We Survived! It was one heck of a long day filled with lots of walking around and loud noises.

We saw Legend races and one where the pit crew chiefs raced, they were allot of fun. Kevin

Harvick won the all star race and 1 million dollars. They really cram people into the stands

and we were in the middle of the row so we stayed put. Lots of people drinking lots of beer.

We had great seats right in front of the pits and the start/finish line. We had pit passes and got

to watch the crews set up their pits, Chris went to each pit collecting lug nuts. I forgot the camera so we had to take pictures with our phones.

Yesterday we went to Rockingham Raceway, which has been closed since 2004. Chris and I lifted up the fence so Matt could climb under and get to the track to take pictures.

Today we went to Darrlington Raceway, took the museum tour and got to take a look at the track then we when to Matt's favorite drivers garage ( Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson )

and checked it out.

I will now let Matt vent.

Now the pictures

What a day...filled with garage hopping and souvenir buying (at least for Chris and Matt). We saw 5 garages, DEI, JR Motorsports, Robert Yates Racing, Curb Motorsports and Penske. We were going to see the garage Tony Stewart is out of (Gibbs Racing) but ran out of time. Weather is cool, low 70's and very windy. Tomorrow for race day it should be 77.
Probably will not post tomorrow because we will get in so late.
Maggie

On today's agenda:

Bristol Motorspeedway the most exiting track in NASCAR. Along the way we passed North Wilksboro Speedway, this was for many years my favorite track until nascar dumped them for the larger cookie cutter tracks. Enough of that. Bristol is a 2 1/2 hr drive from Charlotte, we left at 7:00am and arrived around 2:30 pm that's 7 1/2 hrs we took the scenic route through the Blue Ridge Mountains (428 turns and two Mountains ranges later). There really is a sign posted to that effect and they suggest you find an alternate route. However the sign is at the west end of the Highway and we started from the east. Along the route we passed through many small towns such as Boone where we stopped to check out this antique store ..... two hours later we continued on our journey. Bristol Speedway was under construction so we didn't get to tour the track by van. However they have left the track open so we could walk inside to inspect the ongoing work.

Matt

The scenery was gorgeous, we had some great home cooking and talked to some great people.

I got to enjoy the back seat while Matt drove. Only 2 more days till the race.

Maggie

Hi Ya'll

Started out the day going to Rousch Racing museum/garage. While at the garage we got to see

the pit crew practice for tonights pit crew challange. Next we went on the Dale Trail which is in

Kannapolis, boyhood home to Dale Sr. Toured down town Charlotte, got the scoop from the parking garage secuity guard about all the really tall buildings. Attended the Pit Crew Challange at the Bobcat Arena. That was fun. Saw quite a few of the drivers there. Had to restrian Matt

when Jeff Gordon showed up.

We Made it !! 10 minutes early (must have been the extra speed we gained from the gas the gentleman across the asile from us was loaning to the airline), How often does that happen. No snags anywhere & no wrong turns, all luggage accounted for. Dinner was excellent a little steak house 200' from the hotel although we drove 20 miles to find it.. We took an early trip by Lowes Motor Speedway, very Impressive & very big. Stoped back at the hotel to pick up the camera while there I had to run back down to the car to get my glasses. Upon rentering the room this is what I found (See photo). I guess that means were in for the night even though its only 9:00 pm here. Megan your mom said she thought of you when seeing these bedspreads and intends to bring one home for you. We'll take more pic's tommorow for now goodbye ....