06/14/2026
Quite the story!
Team Update & Photo Dump
We haven’t shared much about it publicly, but now that things are headed in the right direction, we wanted to provide an update on what has been a very challenging few weeks.
On our trip home from the Shreveport Red River Rumble, we experienced a major trailer failure on Highway 82 near Paris, Texas. Several wheel studs sheared off, causing the wheels to separate from the trailer. The resulting damage led to additional tire blowouts, and the trailer dropped off the edge of the pavement. The impact ripped the entire rear door assembly from the trailer, leaving it on the shoulder of the highway. In all reality, the trailer was very close to being a total loss.
I ended up spending the night in the truck in a church parking lot in Petty, Texas, after having my wife and daughter picked up and driven home while figuring out the next steps. During that time, several incredibly kind local residents stopped to check on me and offer assistance. One of those was Brian Anderson of OutKast Construction in Roxton, Texas, and we can’t thank him enough for stepping up to help.
Brian now has the trailer at his shop, where it is undergoing a complete overhaul. The upgrades include reinforced undercarriage framing, larger and stronger axles, heavy-duty 14-ply tires, straightening and reinforcing the trailer walls, and installing an internal framework to add rigidity and strength. The rear door is also being rebuilt and reattached far better than it was when it originally left the Haulmark factory.
As if the trailer issues weren’t enough, our Dodge Mega Cab tow rig decided it wanted some attention as well. During the same trip home, a front brake caliper locked up, completely destroying the left front rotor and brake pads. Shortly afterward, the transmission lost 1st and 2nd gears for most of the drive. After replacing the brakes and rebuilding the transmission, the engine developed severe blow-by, which appears to be the result of a failed piston ring. At that point, it became clear the truck was telling us it had earned retirement.
After many miles of faithful service, we’ve decided to retire the old girl to a much easier life of checking cows, running errands, and enjoying a slower pace. In the meantime, we picked up a new tow rig this week and are already working on getting it set up for race duty.
The goal is to have both the newly upgraded trailer and the new haul truck fully prepared and ready to hit the road for Alton, Illinois.
They say when it rains, it pours, and this stretch has certainly tested us. But we’re thankful for the friends, family, sponsors, and complete strangers who have stepped up to help along the way. Challenges are part of racing, and while this one happened off the water, we’re determined to come back stronger than ever.
Thank you to everyone who has checked in, offered assistance, and supported Green Marine Motorsports through it all. We’ll see you in Alton. 🏁💚🖤
I tagged our team sponsors in this post. Their support of our team is crucial and very much appreciated. Please visit their social media, like their post and patronize their businesses if you can. If not, just thanking them for supporting our team and keeping #63 on the water would mean the world to us.
