Vroom Vroom Vroom Vroom Vroom...I love NASCAR!
Okay. So. Got up at 5:15 to get ready to leave for the track. We got up there about 6:30-ish and Matt and I headed over to stand in line for a ticket for Clint Bowyer's autograph. I didn't think we were gonna get one, because the line was fairly long and they were only giving away 100 ticktets. BUT, we each got one, and it looked like they only had about 10-15 more left to give out, so...we lucked out. I also noticed the hero cards at the end of the hauler, so...I didn't even have to spend money for that autograph. Whee! Instead of going back to the car like I had orginally planned, Matt and I walked around for awhile to do some shopping.
While at Rookie's hauler, I noticed a couple of people camped out next to Robby Gordon's hauler and looked and realized that he was doing a signing too, no ticket needed as usually. He wasn't due for another hour, so we walked around for about 15-20 minutes before coming back and getting in line. Robby was a little bit late and when he came by we were taking pictures of him. Right when he walked past Matty he went 'Raaa' and poked Matt in the stomach. Pretty cool, hm? So, we got Robby's autograph and pictures with him, then headed up to get in line for Clint's autograph.
Not quite as exciting this time, because by the time I noticed him, he was past us. I was too busy looking at the Clydesdales. You know how I am....I love those horses! Clint was cool though. The only problem is that they didn't have steps like they do at Robby's, and he doesn't really lean over to get good pictures. It was cool, though, because my parents were talking to his cousin out in front of the hauler. They asked him what Clint thought of all these people who came up for his autograph decked out in other driver's gear. He said that doesn't bother him, but what gets to him is when people bring up things like pictures of OTHER drivers for him to sign. Okay, seriously, who the hell does that shit?
After we got Clint, my parents and Matty went to take the cooler and chairs up to the hillside. (Side note: they took one of the golf carts for disabled people because my mom has a broken foot. On the way over, Robby was behind them driving HIS cart...he'd pull up close, then back off, etc. Mom asked him if he wanted to race, he said sure. So mom was like 'We win' Robby said 'Nuh-uh' and mom say 'Uh-huh, we're in front.' So Robby was like, fine, you win for now, but I'm going to pass you) If I'd have known then what I know now, I'd have gone along and things would have went MUCH smoother to get into the pits.
That's right...you read that correctly...I WENT INTO THE PITS! After my dad helped mom and Matt get up to the hillside, he came back over to meet me at Gate 3 to redeem our pit passes. Well, after you redeem them, you have to get over to Gate 8 to go in...which is over on the other side of hillside. Which means...we could have redeemed our pit passes, rode over with Matt and mom, and gone straight down to Gate 8...which would have saved us a lot of time and energy.
We FINALLY got into the pits (after feeling like rats in a maze). OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. I stood in Martin's pits. I took pictures of the back of Junior's pits. THEY ROLLED THE BUD CAR RIGHT FREAKING PAST ME. I...was in heaven. I want to go in the pits, again. BTW...did y'all know, that pit wall is NOT as tall as it looks on TV. It like...barely came to my ankles! I took 2 rolls of film in the pits...48 pictures JUST IN THE PITS! Of a bunch of the cars, and the pits, and of victory lane, and of the start finish line, of me signing the start finish line, of WHERE I signed the start finish line (the start finish line now has a little place that says 'Go Junior. <3, Amanda'.), I took a picture of the front of the stage, of the back of the stage. OMG, it was so awesome!!!!
I'd love to write a bunch about the race, but..I know you all saw it, and know the outcome. There's really not a whole lot to say other than, I LOVE being at a race live. Phrases of the day (all from other fans, not from me) include:
(During driver introductions...Kyle Busch) "You suck!"
(During driver introductions...Kurt Busch) "You suck more!"
"Come on Jimmie, hit the wall, you've got enough laps left, you can do it!"
AFTER the race is where it gets fun. Remember back in April when I wrote that we found out where the drivers come out at? Well, we went and stood down there to watch them all come out.
% Almost got run over by Bill Elliott
% Matt Kenseth was in an SUV about 5 feet away from me (he made sure the doors were locked when he saw all the fans)
%Tony Stewart is an ass who doesn't acknowledge the fans (golf cart)
% Ditto that on Jeff Gordon (golf cart)
% And Jimmie Johnson
% And Kyle Busch (golf cart)
% And Ryan Newman- he hid his face behind his hand so nobody could take his picture (in a car)
% Richard Petty smiles and waves out of his car. He's awesome.
% I was on the wrong side to get a picture of Martin Truex Jr. He had his girlfriend on his lap
% I got a picture of Tony Eury Jr. (golf cart)
% I was on the wrong side to get Elliott Sadler, too (golf cart)
% Kenny Wallace smiles and waves (golf cart)
% I saw Martin's motorcoach and personal truck
% Carl Edwards was eating a peanut butter sandwhich, and said Hi to Tiff
Oh, but the highlight...the HIGHLIGHT of standing over there. Kasey Kahne came through, the passenger in an SUV. Matt was standing there just waving away to him. In fact, we were all waving, but Matt was waving like a maniac. Kasey motions for someone to come over, and everyone was trying to figure out who he wanted. Some hoochie in a tanktop goes bouncing over, and Kasey shook his head, rolled down the window and pointed. The girl looks at Matt and goes "He wants you." So, me being the good chaperone I am, walk over with him. Kasey handed Matt an autographed hat.
Kasey Kahne. Picked the kid I was with out of a crowd. Personally called him over to the car. And gave him an autographed hat.
