More Talladega Race Pictures

Bobby Labonte

Carl Edwards
# 99 - Carl Edward's car
# 24  Jeff Gordon's car
# 14 Tony Stewart's car

Talladega Spring NASCAR Race

April 27, 2009

We are making our return trip home from a great relaxing weekend at the Family Camp D on the backside of Talladega Super Speedway.  We arrived early Thursday morning, set up and then sat back and relaxed and watched other Race Fans pull in and set up.  Friday we got up and walked to the track to check out the merchandise trailers and Vendor exhibits.  After, we made our way to find the perfect seats to watch some Cup Series Practice.  It was a very warm day in Alabama and the sun was extremely hot reflecting off the asphalt 2.5+ mile track.  We watched first practice and decided we were too warm to stay for the 2nd practice, so we went back to the cool of the awning shade at our campsite and relaxed a little more.  Cully arrived around 11:30 p.m.   Saturday we got up with the sun and decided to go find the drivers that would be signing autographs and get some pictures.  It was going to be another very warm and sunny day.

On Race Day there was a little more breeze and by the time we found our seats in O.V. Hill North Tower the clouds were coming in to give us a little relief from the hot sun.  On lap 7 there was a BIG crash that took out a lot of the top 10 contenders including Jeff Gordon the points leader and others.  They worked hard to get that Car back on the track and did so after about 67 laps.  This was a typical Talladega restrictor plate race with a large amount of lead changes and 4-wide racing for position.  There was another crash that damaged several more cars and then the last lap was the thriller of the day.  Carl Edwards was being pushed by Brad Keslowski and gaining on Ryan Newman who was getting a large push from Dale, Jr.  The crowd was on their feet and then it happened. Keslowski went to pass Edwards and Edwards blocked and was hit and spun.  Edwards went in the air, flipping and hitting the catch-fence and bouncing off again.  All of this happened just a short jog from the finish line and checkered flag.  Edwards emerged from the car and jogged to the finish line to make sure he finished the race.  A few fans were injured, but none seriously.  What an exciting ending, although not the driver I would have liked to see win.  

We had a great time and it was a good time with Cully,too.

Not sure what the early part of May holds for us, but I am sure we will see you on the road somewhere.

Travel Safe!

More Pics from Easter

Easter Weekend- April 2009

What a great weekend we had with our extended family in Avon Park. We left early Friday morning with Elani in tow to get haircuts and on the way Elani decided that she needed "a little trim, too". This time when it was her turn, she left Diane wash her hair in the european-style sink. Elani thoroughly enjoyed the wash and the famous Diane head massage that we always get with a wash. Diane is the best! After her trim, Diane gave her some curls, but they didn't last long.

After haircuts we went to Aunt Judy & Uncle Don's where we visited and Elani played with her 3rd cousin Khali all afternoon. After supper we gave them baths and the little girls got their hair done in rags. They were so cute! Then they colored eggs together that Aunt Judy prepared for them.

We all got up for church on Saturday and the little girls loved their long curls. We had a nice dinner and more visiting time and then headed home around 4:30 p.m.

Sunday morning we got up early and went to New Smyrna Beach to soak up some rays and enjoy the beach. Upon our return and after a little time in the pool, too (since we were dressed for it). . . Elani went on her Easter Egg Hunt and found 14 eggs that the Easter Bunny hid for her outside and then found an Easter basket, too.

It was a wonderful relaxing, refreshing weekend.

We are on the road again on Thursday heading to Venice, FL for a weekend at my mom's house and more beach, sun, and sand time. Looking forward to more relax time!!

See ya on the road!

Time at Home

We've been home for two weekends in a row with nothing on our agenda but to relax and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather.  We laid by the pool, watched the sunset at Mt. Dora lake, colored Easter Eggs with Elani, played in rain puddles and spend time with family.  Who could ask for anything more.

This coming weekend we are going to spend some time with more family in Sebring/Avon Park and enjoy a Church Choir Concert at Walker SDA Church in Avon Park. 

Then the following weekend we have plans to go to Venice, FL and spend some time with my mom and relax on the beach!

