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He had the fastest car in town

Written after drag racing at Spokane RaceWay in Washington,
Labour Day Weekend, 1997.
Raider is the 1987 Mustang Convertible. I lost a wheel returning
to the pits shortly after my 106 mph run.

He had the fastest car in town
Nay, the fastest car around
Some say his foot was made of lead
And sooner or later he’d be dead.

In Spokane for the big show
At 4 o’clock he had to go
To the Raceway, to show the Yanks,
Canucks and Stangs can surely rank.

On with the dumps, off with the plates
Time trials were closing, Raider was late.
Skinnies up front and slicks in the back,
Raider was ready, she was on the attack.

With front brakes locked he did the burn
Raider was next, it was her turn
Creeping up slowly so he could stage
He kept his eyes glued to the tachometer gauge.

Popping the clutch at around 4 grand
He wanted to be fastest in the land
He didn’t know it but at that time
He broke a stud right on the line.

In less than a second he had to shift
Out of first gear, this was real swift.
Moments later he shifted again
He was beating the car in the other lane.

One more shift, the end of the quarter
Then braking hard to make the corner
The car was weaving and making a sound
Like the tire was broken, or was out of round.

Making it slowly across the lot
Raider was ailing, the wheel was shot
With a crash and a scraping the car was down
The wheel was rolling in front, on the ground.

Racing was over, at least for the night
With a 12.94 that sounded all right
At one-oh-six with the wheel staying on
He wasn't complaining though he hadn't won

At the awards that were held the next day
He was pleasantly surprised to hear them say
He had won Best Time at the strip
Despite only making that one fateful trip.

Pit-crew Barbie was elated
For the guy whom she had dated
Lost his wheel not going fast
So he’ll be around, he’s going to last.

He had the fastest car in town
Or maybe the fastest car around?
Raider is ready, for another turn
Watch Race City, they will return.