Kasey has earned SO many points in my book that it's not even funny, and he's earned himself a brand new fan in Matty.
I've been to five races, now, and today...being able to take Matt to his first race, and see all the cool stuff that happened to him....I think this ranks up there as one of the best races I've ever been to.
Oh, and...I got my face painted. Then I was in the sun all day. I have an 8 suntanned on my face. *grin*
While at Rookie's hauler, I noticed a couple of people camped out next to Robby Gordon's hauler and looked and realized that he was doing a signing too, no ticket needed as usually. He wasn't due for another hour, so we walked around for about 15-20 minutes before coming back and getting in line. Robby was a little bit late and when he came by we were taking pictures of him. Right when he walked past Matty he went 'Raaa' and poked Matt in the stomach. Pretty cool, hm? So, we got Robby's autograph and pictures with him, then headed up to get in line for Clint's autograph.
Not quite as exciting this time, because by the time I noticed him, he was past us. I was too busy looking at the Clydesdales. You know how I am....I love those horses! Clint was cool though. The only problem is that they didn't have steps like they do at Robby's, and he doesn't really lean over to get good pictures. It was cool, though, because my parents were talking to his cousin out in front of the hauler. They asked him what Clint thought of all these people who came up for his autograph decked out in other driver's gear. He said that doesn't bother him, but what gets to him is when people bring up things like pictures of OTHER drivers for him to sign. Okay, seriously, who the hell does that shit?
After we got Clint, my parents and Matty went to take the cooler and chairs up to the hillside. (Side note: they took one of the golf carts for disabled people because my mom has a broken foot. On the way over, Robby was behind them driving HIS cart...he'd pull up close, then back off, etc. Mom asked him if he wanted to race, he said sure. So mom was like 'We win' Robby said 'Nuh-uh' and mom say 'Uh-huh, we're in front.' So Robby was like, fine, you win for now, but I'm going to pass you) If I'd have known then what I know now, I'd have gone along and things would have went MUCH smoother to get into the pits.
That's right...you read that correctly...I WENT INTO THE PITS! After my dad helped mom and Matt get up to the hillside, he came back over to meet me at Gate 3 to redeem our pit passes. Well, after you redeem them, you have to get over to Gate 8 to go in...which is over on the other side of hillside. Which means...we could have redeemed our pit passes, rode over with Matt and mom, and gone straight down to Gate 8...which would have saved us a lot of time and energy.
We FINALLY got into the pits (after feeling like rats in a maze). OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. I stood in Martin's pits. I took pictures of the back of Junior's pits. THEY ROLLED THE BUD CAR RIGHT FREAKING PAST ME. I...was in heaven. I want to go in the pits, again. BTW...did y'all know, that pit wall is NOT as tall as it looks on TV. It like...barely came to my ankles! I took 2 rolls of film in the pits...48 pictures JUST IN THE PITS! Of a bunch of the cars, and the pits, and of victory lane, and of the start finish line, of me signing the start finish line, of WHERE I signed the start finish line (the start finish line now has a little place that says 'Go Junior. <3, Amanda'.), I took a picture of the front of the stage, of the back of the stage. OMG, it was so awesome!!!!
I'd love to write a bunch about the race, but..I know you all saw it, and know the outcome. There's really not a whole lot to say other than, I LOVE being at a race live. Phrases of the day (all from other fans, not from me) include:
(During driver introductions...Kyle Busch) "You suck!"
(During driver introductions...Kurt Busch) "You suck more!"
"Come on Jimmie, hit the wall, you've got enough laps left, you can do it!"
AFTER the race is where it gets fun. Remember back in April when I wrote that we found out where the drivers come out at? Well, we went and stood down there to watch them all come out.
% Almost got run over by Bill Elliott
% Matt Kenseth was in an SUV about 5 feet away from me (he made sure the doors were locked when he saw all the fans)
%Tony Stewart is an ass who doesn't acknowledge the fans (golf cart)
% Ditto that on Jeff Gordon (golf cart)
% And Jimmie Johnson
% And Kyle Busch (golf cart)
% And Ryan Newman- he hid his face behind his hand so nobody could take his picture (in a car)
% Richard Petty smiles and waves out of his car. He's awesome.
% I was on the wrong side to get a picture of Martin Truex Jr. He had his girlfriend on his lap
% I got a picture of Tony Eury Jr. (golf cart)
% I was on the wrong side to get Elliott Sadler, too (golf cart)
% Kenny Wallace smiles and waves (golf cart)
% I saw Martin's motorcoach and personal truck
% Carl Edwards was eating a peanut butter sandwhich, and said Hi to Tiff
Oh, but the highlight...the HIGHLIGHT of standing over there. Kasey Kahne came through, the passenger in an SUV. Matt was standing there just waving away to him. In fact, we were all waving, but Matt was waving like a maniac. Kasey motions for someone to come over, and everyone was trying to figure out who he wanted. Some hoochie in a tanktop goes bouncing over, and Kasey shook his head, rolled down the window and pointed. The girl looks at Matt and goes "He wants you." So, me being the good chaperone I am, walk over with him. Kasey handed Matt an autographed hat.
Kasey Kahne. Picked the kid I was with out of a crowd. Personally called him over to the car. And gave him an autographed hat.
Kasey has earned SO many points in my book that it's not even funny, and he's earned himself a brand new fan in Matty.
I've been to five races, now, and today...being able to take Matt to his first race, and see all the cool stuff that happened to him....I think this ranks up there as one of the best races I've ever been to.
Oh, and...I got my face painted. Then I was in the sun all day. I have an 8 suntanned on my face. *grin*