NASCAR Banking Only at Bank of America 500!

Charlotte is host to three NASCAR Races each year--two in May and the third in October. This year's event was the NASCAR Banking Only at Bank of America 500!--How is that for a mouthful for a race event entitlement. The NASCAR parody Talladega Night got it right NASCAR loves its sponsors!--It is not selling out, it is loyalty. The October Charlotte race is the fifth race and the halfway point for the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup. It is also the only night race for the Chase. There is always a certian pomp and circumstance to this event and many of the drivers love the event because many of the drivers think of Charlotte as their home track.

Typically, the October race is my favorite Charlotte race. May in Charlotte can be a little hot and humid whereas October is typically mild and sunny. This year was an odd one for sure--May was not too hot (it was a little rainy). October race this year was COLD. (40 degrees at the start of the race. My blood has definitely thinned in the two years that I have been here.

We also had guests with us at the race. High school friend, Beau and his wife, Christy, came up and joined us for the race weekend. Beau had gone to the Brickyard a few times, but it was Christy's first race. We braved the cool weather and had a ball.

NASCAR races are very colorful...enjoy some of the "color" that we experienced that day!

A view of Jimmie Johnson's hauler in the garage area...Note the hustle and bustle of the crowds at the track.

In the garage area, you have to look out for the cars. If you don't get out of the way, you can definitely get run over. Pictured Casey Mears' '07 Jack Daniels Chevy.

The Aflac car driven by Carl Edwards is one of the most popular paint schemes at the track.

Chase contender, Greg Biffle's 3M Ford

Tim, Beau and my brother James' fave driver is Jeff Gordon. For the Charlotte race, Jeff drove a special paint scheme celebrating the DVD release of Transformers. Unfortunately, he was playing the "bad guy" on the track. Ryan Newman's car was the "good guy"

After we walked through the garages, we made a visit to pit road. Lined up are the "war wagons" in each teams pit stall.

Jeff Gordon's War Wagon on pit road.

Beau and Christy enjoying a photo in front of the number 12 Penske War Wagon

Tim and Megan stopping to pose in pit road.Future 4-time Champion Jimmie Johnsons War Wagon. Chad Knaus is getting ready for the race.

Indiana Guy, Tony Stewart's war wagon

Dale Jr's War Wagon.

Beau getting ready for the "driver meeting to start"

At the driver meeting, one will "spot" all 43 drivers. Beau caught a great shot of Bill Elliott. I used to represent him when I was working at CMG.

Jeff Gordon getting flogged by the media.

An artistic view of the cars all lined up for the pre-race ceremonies.It is starting to get dark....A view of pit road as night falls. The "tree" lists the starting grid. Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin were on the front row.
The Pre-race fan stage. We got to sit on the track wall and watch the pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions. What a treat.
The happy crew standing on the track next to the "safer barrier" wall.

Beau sitting on the safer barrier on the track.

This years' race theme was Homecoming as many of the drivers consider this track to be their "Home track" NASCAR crowned a homecoming king and queen. The king was "The King"--Richard Petty!

The pre-race ceremonies also honored the just announced inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Class. Pictured on the Stage: Inductee, Richard Petty; Inductee, Junior Johnson; Brian France representing inductees Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr.; and Teresa Earnhardt representing Dale Earnhardt Sr. We will be celebrating their official induction next may.

Drivers introductions call out each driver specifically and then they take a pace lap. Pictured here is Christopher Malayter's twin, Tony Stewart.

A view of the track as the lights come on and race gets ready to begin.

While walking to our seats, Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin complete their pace laps. Jacqueline would have been jealous
The flag stand. The green flag will wave soon enough!

A view of the track from our seats. The cars are doing the pace laps

The race is in full swing. Jimmie Johnson dominated most of the race and went onto win. It was a full, fun and cold day.

Labor Day with Mom and Dad in Charleston

Tim and I hopped into the car on Labor Day weekend and we drove down to Charleston, SC. I know that it seems like we go there often, but it is a GREAT city and it is very accessible and is so much fun! We were invited to come down and meet Mom and Dad for a one-on-one weekend with them. I personally could not have been more excited because I often don't feel like I get to spend a ton of time with them when I go home. We stayed at Wild Dunes, a resort on Isle of Palms. For those of you that have never been there, Wild Dunes is wonderful. The beach is wide and beautiful. At night, we went into historic, downtown Charleston to enjoy the ambiance and the awesome food. Other than the beach and great food, we went for walks on the beach, shopping, and took a harbor tour. While all of the activity was wonderful, the biggest gift from all of it was the gift of Mom and Dad's time. Thank you again for the gift of a wonderful weekend and your company! We love you guys and miss you! For now, here are some great pictures from the weekend--mostly from one evening where we enjoyed a rooftop bar and from our Charleston Harbor Tour!

Us on one of the rooftop bars in Charleston!

A great picture of Mom and Dad overlooking Charleston Harbor
Lone picture of the four of us, unfortunately there are a few shadows.

Mom and Dad on the Charleston Harbor Tour. I love some of these pics!
I can't decide whether I like it in black and white or in color

A picture of the Battery from the vantage point of the harbor.

The Arthur Ravenal Bridge

My two favorite pics from the whole weekend, below! Again, can't decide whether i like the black and white or the color better.

Thank you again for the Gift of the Memories!

Bristol Night Race

Working at NASCAR, I have been trying to make my way to the different tracks to learn about them a little bit more. When my colleague and friend, Janet, asked if I wanted to go up with her for the day at the Bristol night race, I jumped right in! We helped out with a track walk and an autograph session. More than anything, it was interesting to get to see the Collesium of the South! Bristol is a short track--only a 1/2 mile around. Thus, it was very interesting to see 43 cars try to go around the track. I don't have a lot of pictures, but here are a few at least!

My view of the gate at the track. Taking pictures on the 23% grade was kind of a feat.

It is hard to believe that there will be set ups for 43 cars here later tonight.
My artistic view of Bristol

James Comes to Visit Tim (and Megan) I guess

Tim and I love visitors so we were super excited with my 14 year old brother wanted to come visit us this summer! James came down for about a week in July and time sure did fly by! We had a great time with James and it was one of the highlights of our summer (We heard from Mom that it was one of James' highlights too). In my opinion, James came down to visit Tim--seeing me was an added bonus. We sure did keep busy from go karting to touring race shops to going to the beach in Charleston for part of the weekend. We really did try to do it all and I will not forget our time with James. It was such a treat to have James come to visit us and we hope that we can do it again. Here are some pictures of our time crabbing in Charleston!

James in Charleston Harbor.

James and his big sis
James and Tim with their first catch of the day--A Blue Crab
Thumbs up to the blue crab!

Did I mention that Tim loves to give "Thumbs Up"???

Geez Tim, you LOVE the Thumbs up!
Another Nice pic of James and Megan

James hard at work with his crabbing equipment.

Okay so it is not exactly the Deadliest Catch, but What fun!