[Dr K]

Found the problem:
For those of you around on Sunday mid-day, we had an issue I noticed when I went out for the 2nd Black session. The car was wandering and requiring constant steering correction, and also had a long brake pedal the first push (stopped the car fine) and was fine the second push. Came in the first lap. Steering wheel seemed tightly connected to the wheels (that it, it seemed good) so we put the car up on the trailer and called it a day. VG suggested perhaps a wheel was loose and wobbling of the rotor in the caliper was pushing back the brake pads, causing the long pedal. When I got the car on the lift last night, I only had enough energy to feel the front bearings, and the front right was perfect, but the front left gave a bigger "click" than I like despite the fact that I tightened it last Thursday night. Under the car tonight, all suspension bolts were tight and the ball joints seemed fine, too. Pushing on the strut/insert covers revealed a tight fit on right, but some movement on the left. I had already called Matt de Maria and arranged to have him look at the car tomorrow, so we decided to bleed the brakes. Well, Ben noticed the rear left wheel was loose - really loose, and the big nut was at least 2 threads less tight then the one on the right side (which was tight). Since the car came without axles, I know these were torqued when I put them on--I've never heard of one of those nuts backing off. I put it back as tight as I could with my impact driver, and will have Matt assess the bearing (I have a replacement in case it was damaged) and also that front insert, both on the driver's side.

Then, drop the engine because I'm still with a messed-up 3rd gear and will need to assess and order parts. Busy, busy, busy...

Thanks to VG, TR, Matt, and OldTee for advice during this. And again, HUGE thanks to Hoophead for his transmission help!!!