While on a business trip to Florida I stayed over a couple of days so we could go see the track. I have only seen in person tracks no longer than 1 mile long. So it was my chance to see one of the biggest of all, the 2 and half mile long Daytona International Speedway. We went through and looked at everything in the Daytona Experience. We also learned that the Richard Petty Driving Experience was at the track for the day as well coincidentally. Our tour guide talked about how any one could do a ride-a-long for a few dollars. Of course I am frugal and initially discounted trying it, but Kathy was persistent and talked me into it. Why not? You only live once!
It was quite exciting to be out there hangin on as that car bounced all over the place at 170mph. I was happy to have my HANS device on so my head wasn’t bobbing all over on the bumps. The biggest moment has the first time down the backstretch, looking out the window at turn 3 as it goes HARD left I was thinking there is no way we are making that turn! I probably closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath as the car just hooked into the banking and went left so suddenly. The G’s were pushing me down into my seat, I could feel the hard plate below the cushion.
As you pull up onto the front stretch your body unloads from the seat a bit and you breathe again. Before I know it we fly into One. It feels really fast and short, like a short track! It was pretty intense and over before I wanted it to be, but I am very glad that I did it.
Thinking about it now it feels like I checked an item off on my bucket list without even realizing it was on the list.
Please, go see all the pictures here —-> Some great shots of the Experience!
I think if we base predictions on what people are talking about now, this is the year of Danica. And rightly so after watching her strong 6th place run in the ARCA crashfest 200 yesterday. It was her first stock car race ever, she got spun, and ended the race with a very strong run with the ARCA boys. She ran top ten most of the race, got spun out, and when the end was near started moving to the front. I think she has answered all of the critics on if she could handle the heavy stock cars. She can, and will continue to, on what I believe will end up being the shortest stock car career before getting a top Sprint Cup ride. No cup owner will turn her down as she is an instant marketing machine with probably an endless batch of sponsors.
It seems like yesterday we saw Michael Schumacher racing a Ferrari Formula 1 car, but it was 2006. At that time during the off-season we all wondered, would the sport be better or worse without him? Who could fill such a huge void? Rookie Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain came in and made it all interesting again. Other drivers were racing for the win again, it wasn’t just the Michael show anymore. 2007 – 2009 were great seasons for the sport of Formula 1 and renewed my interest in seeing, what will happen week to week.
This off season became interesting when Michael Schumacher announced he would stop his retirement and come back racing with the boys. To make it even more shocking, he would not return to Ferrari, even though he was their pet for the previous three years. In what I believe is the first step towards the next championship, Michael defects from his long time family in Ferrari for Mercedes GP. This newly renamed outfit is actually Ross Brawn’s team that won last years championship. Even more of a coo is the teaming up of what was a very powerful duo of Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher. Together they have put together a handful of world championships already.
We are about to enjoy our 2nd Christmas together and wanted to take a moment to tell you about our 2009. It was a big year for us as we combined our households finally into one great family.
Last Christmas we opened presents on Christmas eve then got in the car early the next day and went to Disneyland. The next three days we had a magical time in the Magical Kingdom. Kathy’s parents, Sue & Steve tagged along and made it that much more special.
In the fall 2008, Michael was given a big decision to make about moving to Chicago to keep his job. He finally decided to accept a different position within the same company based out of Tempe starting January 1st. He now is a project manager for installed digital signage for the hospitality industry.
Tyler was working part-time at Quizno’s earning himself enough money to have some fun with his friends before he lost his job in the summer.
Well this race weekend I decided to go to all three days of races. Friday night was the Camping World Truck Series. Ron Hornaday clinched the title and Kevin Harvick won the race. Kathy came and we had a good time. Saturday was just Bree and I spending some quality father daughter time together. Then finally Kathy, Elise, and I went to the Cup race on Sunday and sat on the hill. Here are the pictures:
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