Richmond NASCAR

When Dave and I first became engaged, my dad took him to the November Phoenix NASCAR race.  Up until then, Dave just saw the sport as cars going around in a circle, over and over and over again.  He came back from the Saturday race with fire in his eyes and was practically foaming at the mouth to get trackside again for the big race the next day.  In one weekend, my dad had inspired a new fan.  :)

When we lived in AZ and in ID, getting to the Phoenix races wasn't an ordeal and most years, we found ourselves at the race in November....I had even been talked into going and found that I enjoyed it.  However, with the move to NASCAR country (VA).....we have found it rather difficult to make the Phoenix races....or any race at all.  We have a track virtually in our backyard....one of Dave's favorites tracks to watch on TV...and  yet for 6 years, we hadn't been "racing".  

Somehow....the gods smiled on us this and all the stars aligned because not only did we not have anything on our calendar this past weekend....but my dad didn't have any choir responsibilities at his church this past weekend.  Unreal!  And so...after 6 years...we found ourselves "racing" again.

Dad (Grandpa) felt that Jeffery needed to join the "Blue Deuce" (#2) fan club.  I'm not sure that will sit well with Dave....who is a #88 fan.  [on a side note....I just cannot get over how much Jeffery looks like he is 2 or 3 in this picture!]

A NASCAR fan

The festivities began with a family indoor picnic at our house.  My cousin, Olin, and his wife, Suzanne, and their two girls and my cousin, Ingrid, all came to our house for lunch.  Olin and Ingrid are from my mom's side of the family.  Olin had been to the race with my dad in November and wanted to introduce Suzanne to the sport so they were joining us for the Richmond Race.  Unfortunately, the day was a cold (and I do mean COLD) and rainy day.  Our picnic of hot dogs and brats and the such was supposed to be outside but that just wasn't going to happen with the weather.  

The four racers (my mom happily stayed home with little Jeffery and Ingrid took Olin's girls back down to their house) caught the shuttle from downtown and made our way to the track so we could walk the midway and peruse the merchandise and food and exhibits before actually entering the track and finding our seats.  We got there about 3 hours ahead of the start of the race....and for 2 hours....a steady and cold rain fell on us.  With almost every breath, my dad would say "It REALLY needs to stop raining".  See....they can't race in the rain...and the powerful track driers have to have enough time to dry the track but there was no point in even starting those up while the rain continued.  Things were not looking promising for a full race.....or even for the race to start...and the weather forecasts were not helping.

Me and the 99 Car (Carl Edwards)

Dave and his 88 car (Dale Jr.)

About an hour before the start of the race, we heard the driers and knew that this race was at least going to start.  We were hopeful!  So we entered the track and took in the sights and sounds.

Richmond International Raceway

Me and Dad

Dave Bob and Jeff Bob

The Phoenix track is a mile long.  The Richmond track is 3/4 of a mile....and is considered to be a "short track".  It is also a bowl in design whereas Phoenix has open spaces....where the sound can escape.  :)  I have a former co-worker who attends all of the Richmond races (there is another race in September) and he advised my dad on where the best seats are.  He did NOT lead us astray.  Our seats were unbelievable.  We were able to see the entire track but felt close to the action and pit road was right in front of us.  

Getting the track ready

Ominous sky

I should have listened to my mother.  :)  She suggested I take gloves with me but I didn't.  :(  Silly me.  I could have also used a scarf and my down coat....it was soooo cold!  We could see our breath!  Dave brought hand warmers for all of us but it was so cold, we didn't even have a beer during the race.  That has to be track blasphemy somehow.  :)

Big smiles

The Pedersens are racing!!!

And then....the race started.  I felt a huge sense of relief when that green flag flew knowing that we would at least get to see some laps tick by.  What I wasn't prepared for....what none of us was prepared for....was the absolutely intense and jarring thunder created by almost 30,000 horsepower....in a bowl where the sound doesn't escape but continually echoes back at you.  I truly felt that my internal organs were vibrating as a result of the thunder from these cars.  It was absolutely unreal.....

Green Flag Flies at Richmond

......and my dad's jaw drop and he was like a kid in the candy store.  

Pure happiness!

That kind of excitement and thrill is something that you have to experience!  :)

Much to everyone's surprise....and relief....we were able to see the whole race....without any rain delays.  Phew!  The last 60 laps were especially exciting and then the last 10 laps....where Dave's driver, Dale Jr, was fighting for his first victory in 200 races, were thrilling....the kind where no one is sitting down!  :)  As it stood...Dale (the #88) came in second which is still a great showing and made a great night for Dave.

The top 5

Olin and Suzanne had a great time and it was so nice to see Olin again after 12 years.  Good grief that is pathetic.....especially considering the fact that for the past 3 or more years....they've only lived 2 hours from us!  We have all agreed to see other more often!  :)

Olin and Me after a night of racing!

The whole afternoon and evening felt like old times!  No....there wasn't any 6 am tailgating with bloody mary's and margaritas :)....and Big Jim and Bob and the rest of the tailgating crew from Phoenix wasn't there.  But the people who go racing and matter to me....were.  Even mom found herself (much to her dismay) watching the race on TV as that was the only thing Jeffery would be still for!  (which I find hilarious!)  My dad is now hooked on the Richmond Race and promises that he will be back for more races.  We can't wait to go back!  :)

The Harris/Pedersen Racers!