Last week at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon Rudy and I were on the road to Atlanta, arriving at 8:30 p.m., getting all set up and settled in our camping spot at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and then "HOT-LANTA" became "WET-LANTA". It started raining and the wind was blowing so hard that at 2:30 a.m. we got up and took the awning down. We were RV-bound until around 1 p.m. on Friday (it was very relaxing) - So glad I brought a good book to read!! After the rain stopped we walked over to the Vendor area to see if there was any action, stopped at the SPEED Stage for a while, got a few souvenirs and then was heading up the hill to see if they were going to have CUP Practice and/or Qualifying and on our way we were approached by two cute blonde girls and GIVEN tickets to the Office Depot Infield Hospitality Tent for lunch, drawing and to see Carl Edwards. Also included was two free tickets to Qualifying. :-)
We made our way into the infield, wandered around and then headed to the Hospitality area which was on the backstretch of the Track and found the Office Depot Tent where they had a Simulator and a 99 Show Car, great food, and door prizes. I won an autographed 1/24 Scale # 99 Office Depot Car in the drawing. Before it all ended, Rudy left and shared his pass with GJ who joined me indulging in some food and gifts and then we walked around and took some pictures of the 8 minutes of Practice until the Rains came again! :-(
On our way back to the Coach we heard that Carl was going to be on the SPEED Stage, so we hung around in the misty rain until he got there so I could get some pictures.
Cully showed up around 10:30 p.m. and after chatting awhile, we all hit the beds.
Saturday:
I was registered to Walk on Sunday morning around the Track for the NASCAR Foundation Fund Raiser and was the top fund-raiser so I was given passes for a Garage Tour and Suite Tickets in the Champion Suite high above the track, which just happened to be right next to the SPEED's broadcast booth. We saw Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond and Steve Byrnes and later when the Truck Race started, Mikey Waltrip and his crew. They all waived and posed for pictures for us through the glass walls. It was amazing up there overlooking the Track and the food was excellent. What a privilege and experience. (While on the Garage Tour, I chased down Jeff Burton and got his autograph) The Cup guys were getting ready for Practice and the Trucks were on and off the Track, too!
Sunday:
Janine and I got up early and took our personal photographer (Rudy) with us to the Track Walk. It was perfect walking weather and we got autographs from several drivers and even walked and talked with Travis Kvapil as we walked beside him. It was all for a good cause!
The Race was amazing, too! That Carl Edwards pulled off a good Win over Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin in the last few laps. I got great pictures of Carl doing his signature flip off the car for his Victory celebration on the Start-Finish Line before picking up the Checkered Flag and heading to Victory Circle. Jeff finished 9th, which moved him up to 6th in Chase. He really had a good run all day, staying in the top 5 most of the day, until that last pit stop....... can't talk about it anymore....... :-( He drove a Nicorette Car with primary colors of blue and yellow.
Monday:
We left the Track around 7:30 a.m. and headed south to home, arriving around 4:30 p.m.
Today (Thursday- October 30) we are leaving for Mrytle Beach, SC for a Gaither Fest of three concerts in two days. Staying on the beach this weekend - We'll be on the road - maybe we will see you - Travel Safe
More coming soon......
See ya on the Road!
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