Dobby
October 6th, 2008, 11:08 AM
Well, I'm back from what can only be described as Ground Shaking, Bone Jarring, Heart Pounding Rolling Thunder that is "Talladega". If you've never been there let me tell you, when forty three juiced up, seven hundred fifty horsepower generating, power plants of ball busting energy roll past you at one hundred ninety miles per hour for the firsts time the feeling is unbelievable. Talladega was probably the most exciting experience of my life. The enthusiasm and camaraderie of one hundred forty three thousand people all gathered to enjoy the same event is indescribable. When I arrived Saturday night I was blown away by the sheer number of people that were gathered on the hills camping and partying. As far as you can see there are people from every walk of life doing the same thing, celebrating the sport of racing. From the three hundred thousand dollar motor homes to the twenty dollar tents, everyone shared a common interest, "go fast, turn left". When I woke up Sunday morning and watched the sun rise through the campfire smoke and mist I knew it was going to be one hell of a day.
I arrived at the track at about seven thirty A.M..After eating breakfast and a quick walk around the hospitality center I met the legend himself, Richard Petty. What a guy. Two hundred wins and seven national championships that will probably never be surpassed. He was kind enough to autograph my hat and pose for a picture with me. Let me say what an honor it is to meet someone I have admired for most of my life. What can I say? He is "Richard Petty". After a handshake and a brief chat it was off to tour the garage area. I got to walk through the pits where the pit crews do their best to turn fourteen second pit stops. I also got to walk through one of the car haulers and meet some of Kyle Petty's crew.
My seat was at the exit of pit row, just short of the start-finish line. At one point there was a huge pile up of cars right in front of me and I was pelted with tire dust and smoke. What an experience. The end of the race was the end of a perfect day. My boy Tony Stewart took the checkered flag.I would have been equally happy if Jr. had won but he was unfortunately caught up in a race ending wreck with about eighteen laps to go.
All in all I was up and running for almost forty eight hours and enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't get home until about eleven P.M. last night so I haven't had time to sort through the over five hundred pictures I took while there but I will get some up as soon as I can. Hope you enjoy.
Dobby
I arrived at the track at about seven thirty A.M..After eating breakfast and a quick walk around the hospitality center I met the legend himself, Richard Petty. What a guy. Two hundred wins and seven national championships that will probably never be surpassed. He was kind enough to autograph my hat and pose for a picture with me. Let me say what an honor it is to meet someone I have admired for most of my life. What can I say? He is "Richard Petty". After a handshake and a brief chat it was off to tour the garage area. I got to walk through the pits where the pit crews do their best to turn fourteen second pit stops. I also got to walk through one of the car haulers and meet some of Kyle Petty's crew.
My seat was at the exit of pit row, just short of the start-finish line. At one point there was a huge pile up of cars right in front of me and I was pelted with tire dust and smoke. What an experience. The end of the race was the end of a perfect day. My boy Tony Stewart took the checkered flag.I would have been equally happy if Jr. had won but he was unfortunately caught up in a race ending wreck with about eighteen laps to go.
All in all I was up and running for almost forty eight hours and enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't get home until about eleven P.M. last night so I haven't had time to sort through the over five hundred pictures I took while there but I will get some up as soon as I can. Hope you enjoy.
Dobby