The team quickly discovered that Burton’s estimate of being out powered was a huge understatement. The typical cars that race at Virginia Motorsports Park average between 550 and 650 horsepower.  The H.E.A.T. car’s engine only puts out around 425 horsepower. Justin felt like David going up against Goliath. He had made changes to the car to loosen it up before the race, changing the springs, cross weight and 4 bar locations. Even so, according to Justin, the team had brought a knife to a bazooka fight. Challenge #1: practice and qualifying. They pitted outside the track, thinking they could make adjustments to the car before qualifying at the pits. However, all cars were quickly called to the infield for practice. Burton became concerned when crews began hauling tires, tools and other gear in 4-wheelers to the infield. He was spotting for Justin, who was alone in the pits, on the outside of the track with radios. Burton had a good feeling the car would handle okay and Justin didn’t seem too worried. There were 22 Late Models present. Three groups went out to practice; the H.E.A.T. drivers were in Group 2 with eight cars. The team looked good on the wet track but most of the cars were handling just as well. Justin cranked all his brakes to the rear to help the car turn. Burton followed their lap times and those of other cars. Justin said the car was really handling well; he searched for a line that suited his car. He seemed to find it towards the end of practice. Challenge #2: You can’t come out of the pits until after qualifying. Everybody was making changes to their cars except Justin. He was burning up in the car due to the heat. Challenge #3: Justin had never qualified with eight other cars on the track at the same time. They get five laps together, keeping the fastest lap for record. Burton offered those great words of encouragement, “You got what you got.” Once Justin’s group hit the track he fell into his groove and, to his surprise, placed 15th out of a field of 22. In the pits, Justin decided the car was coming to him and he was not going to make any changes. The team chose to start in the rear, not knowing how the other drivers would come out at the start—the worst time for a wreck. After two restarts due to wrecks on the first lap, they knew they had made the right decision. Justin ran all 35 laps and improved his position, finishing 13th of 22. The team learned a great deal to take into account next year when they return. All in all, the car handled super and Justin loved the track.

 After the race we got a lot comments about the #1 H.E.A.T. Late Model and its little motor.

  H.E.A.T. is always a winner though! Announcements were made throughout the night about the H.E.A.T. Program and Justin made an extra lap after the race was over. The announcer talked about Justin, the car and motor and H.E.A.T. itself. During the drivers meeting, the track officials talked about H.E.A.T. and thanked Justin for coming. According to Senior Special Agent C.J. Fisher, H.E.A.T. Program Coordinator, the H.E.A.T. t-shirts were a hit and people were already wearing them. The H.E.A.T. Race Car and Insurance Fraud Trailer traveled 700 miles that weekend, VIN etching and racing before returning home on Sunday. The team had a super time and made some wonderful memories.