Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

[RVGal]

Sunday, February 17, 2008

We were up around 7am and I enjoyed a long, hot shower. Such a luxury when you don't have to worry about what the kids are getting into while I'm taking a shower

We made use of the free breakfast again. Not bad, really. No hot foods (unless you want to count toast or a bagel in the toaster), but plenty to choose from. Fresh fruit (whole and cut), pastries, yogurt, juices, coffee, cereal, milk, etc. The usual stuff.

We wanted to head over to the track early to make good use of our Fan Zone passes. Tim wanted to go early too. Bruce & John were still on the drive over from Cocoa Beach. Leta & Mike... well... you know the routine by now. Mike still needed time to get ready and he might need to eat more and blah, blah. Brad & I, along with Tim, decided to head for the track and told everyone else we'd see them at the seats.

Walking to the track:

Yes, we were very happy that we weren't in that bumper to bumper traffic!

Now that we knew where the gate at Turn 1 was, it was a much shorter walk. Probably more like 10 minutes. Just inside the turn 1 gate is the tram center, where trams will take you either to the infield (Fan Zone) or to the back stretch.

We caught a tram to the infield.

Brad and Tim:

Me and Brad:

You will notice that I am wearing a full tshirt and hat. No more chances on sunburns! I normally sleep in this tshirt and the hat is not mine, but it kept me from burning, so I won't complain.

The Sprint Fan Zone was really cool. They have windows on the sides of all the garages, so you get to take a peek inside and see them working on the cars.

Greg Biffle's crew:

Denny Hamlin's:

We climbed the stairs to the Fan Deck on top of the garages.

They had a full bar on the Fan Deck...

... but since it was only 10am, I wasn't quite ready to indulge just yet.

I thought this was a neat picture. The Sprint Vision (in track network) people passed us on the Fan Deck and I got a shot of them filming and on screen.

We worked our way across the deck and down to the other row of garages.

Mark Martin's car:

I thought this was a good shot. These crew members are all digging around in the tool box. This is one BIG tool box!

Michael Waltrip's car:

For those of you who watch The Best Damn Sports Show on Fox Sports, John Salley was there.

And he interviewed Mario Andretti.

We strolled around and found (a replica of) Kasey Kane's car.

The stage had live music all day.

I decided I was getting hungry and needed a break from the walking and heat, so we got in line at Checkers (or Rallys, depending on what part of the country it is).

We found a nice spot in the shade to enjoy our lunch. We decided to walk out on the track and on the way we passed the "Hollywood Hotel" where the Fox guys broadcast from for the Fox coverage races (the first half of the season).

We passed the "tribute" stage where they had the car that won the first Daytona 500 and the car that won last year's Daytona 500 on either side of it. I thought that was a kinda neat way to show the 50th anniversary.

One of the things that took me by surprise is how sloped the track is, even at the start/finish line. You expect the banking in the turns, but here we are on the track about 50 feet away from the start/finish.

And looking back toward turn 4:

We found Victory Lane, but it was closed off.

We also found Jeff Hammond, one of the Fox and/or Speed channel racing sportscasters.

We were getting overly hot and tired, so we decided to catch the tram back to our seats. We joked that it was like being at Disney World. We had to wait in cattle lines to get on a tram.

 

[loribell]

What??? No pics of my car? I'm hyperventilating here!!!!!! J/K

It looks like so much fun! I want to be your new racing buddy please??????? I promise I won't bring along a Mike!

 

[RVGal]

What??? No pics of my car? I'm hyperventilating here!!!!!! J/K

It looks like so much fun! I want to be your new racing buddy please??????? I promise I won't bring along a Mike!

I couldn't get anywhere near the windows of Jeff Gordon's garage... or Dale Jr's... or Jimmie Johnson's...

Next time I go to an out of town race, you're invited!

 

[loribell]

I couldn't get anywhere near the windows of Jeff Gordon's garage... or Dale Jr's... or Jimmie Johnson's...

Next time I go to an out of town race, you're invited!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bubba's mom]

Sunday, February 17, 2008

We were up around 7am and I enjoyed a long, hot shower. Such a luxury when you don't have to worry about what the kids are getting into while I'm taking a shower

I'm glad you enjoyed your shower....not that I worry about your kids while you're in there....

We wanted to head over to the track early to make good use of our Fan Zone passes. Tim wanted to go early too. Bruce & John were still on the drive over from Cocoa Beach. Leta & Mike... well... you know the routine by now. Mike still needed time to get ready and he might need to eat more and blah, blah. Brad & I, along with Tim, decided to head for the track and told everyone else we'd see them at the seats.