Before we will be on the road in the RV to Talladega, AL for another NASCAR race!

See ya on the Road!

In our seats- Yarborough Terrace, Section 3, Row 2
  The guys on the hill overlooking the Track & Drag Strip
Me & Rudy in our seats
Rudy & Cully @ Qualifying (on the frontstretch)
Rudy & me at a Scenic Look Out in TN mountains.

Bristol Motor Speedway Spring Race - March 2009

Wednesday, March 18, 5:45 p.m.  

We pulled out in the RV heading north for our final destination of Bristol Tennessee, for the 5th race of NASCAR season.  We drove until around 10:00 where we stopped at the SC Welcome Center and got some shut-eye.

Thursday, March 19:    I woke up at 5:45 a.m. and we were on the road by 6:15 heading north again.  We only stopped for fuel, breakfast and a short while at a Scenic Pull-Over in TN before arriving at the Track campground - Pole Position.  We got all set up and Rudy was fixing some supper when it started to rain and the wind began to blow.  We watched several movies while waiting for Cully to arrive.  He got there around 11:30 p.m. and we all were tucked into bed by 12:30 a.m.

Friday, March 20:  After showers and breakfast we put on our heavy jackets because it was very chilly, but there was lots of sun before we hiked over to the Track to watch Practice and Qualifying of the Sprint Cup cars.  We sat directly in front of Jeff Gordon's pit stall so that I could get some pictures of him and his crew working on the # 24 Car.  I also pictures of some of the other drivers, too.

After Qualifying we roamed around the outside of the track checking out all the merchandise trailers and across the street to the flea market tents to find some bargains.  Rudy still hasn't found a # 14 Tony Stewart shirt that he likes and we need a new large decal for the rear of the RV.  We then watched a little of 2nd practice before heading back to the RV for a snack, since we told GJ that we would wait for him to arrive before eating supper.  GJ got there around 7 p.m., but Cully & I had run into town for some supplies while Rudy cooked our Friday Night Special - pasta, two kinds of sauces, garlic toast and salad.  It was delicious!!  It was very chilly during the night, everyone had as many blankets on as we could muster up. 

Saturday, March 21:  We woke up to sunny blue skies and very cold temps in the mid 20's...Too cold for this Florida girl!

Sunday, March 22 - Race Day @ Bristol:  With the racing activities not beginning until 1:30 with Driver Intros we went up the hill to take some pictures overlooking the Track.  What a sight..... the drag-strip was full of RV's, and there were campers and cars everywhere around the track.  With the mountains in the background and lots of hills, it was a beautiful sight to behold.  The Race was very interesting with # 18 Kyle Busch winning, Jeff Gordon finished 4th and there were only 15 cars on the lead lap.  We actually saw 4-wide racing down the backstretch at one time and 3-wide several times.   It is a very quick .533 mile track so the 500 miles was complete at 5:15 p.m. and we took our time walking back down the hill and up the hills to our RV spot (about 1 1/2 miles)  160,000 people pack there way into this stadium-style race track, and all or most all of them are wanting to get out and head home after the race.  It is like a sea of people walking to the main gate!

GJ left right after the race, Rudy grilled us a great dinner and we enjoyed the cool evening under the awning until the sun went down.

Monday, March 23, 6:00 a.m.  I woke up and got Rudy up and we got ready to hit the road.  Cully was flying out, but was leaving too and we were all packed up and ready to leave at 7:00 a.m.  We travel through 5 states to get to this Race, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.  The Blue Ridge Mountains are gorgeous, but a little stressful to drive through in the RV.  We saw dogwood trees and daffodils in bloom along the way, to.

4:50 p.m. and we just crossed over the Florida state line from Georgia, and it is raining, overcast and a little chilly.  ETA at home is 7:45 p.m.  Just in time to unpack and got to bed.  We had a great time with our friends and can't wait to do it again real soon.

Next planned RV Road Trip is in April to the Talladega Race in Alabama, unless something comes up before that.  At any rate, we will see you on the road!  Buckle those belts and hang on tight!!