A TEAM'S GOTTA EAT!!

I have a confession!  I am a bit of a foodie.  There, I said it.  It's not that my whole world revolves around food, and I don't enjoy massive quantities of food.  I think what I like is the fun and relationships that happen over food.  Tailgating?  That is probably my idea of ultimate fun!

So naturally, when we are lucky enough to get an early morning tour of the pit/garage area at a track, I want to know -- what and where do all of these people eat?!  I mean, it's an early start of the day for these guys.  And they work hard.  They have to get hungry and it's not like they can just take a lunch break and run out to the local McDonald's!

So this last time at Dover I decided to check out how the teams get their nourishment, and I was not disappointed!  These teams know how to do it right!!  I have been known to be a little bit over the top when I'm in charge of the tailgate, but they put me to shame.  I mean check out this ham ready to bake ...

I know you can almost smell this picture!  I asked this guy what time lunch was served, hoping he would invite me to join them, but he just looked at me and chuckled.  His facial expression was kinda like "Go away Stalker!"  He obviously didn't know who I was - hahahaha!!!

Most of the time the hauler driver also fills the role of chef.  Here the grills are lined up in front of the haulers at Richmond ...

I couldn't find anyone there to talk to so I didn't get invited there either. ;-)

Some teams set up their kitchen right in back of their haulers in the garage area -

And others look for an open space and set up canopies and full kitchens!

(I understand this guy does some amazing things with sweet potatoes.

I LOVE sweet potatoes - HINT, HINT!!)

And just like tailgating at your favorite track or stadium, you can tell that there is a certain kind of "one-ups-man-ship" among the cooks, which makes for an interesting and yummy-smelling infield on race day.

Race day is a very busy time for these teams, and pit crew members don't always have alot of time to sit down to a nice meal.  Food has to be the grab-and-go variety and it has to be healthy because these guys are serious athletes.  This spring I caught this crew member of Alex Bowman's having a bowl of fresh strawberries while they waited to go through inspection.

Maybe I should consider combining my love of tailgating with my love of Nascar and figure out how to become the cook for a team.  Nah!  That's way too much work at this stage of my life.  I guess I'm just gonna figure out how score an invitation to tailgate with a team and not be considered a stalker!!

Stay Happy!!

NASCAR MOM!

Usually when I go to a race I meet some really awesome people, and Dover was no exception! Actually we never met in person, but we connected with each other through the Nascar Wife Happy Life Facebook page.

When I posted about heading to Dover for the Fall 2015 race, this Nascar Mom left a comment telling me how excited she was to be taking her two sons to their VERY FIRST NASCAR RACE!

Now, you Happy Wives (and Hubbies too!) know that your kids reach a stage in their lives where hanging out with Mom just isn't cool.  Everything you do gets you the infamous eye-roll reaction. Sometimes they even deny knowing who you are!!  Trust me, I speak from experience here!

Finding a common ground, something that you both enjoy, is not an easy thing to do.  In fact, at times it feels impossible!

That is why this is such a cool story.  This Nascar Mom's sons are 13 and 17 years old -- even MORE difficult to find something to do and enjoy together.  And can I just tell you - SHE NAILED IT!!

Look at these happy faces!!

Mom even splurged a little and added the Monster Mile Club package to her tickets which just added to the family fun and photo opps!  Here they are in front of the Miles the Monster trophy which little Keelan Harvick now displays in his playroom.

Notice how the smiles are getting bigger?!  ...

It was a long day and a late start of the race made it a late drive home, but something tells me that Nascar has a new generation of fans for life.  And there is a Nascar Mom with memories that she wouldn't trade for anything!  Way to go, Nascar Mom -- YOU ROCK!!

MORE FUN IN THE FAN ZONE!

Okay, in Part I of this post I shared with you where and how to buy your race souvenirs!  Now let's talk about all the other fun things you can do before the race starts!

For those of you who have never been to a track, there is always a large attraction set up outside the track with lots of fun activities for fans of all ages.  Think carnival or boardwalk.  Even if you don't have a race ticket you can take advantage of all the fun here!

Lots of the sponsors put up large tents and entertain the race fans as they head to the track.  There is the Sprint stand where you can get your picture taken with a cardboard likeness of Miss Sprint Cup. (Hey!  Your friends will never know the difference!)  Chevrolet usually has a whole lot of new cars for you to check out - like the new gorgeous Corvette! - and you can score a free tshirt here too. Sometimes Jack Daniels has a great big display where you can start your Christmas shopping!

And, of course, there is food ..... LOTS AND LOTS of food!  Dover has great options for whatever you are in the mood for, but of course you can't leave Delaware without having a Grotto's pizza.

If you prefer to eat more healthy food, how about this?

And you'll need a little sumpin' sumpin' to wash it all down!

So, after you've tickled your tastebuds you'll probably want to work off a few of those calories before you sit to watch the race for a few hours.  How about climbing a rock wall?