And.....(not surprising), this is the last we hear of Mike & Leta on "race day" (thus far anyhows)

Walking to the track:

okay...i give up! What is with the lady (?) on the corner? She selling? Buying? What's HER story?

We caught a tram to the infield.

Me and Brad:

You will notice that I am wearing a full tshirt and hat. No more chances on sunburns! I normally sleep in this tshirt and the hat is not mine, but it kept me from burning, so I won't complain.

Ya know...when I saw this pic, the VERY FIRST thing I thought was, "Good girl...wearing sleeves and a hat" ...i swear to God I thought that! (Good thinkin' takin' the tram too )

The Sprint Fan Zone was really cool. They have windows on the sides of all the garages, so you get to take a peek inside and see them working on the cars.

Okay...that's kewl...didn't know ya could do that

They had a full bar on the Fan Deck...

I thought this was a neat picture. The Sprint Vision (in track network) people passed us on the Fan Deck and I got a shot of them filming and on screen.

Okay....I didn't know there was BOOZE on top of the garages ....this trippie just keeps getting kewler and kewler

I would concur....awesome shot of the media (didja get to flash on tv?)

We passed the "tribute" stage where they had the car that won the first Daytona 500 and the car that won last year's Daytona 500 on either side of it. I thought that was a kinda neat way to show the 50th anniversary.

i will agree ...this was a way cool idea!

One of the things that took me by surprise is how sloped the track is, even at the start/finish line. You expect the banking in the turns, but here we are on the track about 50 feet away from the start/finish.

And looking back toward turn 4:

Well....ya gotta know...if YOU are shocked, then I am I always thought it was sloped like that because of the 'camera' angle Shows ya what I know AND, I noticed Brad stood "uphill" on you....makes him look taller.... That is wicked tho....interesting....

We were getting overly hot and tired, so we decided to catch the tram back to our seats. We joked that it was like being at Disney World. We had to wait in cattle lines to get on a tram.

whoopsie!





Sounds like race day is off to a GREAT start! I am really enjoying this story..... and I'm learning SO much too!

 

[JawsCPA]

I couldn't get anywhere near the windows of Jeff Gordon's garage... or Dale Jr's... or Jimmie Johnson's...

Next time I go to an out of town race, you're invited!

But you did get a pic of my 3M-Postit Note guy. Thanks.

Did Mike and Leta see the race. I can't imagine paying that much for tix and not using them. (only saw the end of the pre-race and didn't go to fan zone)

 

[RVGal]

I'm glad you enjoyed your shower....not that I worry about your kids while you're in there....

HA!

I think I started that sentance with one thought in my head and ended with another, so I changed from the generic "you" to the personal "I" midstream.

okay...i give up! What is with the lady (?) on the corner? She selling? Buying? What's HER story?

Don't ask me to remember if it is a he or she, but it was a scalper. They were all along the road to the track. "Anybody got extra tickets to sell?" "Anybody need tickets?"

There were also Florida State Patrol and local police and deputies ALL OVER the place. I don't know what the laws are in Florida, but I guess they aren't strict on scalping.

Okay....I didn't know there was BOOZE on top of the garages ....this trippie just keeps getting kewler and kewler

I would concur....awesome shot of the media (didja get to flash on tv?)

No flashing by me. There was one woman in our section that was beyond drunk. Seriously. She could barely stand. She flashed everyone shortly before she barfed on the seat next to her. She was then escorted from the building by EMTs and police.

 

[RVGal]

Did Mike and Leta see the race. I can't imagine paying that much for tix and not using them. (only saw the end of the pre-race and didn't go to fan zone)

They did make it for the race. They didn't get to enjoy the Fan Zone much, and Leta complained that she wasted almost $200 on those passes (Fan Zone passes are $90 each), but they did make it in time to see the start of the race.

 

[RVGal]

After the tram ride around the track, we hoofed it to our section and then climbed the butt kicking stairs. How hot was it?

Yeah, we were sweating. We enjoyed some of the pre-race festivities.

Finally, it was time for driver introductions. I tried to get pictures of all the drivers that a homie had picked, but I don't think I managed. Here's the ones I did get.

Greg Biffle:

Mark Martin:

Carl Edwards:

Kasey Kahne:
Okay, nobody picked him, but I thought Penny would enjoy seeing him anyway...

