I can't believe it! We actually got to the track in time for me to see the haulers go in! We got to the south tunnel of the track about 20 minutes to 6:00. We knew that we couldn't park and get back in time to see the haulers go in, so Mom dropped me off and left to go park the car. Good thing, too, since the trucks started moving (early!) about the time I crossed the street to join the other onlookers. These aren't exactly the kind of pictures I had in mind, but my tripod's broke and the big spotlight on the east side of the road would have ruined the shots anyway. I have a plan for next year, though....
After all the haulers had passed by, I spotted Mom in her car on the other side of the road. I ran over to find out why she hadn't parked the car yet -- the parking lots were all closed. A security guy told us she could park in a nearby parking lot, so I headed for the infield to take more pictures of the haulers. She would park and catch up. (Mom twisted her knee several years ago when she stepped off in a hole at TMS. She's had surgery, but she still has to use a cane when she has to do a lot of walking, and it slows her down quite a bit.)
By the time I got down to the garage, most of the haulers had already parked. I walked around a bit, took a few more pictures, and decided to try and find out what time the NASCAR credentials office opened.
After finding out that the office didn't open until 8 AM, I decided to look for Mom (she should have been here by now). About the time I decided to head back toward the South Tunnel to find her, she came walking up from the North. Apparently, right after I left, the speedway closed the only open parking lot, and she had been circling the track looking for a place to park. (I still don't understand why the track won't open the parking lots until 9 AM. Don't they know that race fans like to arrive early?)
Mom's car was in the camping lots (illegally) and she was afraid it would be towed. Since the NASCAR credentials office didn't open until 8:00, we decided to try to find a better place to park. We finally found an entrance into a dirt parking lot on the West side of the track. Across the road from us was a little trailer selling the BEST breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. I got one with sausage, egg, and cheese and a cup of coffee. The lady serving us was really nice. Apparently, they are part of the North Carolina contingent that follows NASCAR around. If you ever get a chance to try their breakfasts, DO! It's better than anything you can buy inside the track. Look for them to be set up near one of the Winston tents in the parking lot. Apparently, the guys from Winston like to be close by in case they get hungry.
Mom's hat brought us good luck all weekend. Everyone noticed it, and it drew the attention of many interesting people that might not have noticed us otherwise. The day before, she had bought a new hat on the midway, but I've since made her promise that she will only wear the blue one at the racetrack.
It took us a while to walk back around to the north tunnel. By the time we got back to the NASCAR registration office, it was open, and we picked up our Garage Passes.
I can't describe what I was feeling when we walked through those gates. NASCAR drivers are my heroes, and I was actually getting a chance to see them work up close! We walked around for a long time, just gawking, afraid to ask for any autographs, and too dull-witted to get many pictures.
The first autograph we got up the nerve to ask for was Dave Marcis. He had just come out of the garage and his hands were dirty from working on the car. He was so sweet! He wanted to clean his hands before signing autographs. I sure do miss seeing him on the track!
