Sauter

With the checkered flag at the GNC Live Well 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway last Saturday, my second season in the NASCAR Busch Series came to a close. It was a year filled with excitement as the series visited new tracks in Kentucky, Chicago and Kansas City. It was also a very exciting year for me driving the No. 43 Quality Farm Stores/Morton Salt Chevrolets for Curb-Agajanian Motorsports.

This year, our team had the usual ups and downs that most teams experience, but there were several memorable races in particular for me. Of course, going to Texas Motor Speedway each year is exciting, because that's probably my favorite track on the Busch tour. This year, the Quality Farm Stores/Morton Salt team really gave me a strong car and I was able to finish third. It was my best finish of the season and my best career Busch Series run.

Then, getting my first pole at the new Kentucky Speedway was exciting for our entire team. To win my first Busch Series pole at our inaugural race at Kentucky made all of us very proud. Then, I had a strong ninth-place finish in the race. That entire weekend was truly one of the season highlights for me.

Of course, the run at Memphis in my last race in the Quality Farm Stores/Morton Salt car was special as well. Battling for the win with Jeff Green at the finish was exciting and, although I didn't get the victory, it really felt great leading and running up front.

Then, I had the opportunity last weekend to drive the No. 25 Marines car for Rensi Motorsports at Homestead, Fla. It was an honor to drive the Marines car on Veterans Day weekend and to represent them as they celebrated their 226th birthday.

Naturally, one of the highlights of the season came when I signed with Richard Childress Racing to co-drive the No. 21 Rockwell Automation car next year. I am excited about being back with Richard Childress and his organization and really look forward to next season.

Plus, it will be great to race with my brothers, Tim and Johnny, next year in the Busch Series. I'm sure we'll have some fun competing against each other.

Even though our on-track season is complete, there are lots of things to do in the off season to get ready for 2002. In fact, testing is only about eight weeks away, so the off season is not as long as you might think.

For now, I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my family over the holidays.

It's been an exciting season, and I'm looking for bigger and better things in the 2002 season ahead.

Busch Series driver Jay Sauter submits a weekly diary to ESPN.com throughout the season.