Camaro in that final round, great race sir, sorry you changed your dial… Chris Barnes (Barnyard!!) Good thing I did not EVER have to race you, I would not have been able to get a single round win against you at all.
Last, I have the absolute need to thank Tommy and Tiff Douglas, for their kindness and true friendship over the years, you two were half the excitement and enjoyment of a night at the races, thanks ever so much. If anyone deserves a complete sponsorship package in any class, sportsman or professional, Tom and Tiff, you are the ones, true professionals, on and off the track. Your knowledge, abilities and accomplishments (even though some not truely recognized…) outshine most competitors I have seen at any track. Best of luck in the future!

Good luck to all and be safe at the races!

Respectively,
Wes Verinder

Wes, even though we did'nt cross paths very often, I still hate to see anyone have to leave the sport they love. Maybe one day you can return with vengence !!!

just remember the words of Bret Farve, you can always come back and play again....LOL. Thanks for being part of bracketrash, later on buddy.

Jack