Or take your puppy for a walk?

But whatever you decide to do, you want to be sure you get to your seat in time for the pre-race festivities.  In case you don't get to the gate before the National Anthem, you will have to wait and pay your respects to our country during that time.  Everything stops at a race when the Anthem is played.

And that, right there, is the best reason of all to be a NASCAR fan!

FAN ZONE FUN!!

Going to a race is about so much more than watching the race.  Of course, there is always lots of tailgating fun that starts very early in the morning of race day.  And really, all you have to do is walk past a group of tailgaters and it is very likely someone will plop a delicious sandwich or ice cold beer in your hand for that long trek to the track (wink, wink!).

If you've never gone to a race before, let me give you this one little bit of advice -- GO EARLY!  Not because you need to get to your seat hours before the green flag, but because you will want to have lots of time to check out the Fan Zone, or as they call it at Dover, the Fun Zone!

You might have heard some discussions in the last year or two about the changes that are happening in this area.  And for awhile, it was really awesome and then -- well, not so great.  But it has begun to come back to life again, and the changes are AWESOME!

The biggest controversy has been about the elimination of the individual driver souvenir trailers that have been replaced by a super-sized souvenir tent.  I got the opportunity to check it out at Richmond and I'm still not sure how it is going to over with the fans.

As you can see, each driver still has his own individual area within the giant tent.  You can go from one section of the tent to another and gather up all the stuff you want to buy.  There is one very large centralized checkout area, so it is very convenient.  You may even buy something you had no intention of buying, just because you got to check it out up close.  I know what I'm talking about here -- my new granddaughter will have her very own pink #48 bib - I just couldn't resist!!

What I think might be a problem with this setup, though, is that there is not alot of room to move around inside.  We were there on Friday when the crowds are always smaller and it was okay.  But race day?  Wild horses couldn't drag me in there - not even for the aforementioned cute little baby bib!  The other problem I see is that, contrary to what you may have heard, it is NOT air conditioned!!  Just really big fans blowing air around.  I think shoppers will be dropping like flies during the hot summer months.  But, then again, maybe they plan to air condition it for those races. Let's hope so.

In the next few days I will tell you all about the awesome Fan Zone at Richmond, and I will also share what I hear is coming our way at the Monster Mile.  You're gonna love it!!  Be sure to check back here or you can follow me on Facebook at "Nascar Wife Happy Life" so you never miss a new post!!

HAPPIEST NASCAR WIFE .... POSSIBLY EVER!

If you follow me on Facebook (and you SHOULD wink-wink!) you know that Hubby and I spent this past weekend at Richmond International Raceway.  I have so much to tell you and share with you about that track, but of all the things I want to share I just couldn't wait to tell you about quite possibly the happiest Nascar Wife I have ever met!

Jennifer and I met and bonded at the salad bar over a discussion about ranch dressing of all things! She was just so happy and obviously having a great time!  We introduced ourselves and chatted for a few minutes and I learned that she is a big race fan and that this was the first race she had ever been to in person.

I should tell you that we had tickets to the best seats in the house, inside the all-inclusive Torque Club.  More on that in a later post, but just know that this is one "suite" experience (pun intended!) For two full days we enjoyed all-day buffets with fantastic food, a nice bar, a very upscale and comfortable indoor lounge area, and seats just outside the suite to watch the race.

Jennifer is a super sweet young mom to two children who are, in her words, "very two and very three"!   Jennifer's husband Eric gave her this weekend experience for her birthday which was in May, so she waited and anticipated this for a very long time!  When I asked if this was a monumental birthday, like 30, Eric replied, "No, it's just a great wife birthday!"  Now how awesome is that?!?!

We would pass by each other periodically throughout the day and she was always on to the next thing on her "be-sure-to-do" list!  She wasn't sure if she wanted to stay to see Kurt Busch or if she wanted to head to the pits for that experience.  Decisions, decisions, decisions!!

One of our last little chats was about the different tracks I have been to and which one she wants to put on her Wish List for her next birthday.  And judging from the fun they appeared to be having, I'll bet Eric will oblige!  After all, Nascar Wife, Happy Life!!!

JUST FOCUS!!

Well, HELLO AGAIN!  You may have noticed that I have been AWOL for several weeks now. You see, my youngest daughter found the man of her dreams and they decided to get married last month so I have had a whirlwind of a summer.  It was so much fun helping them plan for their future together, and we had a fabulous family weekend for their wedding which, by the way, was absolutely PERFECT!

It is alot of work planning a wedding. It requires a great deal of focusing on the details, but now that all those details have been accomplished, I am ready for some racin'!

And speaking of FOCUS, I have this theory that that is the main reason Jeff Gordon has been struggling to win a race this year and also the reason Kyle Busch has been so successful.