Tony Stewart:

Jeff Gordon:

Michael Waltrip:

Dale Earnhardt Jr:

Jimmie Johnson:

I missed him on the screen, but Clint Bowyer:

Another shot of Kasey:

And Jeff:

I thought this was funny. There was a flock of seagulls (wait... I'm picturing that band from the 80s... okay, I'm back...) settled just off the track and these trucks kept trying to drive through them and chase them off.

The guy sitting behind us told me that seagulls are a real problem at Daytona. Drivers have had wrecks because the birds fly around, so they try to disperse them before the races start.

 

[loribell]

HA!

I think I started that sentance with one thought in my head and ended with another, so I changed from the generic "you" to the personal "I" midstream.

No flashing by me. There was one woman in our section that was beyond drunk. Seriously. She could barely stand. She flashed everyone shortly before she barfed on the seat next to her. She was then escorted from the building by EMTs and police.

Ewwwwwwwwwww!

They did make it for the race. They didn't get to enjoy the Fan Zone much, and Leta complained that she wasted almost $200 on those passes (Fan Zone passes are $90 each), but they did make it in time to see the start of the race.

After the tram ride around the track, we hoofed it to our section and then climbed the butt kicking stairs. How hot was it?

Yeah, we were sweating. We enjoyed some of the pre-race festivities.

Finally, it was time for driver introductions. I tried to get pictures of all the drivers that a homie had picked, but I don't think I managed. Here's the ones I did get.

Jeff Gordon:

Dale Earnhardt Jr:

Jimmie Johnson:

And Jeff:

Wow you were hot!

Thanks for the pics of my guys!

I thought this was funny. There was a flock of seagulls (wait... I'm picturing that band from the 80s... okay, I'm back...) settled just off the track and these trucks kept trying to drive through them and chase them off.

The guy sitting behind us told me that seagulls are a real problem at Daytona. Drivers have had wrecks because the birds fly around, so they try to disperse them before the races start.

[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I went to the band for a second too!

 

[RVGal]

Yeah, I went to the band for a second too!

I think that anyone who is old enough to remember the 80s goes there whenever they hear the phrase "flock of seagulls"...

 

[bubba's mom]

There were also Florida State Patrol and local police and deputies ALL OVER the place. I don't know what the laws are in Florida, but I guess they aren't strict on scalping.

In PA I (think) it's legal to resell tickets...as long as it's not a certain amount OVER face value ...but, not sure on that....

They did make it for the race. They didn't get to enjoy the Fan Zone much, and Leta complained that she wasted almost $200 on those passes (Fan Zone passes are $90 each), but they did make it in time to see the start of the race.

That's a shame....I woulda been hot too .....she shoulda left him and went with you guys....

Finally, it was time for driver introductions. I tried to get pictures of all the drivers that a homie had picked, but I don't think I managed. Here's the ones I did get.

Greg Biffle:

Mark Martin:

Carl Edwards:

Kasey Kahne:
Okay, nobody picked him, but I thought Penny would enjoy seeing him anyway...

Tony Stewart:

Jeff Gordon:

Michael Waltrip:

Dale Earnhardt Jr:

Jimmie Johnson:

I missed him on the screen, but Clint Bowyer:

Hey...you did pretty good gettin' the 'homie pix' Of course MY guy has to be the ONLY one NOT waving! Geez....

I thought this was funny. There was a flock of seagulls (wait... I'm picturing that band from the 80s... okay, I'm back...) settled just off the track and these trucks kept trying to drive through them and chase them off.

The guy sitting behind us told me that seagulls are a real problem at Daytona. Drivers have had wrecks because the birds fly around, so they try to disperse them before the races start.

I can believe they are a problem....flying rats! Kewl job tho...huh?

"What do you do for a living?"

"Chase seagulls"

And yes...I thought of the band too

 

[RVGal]

I can believe they are a problem....flying rats! Kewl job tho...huh?

"What do you do for a living?"

"Chase seagulls"

I thought the SAME thing! I told Brad, "How do you list that on your resume?"

 

[RVGal]

The pre-race show finally started. They were doing a "through the years" type deal to honor the 50th anniversary of the race. First up, Chubby Checker:

Next, Michael McDonald:

Then, Kool & the Gang:

And, last, Brooks & Dunn:

While the musicians were playing, they had several of the past winners of the Daytona 500 driving around the track. It was really neat. Forgive the quality of some of these pics, but I was having to try to shoot around the people in front of us that felt the need to "toast" and "woo hoo" almost every car as it drove past.

