The big race (08/23)

Joe went and did the band and fan thing today while I didn't do anything.  It was nice to have quite for a while.  Here are some of his pictures from the day.
The picture on the right is where we are camped top right hand corner, we are in front of the grey motor home.

 The bands

After watching qualifying he comes home for dinner and to get ready to go to the pre-race show, which head lines Wynonna Judd.  We have never seen her perform in person before so I am a little excited.  We get there just as she starts.  It was fun to watch her.  She only performed for about 40 minutes then it was time for the rest of the pre-race.

I want to ride in this cart!!!!!!

Now comes the driver introductions.  I laughed when Kyle Busch was introduced and the crowded boo'd him and all he said was I can't hear you!!!!!!!  JJ Yaley had the best introduction, him and his daughter came out looking like hippies and his little girl introduced him, it was great.  They were to far away to get a pic.

Finally we heard Gentleman start your engine's and the crown went crazy!!!!!!  You have to wear ear plugs or you will be hearing in-pared by the end of the race.  They don't call this track Thunder in the Valley for nothing.  It is so loud even with ear plugs.  This is a 500 lap race and I am a little worried about how long it will take.  Luckily there weren't many yellow, unfortunately one of the big yellow's involved Dale Jr.  Kevin Harvick hit Denny Hamlin who then spun down the track and back up collecting Dale Jr, taking the whole driver side sheet metal off of Dale's car, he is out for the night.  I was not happy!!!!! So now I am focusing on Kyle Larson.  He gets close to the front but ends up finishing 12 th.  I would of been happy Brad Keselowski or Kevin Harvick winning the race, anyone except Joey Logano.  I am not a big fan of Logano's and of course he ran away with the race once he got out front no one could catch him.  What an exciting race!!!!  We are planning on coming back next year.

We waited a while to let the stands clear out before we left the stands.  As it was we still got stuck in the crowd trying to get across the red bridge.  Talk about a press of humanity.  At least everyone was in a good mood and it was fun joking with others around us.  I must be really used to trudging up this hill because I am passing a lot of people and before you know it I am back at the fifth wheel.  We fix drinks and grab some dollars and head over to party central.  Our neighbors and great people and a lot of fun.  There is Jay and Vicky, Jack and Marsha, Kim and Dave, and Cat and Travis.  All but Cat and Travis are from Ohio, Cat and Travis are from here.
We play left, right, and center until the wee hours of the morning.  The last hand I finally won, I took home over $20.