NASCAR on a Sunday morning

WOW! I have been waiting over a year for today... it was well worth the wait.

Sunrise at Texas Motor Speedway

Grab a coke and some popcorn . . . I fear I am going to make this longer than it needs to be.

Of course I couldn't sleep and was up at 3:30 after finally falling asleep after 11:15 AND there was a time change involved... I will let you figure the math on that one. Drivers were instructed to be there at 7 AM for the 7:30 class start. I was super excited to get out there and left the house at 6:30 for the 7 minute drive to TMS. I left the house with everyone still sleeping as they were not sure I would be in this class. It was dark and a bit chilly, I was about the 15th person there and took my time walking around the garage looking at the cars. After I registered, and called everyone to tell them I really WAS in this class not the fictional May 9th class my email confirmed me for. I saw one green car and thought it would be cool to drive that car.

I wandered around the garage and had a fantastic time people watching until class started. The instructor was right out of Days of Thunder... and funny as hell. 15 minutes of classroom instruction then we went out on to the track for our instructional ride around the track. I got to ride shotgun - this is where it does not suck to be a girl in this manly world of motor sports. We went three laps at over 100 MPH in this 10 passenger van while the driver gave us instructions on how to drive and where the turns were. I have decided when I grow up that I want that job.
After being properly instructed we were assigned groups. I ended up in group 2 so I would be going pretty early in the day. My family support group all showed up about 20 minutes before my ride started.

Getting geared up was somewhat comical - we were told numerous times to make sure our suit was quite roomy so we could maneuver our bodies into the cars. The humor came in watching about 6 guys and 2 girls have to change into something a little more comfy. I honestly wanted to see them try to get in the cars with their super tight and sexy driving gear on. I went for a large, which I must say was quite roomy and so attractive. I got a couple of looks when I asked where the pink ones were - they were all blue... WHAT?!?You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good.

-Men in Black

There were probably 120 - 140 people there by 8:15, drivers and observers. I counted only 3 female drivers in the crowd of about 60 to 70 drivers. I thought there would be more... or maybe I wanted there to be more? The first group went at 8:15. My turn was next!

My nerves were getting to me at this point....

They called my group over to the wall to give us car assignments. I got #18, looked around and GUESS WHAT... it was the green car. Happy day just got happier!

Jumping in... and posing for a picture.

Neil was my co-pilot and I was thankful to have him...or I would have been in a wall. The car pulls to the left so you steer pulling right the whole time, even when turning left the whole darn time. You don't really notice too much after about lap 6, but I am sure I will notice tomorrow. Goodness I need to work out.

Look at my pretty green car! That IS me. AAACK!

I must say - it was a rush to go that fast... it took me about 3 laps to find my lead foot...then it was ON! Passing someone on the straightaway after turn 2 was quite a rush! I probably made it up to 130-135 consistently on the straight aways, but was somewhat more timid than I anticipated and did not make it to the 150 mark as far as I know. I was trying to process all the steps and rules, drive a car and enjoy the experience. A difficult task for me as I tend to over-think things to a fault. NEXT time will be all about the speed!

My next adventure will have to be attending a NASCAR event. Although, I fear I would be more interested in watching the people in attendance than what is happening on the track.

Wes, Thank you for the certificate... I know you think I am a crazy chick, but I had a blast!

Thank you for coming along for the ride. I would recommend this to anyone that has a lead foot, an interest in fast cars, more than 3 speeding tickets in their life, the desire to pull right while turning left, or just as something totally awesome to do on a Sunday morning.Parting shot as I drove away - Turn 2 at TMS.