After a couple of rainy days in Jacksonville, we were thrilled as we entered the infield of the Daytona International Speedway on the fourth of July. Keith and I found a parking spot for Rose at a church on Williamson Drive. For a $50 donation to the church, she could park her car there until Sunday. Not much was going on at the track today other than watching the RV's and rigs pull in. To celebrate Rose and Patrick's very recent 25th and 30th birthdays, we went to Carraba's across the street from the track. Patrick walked because all six of us cannot fit in the Jeep. It was a very long walk in the hot sun, so he definitely earned his meal that night. On the way home, Keith made two trips so no one had to walk.
Thursday-Friday July 5-6
Thursday was
the Rolex race, which is not that interesting to me, but Keith watched most of it. Both days, we spent time at the haulers and getting pictures and autographs at the gate. We saw practically everyone. I actually have not seen Jimmie Johnson in 3 years, but I think I have seen everyone else at least once. The picture inserted is Keith with Joe Gibbs Racing driver of the #18, JJ Yeley. On Friday, the Busch drivers qualified, but the Cup driver qualify session was canceled due to rain with 14 drivers left to qualify. Keith and I went to the taping of Trackside in the afternoon because I wanted to see Darrell Waltrip. After 3 years, I finally got to see DW! We also went to the superstretch looking for the Team Red Bull hauler. We finally found it (we had looked all over for it earlier). Unfortunately, it was closed and open only on Saturday. I was exhausted and still did not have an Allmendinger shirt for my brother. So we made plans to go back the next day. Rain continued so the Busch race was postponed!
the Rolex race, which is not that interesting to me, but Keith watched most of it. Both days, we spent time at the haulers and getting pictures and autographs at the gate. We saw practically everyone. I actually have not seen Jimmie Johnson in 3 years, but I think I have seen everyone else at least once. The picture inserted is Keith with Joe Gibbs Racing driver of the #18, JJ Yeley. On Friday, the Busch drivers qualified, but the Cup driver qualify session was canceled due to rain with 14 drivers left to qualify. Keith and I went to the taping of Trackside in the afternoon because I wanted to see Darrell Waltrip. After 3 years, I finally got to see DW! We also went to the superstretch looking for the Team Red Bull hauler. We finally found it (we had looked all over for it earlier). Unfortunately, it was closed and open only on Saturday. I was exhausted and still did not have an Allmendinger shirt for my brother. So we made plans to go back the next day. Rain continued so the Busch race was postponed! Saturday 7-7-07 RACE DAY
DIS held both the Busch race at 9 AM and the Cup race at 8 PM. Obviously 9 AM in July in Florida is NOT the best time for a race. It was ext
remely hot on top of the RV. Sara and I ended up spending the middle of the race in the pool! To top it off, Kyle Busch won the race. To quote Sara: "Kyle Busch! Who's Kyle Busch? He's not one of our drivers!" Then they still did the fireworks display - sounded great, but you couldn't see the fireworks in the daylight. It was soon time to go back to the superstretch. We tried to catch the shuttle - after waiting forever, it was full when it arrived. We then decided to take the jeep - no parking. So finally Keith let Rose and I off at the tram and he went to the store. It was a long walk, but at least the hauler was open this time. I have my brother's Allmendinger shirt, but I felt bad that Keith couldn't come with us. Rose and I went to get him a David Reutimann hat. When I asked for the hat, David Reutimann himself was in the hauler, so we were able to get the hat autographed for Keith.
remely hot on top of the RV. Sara and I ended up spending the middle of the race in the pool! To top it off, Kyle Busch won the race. To quote Sara: "Kyle Busch! Who's Kyle Busch? He's not one of our drivers!" Then they still did the fireworks display - sounded great, but you couldn't see the fireworks in the daylight. It was soon time to go back to the superstretch. We tried to catch the shuttle - after waiting forever, it was full when it arrived. We then decided to take the jeep - no parking. So finally Keith let Rose and I off at the tram and he went to the store. It was a long walk, but at least the hauler was open this time. I have my brother's Allmendinger shirt, but I felt bad that Keith couldn't come with us. Rose and I went to get him a David Reutimann hat. When I asked for the hat, David Reutimann himself was in the hauler, so we were able to get the hat autographed for Keith. PEPSI 400
Keith, Rose and I went to Fan Zone for driver introductions. We were able to get on the tri-oval, sit on the banked track, and sign our names on the checker start-finish line! We were able to see even more drivers as they walked to the stage for driver introductions. We watched from behind the pits for a while before going back to the RV. Keith and I were shocked because Rose was on the top of the RV with Patrick. She is afraid of heights so she never gets on top the RV. I did not get to make Sara take her nap today because I had gone to the superstretch; therefore, she had already fallen asleep. Keith and I joined the kids on the roof for an extremely close race. It was thrilling as we had no idea who would win. Jamie McMurray won the race by inches over Kyle Busch. I love Jamie, so I was pleased. The top ten had some of the drivers I do not care for, so I was concerned that one of them would win the race. For the past two years, Tony Stewart has won this race. Tony wrecked early, so it was probably good Sara fell asleep - Tony's her favorite driver. Now this fireworks display was awesome! I taped ten minutes of it for Sara, but my arms were too tired to tape it all. Another great Daytona race ends with excitement. Tomorrow, we head home until next July's race.
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