This past weekend, Team DSR decided to change things up and head to a brand-new track, Greenwood Valley Action Track. For a small team like ours, new territory means new nerves, new challenges, and plenty of unknowns. But with every new track comes an opportunity to grow, and we were ready to take it on.
Hot Laps and First Impressions
Rolling into a track for the first time is never easy. The #81 machine unloaded with a neutral setup, and we hoped hot laps would give us a sense of how to adjust for the night. With a strong car count in our division, Dominic wasn’t in the first group to hit the clay, which gave us a chance to watch the competition.
It didn’t take long to realize two things: the field was fast, and GVAT doesn’t race like any other track we’ve tackled in our young team’s history. After his hot laps, Dominic came back to the trailer with confidence, asking for just a few small changes before the heat.
Battling Through the Heat Race
With 26 cars total, we drew into Heat #3 starting P5 of 8. Once the green flag dropped, it was clear—this competition wasn’t going to give an inch. Dominic slipped back to P7, and with the race running caution-free, that’s where he finished.
Back in the pits, we talked over the run and made only small adjustments to chase the changing track conditions. The car was solid, and Dominic was ready for the feature.
Lined Up for the Feature
Our P7 finish in the heat meant starting deep in the field, P21 out of 26 cars. GVAT gave the night a special touch with a four-wide parade lap to kick things off for their final points race of the season. Once the parade was over and the green flag waved, it was all business.
Dominic spent the early part of the race learning the tricky lines around the track, figuring out where the speed was, and keeping the 81 out of trouble. Four cautions slowed the pace throughout the night, but he did a great job avoiding any wrecks and staying clean.
As the laps ticked away, Dominic got more comfortable, testing new lines and finding speed in places we hadn’t seen him run before. By the time the checkered flag flew, he was picking up speed every lap and wishing for more track time. We brought it home P18 out of 26, a finish that doesn’t tell the whole story of what we gained.
Trackside Takeaways
Sure, every driver dreams of finishing P1, but sometimes success is measured in growth, not trophies. For our young team, GVAT gave us:
- Experience on a brand-new track
- Confidence running against a tough field
- Knowledge of new racing lines
- Proof that we can compete anywhere with persistence
We left the track feeling like winners, not because of where we finished, but because of what we learned.
Appreciation Lap
We want to give a huge thank you to everyone who supports DSR both at the track and from home. Whether it’s the friends who stop by the trailer to check in, the family who help keep things moving behind the scenes, or the fans who cheer us on no matter where we finish, you make this journey worthwhile.
Thank you Scott Scholl Racing, for your continued support.
A special shout-out to the Greenwood Valley Action Track staff and fellow drivers for the warm welcome at their track. Racing against tough competition only makes us stronger, and we’re grateful for every lap we get to turn.
See you at the next one!
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Photos: On The Fly Photo
Dominic Slesinski Racing 