One last adventure

Ok, so I was lying when I said that my last blog was my last official NASCAR adventure for 2012. I actually had one more small one that I completed on Saturday 12/1/2012.

Michigan International Speedway has what they call a track drive. By bringing a new unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots or a bag of food for the food pantry, you can drive your passenger vehicle around MIS.

Ok, who wouldn't do it? Not only is it for a good cause, how often can you say you drove around a 2-mile speedway?

Saturday morning at 9:30am I picked up my friend Joan and we headed out onto US-127 for the hour long journey to MIS. Of all the damn days to be foggy, today was the day! I know, it could have been worse but still, fog? Grrrrr

Upon our arrival, a very nice security officer directed us through the tunnel (for those nonNASCAR fans, the tunnel takes us under the track in turn 1) and follow the signs to the event. It took us up and around into the garage area and out onto pit road. We dropped off our toys, signed the waiver and took off down pit road. We were flying!! Yup, 25 miles per hour never felt so fast!!!

Yes, sarcasm! LOL

I understand the need for a 25 mph speed limit since many people brought out their corvettes and camaros but geez, it was a tad slow. In my residential neighborhood it is 30mph!

Not to sound ungrateful because I'm not, it was just a buzz kill. I could see maybe 35-40 when you're out by yourself which basically we were. Except for the Pontiac G6 who decided they wanted to go really fast and pass us in turn 2. I was in the middle of the track, he was at the bottom. It was a cool feeling.

But anyway, I'm jumping ahead. So we slowly crawled down pit road. What a cool persepective. For a moment I imagined 42 other cars diving for their pits, the fans packed in the stands, the pit signs waving for the drivers, the anxious faces of the crew braced on the pit wall waiting for my arrival, my crew chief counting down in my head, ... it was awesome. What a unique perspective to have. It gets you one step closer to having an inkling of an idea what the drivers, teams and NASCAR deal with on a grander scale during race weekends.

So at the end of pit road I went up onto the 18 degrees of banking in turn 1. What a feeling. I have a new respect for these drivers who go over 200 mph around this track. It is AWESOME! I just can't describe the feeling. I almost felt like crying and I'm not really sure why. I mean I've walked the track for a charity event, I've ridden around the track in a tram and of course in the back of the truck, but this was just an entirely different experience that every true fan has to try at least once!

I didn't take pictures obviously because I was driving but I did have my friend take video. I never understood why this blog doesn't allow me to upload video. You'll just have to trust me that it was well worth the hour drive down and back. I just wish the sun had been shining, but I'll still take it.

Watch the website for MIS, they have these types of events and opportunities multiple times throughout the year. Do it at least once!

Bring on 2013. What adventures will the New Year hold?

I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT!