The first day of competition of the 2008 Diesel Power Challenge in West Valley City, Utah has just wrapped up. The weather was gorgeous, and despite a liberal application of sunscreen, I turned into a literal "redneck" today. I guess I need to slather on a little more tomorrow.

Beside the fact that all the competitors are getting along like longtime friends, and all seem to be having a great time, the other item of note that struck me is how genuinely thankful the print team seems to be to have the online team (consisting of your's truly) covering the event.

As strange as that may sound, perhaps a little background is in order. The digital division seems to be the ping-pong ball that keeps getting bounced around in all the mergers, acquisitions and consolidations that have taken place over the last several years. Logically, I should be sitting and working alongside the editors in the same office, but I work in an office about 40 miles away, with a completely separate management structure, travel budget, etc. But I digress...

Specifically, David Kennedy (on left), the editor of Diesel Power, made it a point to thank me personally for being there. Although it may seem like a minor gesture, it meant the world to me. All too often, editors take an antagonistic view toward their web staff, almost as if we're competing with them. Thankfully, it seems Mr. Kennedy sees the bigger picture, and understands we're all on the same team in the bigger sense, and that we share a common goal to continue to make Diesel Power, both the magazine, and the website, the number one Diesel enthusiast community and magazine.

I look forward to the second day of competition ahead of us, and eagerly look forward to returning to cover Diesel Power Challenge 2009!