Yup, that's me! If you aren't familiar with NASCAR or racing, I'm sitting in a former stock car that is now used for driving school and ride-alongs at a place called Track Time. I got the surprise of my life this weekend in Michigan. The friend I was visiting set it up with her step-mom, who knows the guy who runs Track Time, and he used to drive in the ARCA series, which is two levels below the top-tier of the Nextel Cup series.
I'm really disappointed the pictures came out so dark. They looked much better on the camera! I also have one of Bill Eversole, the driver/owner of Track Time, standing next to the car with me in it.
This is a Kasey Kahne car, a display version of the car he drives in the Nextel Cup Series.
This is a Busch Series car (the level between ARCA and Nextel Cup), currently driven by Greg Biffle, but I think this car has the signature of a different driver on it. If you look closely, just above the window opening is a yellow squiggly line. In person, it's actually the driver's signature.
Here's the guys loading up the Kasey Kahne car to take it to an event in Akron, OH. You can't see him that well, but that's Bill Eversole by the drivers side. He even signed a photo for me!
It takes three of them to push it up into the trailer, then they secure it in place with locking cinch straps to keep it from moving forward or backward.I picked up a brochure, and next time I go to Michigan, I'm going to sign up for the 3 lap ride-along, it's only $99! I would get to sit in a real race car and go around Michigan International Speedway for three laps! OMG, how cool is that???
OMG I can't even begin to imagine how much fun that was for you! What a wonderful surprise for you that was!!
ReplyDeleteThat would be very cool! So glad you had such a nice surprise. Great pics too. :)
ReplyDeleteOne year we went to an event in Elmira (NY) just before a race at Watkins Glen and they had different Nascar show cars on display (they did at the mall too) and they had some Busch cars and local stock cars. It was really cool to see. I have pics someplace but they were taken on a regular camera. They have an event every year in Waverly (NY)too. We've gone to that a couple of times.
I've always wanted to drive (or at least ride in) a race car! That's awesome...glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Michigan Speedway for the three laps around the track. It is interesting and funny to watch. Some of the men and women are a little frightened when they start rolling. A lot of them never get to full speed, or they are so nervous they don't pay attention to the flags being waved. My friends husband is a nascar nut. His wife gave him the speedway laps as a birthday present. He did his three laps and looked a bit green when he crawled out of the car. Of course it was very hot that day, and wearing the fireproof suit didn't help. Make sure you don't plan it in July because it seems that is the most hectic month of the year. Hugs
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time! Im so glad that surprise had been arranged for you.
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