Trisha Yearwood sang the National Anthem:

And the Thuderbirds did a flyby:

They set off some fireworks, but in the daylight I don't know why?

As the cracks and booms were dying down, my cell phone rang. It was Leta. They were downstairs below us and wanted to know if they could bring anything up. Welllll... since you're offering... grab me as many rum & cokes as they will sell you and bucket of beer for Brad.

 

[bubba's mom]

The pre-race show finally started. They were doing a "through the years" type deal to honor the 50th anniversary of the race. First up, Chubby Checker:

Next, Michael McDonald:

Then, Kool & the Gang:

And, last, Brooks & Dunn:

very kewl idea!

Trisha Yearwood sang the National Anthem:

And the Thuderbirds did a flyby:

They set off some fireworks, but in the daylight I don't know why?

I saw all that...actually caught it on tv..it was very nice....TriSHA did a good job singing too.... Oh...and I'm guessing the fireworks were "cuz they had the money and could do it"

As the cracks and booms were dying down, my cell phone rang. It was Leta. They were downstairs below us and wanted to know if they could bring anything up. Welllll... since you're offering... grab me as many rum & cokes as they will sell you and bucket of beer for Brad.

Well...I guess she really was about wasting the money on the Fan tickets...that's a shame I would be SO mad...I prolly woulda kicked him to the curb.... Waiting to hear how many R&C's she brought you

 

[loribell]

Hey that was my guy again!

Another great installment.

 

[RVGal]

The pace laps started and the weather was (fortunately) overcast.

Leta & Mike made it to their seats just before the drop of the green flag. They would only sell 2 mixed drinks to anybody at a time, so they each bought me 2 rum & cokes. They looked so funny carrying a cardboard drink tray with 4 rum & cokes in it! They will, however, sell you all the beer you want at a time. That makes NO sense to me. Like you can't get just as hammered from beer? Whatever. They bought a bucket of ice with 5 beers shoved in it. I think it cost us $1200. Just kidding! The mixed drinks were $7 each and the beer was $5 per (tall) can... plus $3 for the bucket of ice. Yeah, that's a $50 tab for not all that much, but what the heck. Not like we do this every day, right?

Leta & Mike:

One of the things about the Daytona 500 that confuses me is why they start it so late in the afternoon. Usually, the start time for a race is either early enough in the day that the race will be done before sunset, or the start time is late enough that the race runs entirely after suset. Daytona starts late enough in the afternoon that the sun sets DURING the race.

That's got to be tough for the drivers to see. I don't get it.

There were several cautions late in the race. Here is the last restart...

And Ryan Newman celebrating his win...

It had be awhile since Newman's last win, so he was very emotional.

We hung around being stupid while we waited for the crowds to thin out.

We finally filed out with the last of the crowd, caught the shuttle back to the front, and walked back toward the hotel. We stopped at Subway to grab some food and then called it a night.

We were up at a reasonable time the next morning and decided to have a big breakfast before we hit the road.

Ah, yes... the Sunshine Skillet. I'm kinda glad we don't have Bob Evans around here or I'd be tempted too often.

We hit the road along with a huge number of RVs.

We made it back home about 4:30pm, which meant we were able to spring Maggie Dog from the kennel before they closed. Everyone was very happy to see us. I heard from both of Brad's parents, my mom, Carol, AND Deb... all about how very exhausted they were. I told Brad later that I found it amusing that FIVE people were exhausted after 3 days of doing what I do all day every day.

It was a great trip... probably a once in a lifetime trip for us... and we had a fabulous time. Even though it was a very short getaway, it was a much needed break from our routine. We'll live off these memories for awhile.

 

[JawsCPA]

I think that anyone who is old enough to remember the 80s goes there whenever they hear the phrase "flock of seagulls"...

And I raaaann, I ran so far awaaaayyyy!

 

[JawsCPA]

We made it back home about 4:30pm, which meant we were able to spring Maggie Dog from the kennel before they closed. Everyone was very happy to see us. I heard from both of Brad's parents, my mom, Carol, AND Deb... all about how very exhausted they were. I told Brad later that I found it amusing that FIVE people were exhausted after 3 days of doing what I do all day every day.

Amen sister. Let's see a stay-at home mom with 2 children under 6 who works part time in her husband's business and does all the paperwork/bookkeeping. Oh yeah - your 5 people didn't do the working in the RV business while they were gone, did they?? Obviously, you deserved a break and looks like you got one. So glad you had a nice trip.

 

[bubba's mom]

What? That's the end??? No more???