Off to the Races!

The weekend of 5/13/11  we drove down to Dover, DE for our annual NASCAR race trip and this year Grandpa Roger went with us. We made the trip there in record time and were there in time to watch the practice sessions for all three series as well as the truck series qualifying. Of all the race tracks I have been to the Monster Mile is one of my favorites. As it's name suggests the track is a one mile track with plenty of banking and a concrete surface. So far every time we have made the trip my favorite driver, Kyle Busch has won at least one of the races during the weekend and this was the first time we were watching him race as an owner of the #18 truck.

Friday was a beautiful May day with lots of sunshine. We sat at the top of the grandstands so we could enjoy the cool breeze as well as the shade from the luxury suites behind us. Kyle started the race in position # 3 and Ariel's favorite driver (Kevin Harvick) started in position #2. Our family definitely likes the drivers who have colorful personalities and Kyle and Kevin lead that group!

The race was fast paced and full of action which kept us on the edge of our seats most of the race. To my delight Kyle won the race after leading 123 of the 200 laps. Kevin also had a great finish within the top 5. After leaving the track we went back to our Hotel and the kids and I went for a nice swim in the Hotel Pool. When we got back to the room we all enjoyed our annual treat of Domino's Pizza. For some strange reason we all crave it when we go to the races so I figure once a year it's allowed!

The next morning we woke up ready for another full day of racing! We had breakfast at the hotel then stopped at the store to fill up the cooler with treats. Just as we were getting off the highway next to the track it started to rain. By the time we parked and began making our way into the track the skies opened up and we all began to wonder if the remainder of the weekend would be washed out. Despite the rain we made the best of our time together and when the rain lightened up we took turns stomping in the puddles and worked our way around the souvenir haulers picking up miscellaneous goodies.

The sky was dark and gloomy but to our surprise we heard the jet driers fire up in the distance, the good thing about concrete and all the banking they can dry the track in about 90 minutes.  We made our way back to the grandstands which were much cooler than they were the day before. It actually felt like an early spring day which forced me and Alex to head back to the truck so we could change into some dry clothing. Thankfully I got an amazing deal on a fire suit style jacket so not only was I warm I was sporting my drivers colors!

Just like the day before the Nationwide race was full of action from start to finish. Kyle's car was good but didn't seem to have what it needed to get to the front and every time he made progress something would send him to the back of the field. At the end of the race there were several cautions which sent the race into overtime with multiple attempts at a "Green, White, Checkered finish" As the cars came out of turn 4 in front of us Carl Edwards and Joey Logano made contact which triggered a huge multi-car crash. I love racing and there is a part of me that enjoys watching cars beat and bang on each other but I had a lump in my chest after watching cars flip over at 150mph in front of me and I actually sat down and said a prayer for each of the drivers involved. Thankfully everyone was able to get out of their cars (more like wads of crumpled metal at this point) 

Once we knew all the drivers were okay we were able to celebrate the fact that even though he didn't win our driver ended up finishing 2nd! He managed to weave his way through the wreck and was challenging for the lead at the end of the race.

Throughout the summer we took several more trips to our local short tracks as well as trips to New Hampshire for the Cup and Truck races. While racing may not be everyone's idea of a good time I will tell you don't knock it till you try it. There is something about the smell of racing fuel in the air, the roar of the engines and the vibration you feel in your chest each time they speed past you!