"Big" Joe Lombardi's Backseat Driver: P.J. Egbert gets blessed news, win at Texas Thunder Posted On: Monday, Jun. 8 2009 05:41 AM P.J. Egbert was in a hurry Saturday night and it's not hard to understand why.

The defending IMCA Modified national champion found out minutes before heading out to seek career modified win No. 95, that his other half was on her way to a Ft. Worth hospital, preparing to deliver the couple's new son.

Hearing that undoubtedly lent an air of urgency to his mindset and the 'Kempner Kid' didn't let any mud accumulate on his tires.

After only a few laps, Egbert and Cham Savage Jr. were locked in a battle for Lampasas County bragging rights with Savage setting the early pace, but Egbert wasn't to be denied on this night of nights.

He calmly waited until the time was right, passed the leader, weathered another caution flag or two, cruised to Victory Lane, accepted his trophy, told the crowd what was going on and lit out for Cowtown.

Just when I start thinking I've seen and heard everything at the oval, something new crops up.

This is the first time in my 11-plus years out there that I can remember a driver's baby coming due during a feature race.

Tell me this wouldn't be a good plot to begin a new series of romance novels about dirt track racing. We could call it ... "A Texas Thunder Daily Double."

Do you reckon Harlequin would sign on?

They do it for NASCAR, you know.

Bottom line ... we're all happy for P.J. and his lady.

I guess we'll find out all the specs, like length, weight and name this week.

Speaking of babies, our chief scorekeeper Jennifer Perry and significant other Ben Ketteman, who'll be back driving modifieds once his surgically repaired shoulder heals, will find out today if they'll be blessed with a "mini-Benny" or a "mini-Jenny."

Jen said it doesn't matter to them, as long as the new racer-to-be is healthy.

In the IMCA Southern Sport Mod feature, Mike McDougal's car didn't look too healthy at the end, but it got him to the winner's circle, despite having the right-side sheet metal peeled back after tangling with another driver.

It reminded me of something from a Transformer movie, where the bad-guy robot takes a can opener to one of the good guys.

The IMCA Stock Car feature was a total turnaround from a week earlier, where caution flags seemed the norm instead of the exception. In a race devoid of drama, David Dunn took the win.

Chris Florio was leading the Street Stock feature in its late stages, until something happened, which I didn't see, that wound up getting him disqualified for rough driving. The win went to Bill Siegman, who emerged victorious from a 21-car starting field.

Texas Twister wins were scored by Keith Desmarais and T.J. Yagalla.

Capping the night, for me anyway, was a homecoming of sorts for two fan favorites from my early days at the track.

It was good to see Dixi Longfellow, who was a power in the old Thunder Stock bomber class and Street Stock veteran Dan Masquelier.

Dan used to drive the No. 32 car, which, even though the paint scheme was different, bore a striking resemblance to the one Bill Siegman won in.

I asked Dan if that was his old car. He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

Later, I wanted to know when Dixi was going to build another car and get back out here.

She also smiled and said "Maybe next year."

Bring it on, Thunder Mama!

See ya at the track!