I don't say this to be critical of Jeff Gordon by any means.  I totally get it!  Years ago, when he was winning race after race and one championship on top of another, he was singly and solely focused on racing.  Then he had kids.  And as much as we might try to tell our childless selves that having children won't change our lives, the fact is, it does.  And almost always for the better and in ways we never dreamed it would.

I believe that is what happened with Jeff.  I heard an interview with him recently where he talked about how much fun he was having doing things with his kids that he never got to do when he was a kid because his life was focused on racing from an early age.  Things turned out well for him, but the success he achieved cost him his childhood.

And now that retirement is right around the corner for him, his focus has shifted to the new life he has planned for himself, a life after racing, full of normal family things that lots of us take for granted. Of course he has enough talent to divert some of his attention away from driving and still be a contender for the championship.  But I just don't see him closing out his career as Champion.

Kyle Busch, on the other hand - talk about FOCUS!!  His accident at Daytona seems to have put everything into focus for him!  I was never a big fan of his, but I can't help but be impressed with what he has achieved this season.  His focus is spot on, and I am predicting that this is the year he will win the Championship.

Well, Nascar Wife and Hubby are off to Richmond this weekend for our first race since Dover.  I'm really looking forward to a night race and I can't wait to share some pictures with you so be sure to check out my facebook page!   And remember to focus on what's most important to YOU!

"GRAB A COKE AND A SMILE!"

Nascar Wife's age is probably showing with the title of this one, but I remember when that was the slogan for Coke.  I also remember "I'd like to teach the world to sing ..."  And the truth is, every now and then I just gotta have a Coke!  I try not to indulge too often, but there are just certain times that only a Coke will do.

Have you ever noticed that alot of Nascar drivers like Coke too?  Well, at least they appear to.  I always wondered why these professional athletes were always chugging away on a Coke, a beverage that really has no redeeming nutritional qualities.  It just didn't make sense that after a grueling race where dehydration is a concern a Coke is the first thing they reach for.

Well .... look a little closer and you will notice two things -- the bottle is always full, and they take one big swig and put the cap back on.

So, what's the deal with that?

There are six drivers that are part of the Coca-Cola Racing Family - Biffle, Hamlin, Logano, Newman, Stewart and Patrick.

Every time one of these drivers takes a chug on a Coke while they are on camera, they earn points. It's called the Coca-Cola Chug for Charity.  Coca-Cola keeps track of those points and periodically tallies the points and writes a check to the charity chosen by the driver with the most points.  In 2010 Ryan Newman won over $60,000 for the Ryan Newman Foundation!!

What a brilliant marketing strategy and a great, easy way for drivers to add to their favorite charity's bottom line!  It's a WIN-WIN all the way around!

"INDEPENDENCE" DAY?

July 4th, 1863 - The Battle of Gettysburg was raging just a few miles from where I live.  Thousands upon thousands of brave men were being led into battle behind a soldier bearing the flag they were willing to die to defend. Many faced certain death.  At the end of that battle, the farm fields were polluted with the lifeless bodies of soldiers from the North and from the South, many of them clutching in their hands their beloved flag.

July 4th, 2015 - Nascar has decided that because of some mentally deranged wack-a-doodle who chose to murder innocent people while wearing a shirt that had a Confederate flag patch on it, you can no longer fly that flag at any of their tracks.  It might offend someone.  Goodness gracious, we wouldn't want that now, would we?!?!

HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE GET HERE?

At the risk of 'offending someone' politically, I know EXACTLY how we got here! ....

MICHELLE OBAMA: "Barack knows that we are going to have to make sacrifices; we are going to have to change our conversation; we're going to have to change our traditions, our history; we're going to have to move into a different place as a nation."

Congratulations Mr. Obama.  You have succeeded in rewriting our history.  And we have rolled over and played dead while you did so.  We have allowed you to get away with it.  Or have we?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

To me, that is the greater question.  We know what Nascar wants to do about it.  Nascar wants you to turn in your Confederate flag and exchange it for Old Glory.  Brilliant!!  Maybe if we eliminate any physical trace of what actually happened 150 years ago, we can all pretend it never happened and we can all just get along.  Yeah, keep drinkin' the Kool Aid, Nascar!!

Have you heard about this latest installment of Politically Correct Insanity?!

Bubba Watson to replace Confederate flag on General Lee with U.S. flag

In 2012, Watson had planned to drive the General Lee during the ceremonial parade lap for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway as part of his duties as honorary race official. However, NASCAR changed its mind, citing the flag on the roof, and decided "it was not in the best interest of our sport."

**NOTE THE DATE - 2012!!!

Yup, Bubba Watson is now going to paint over the Confederate flag on the General Lee, a car from a 70's televison show. Good God!  Now we even have to rewrite television history so that we don't offend anyone!! The ridiculousness of this leaves me almost speechless!!

So, as the mother of children whose great-great-great grandfathers fought and DIED defending the Union, let me say this.  I AM OFFENDED!!

I am offended that my freedom of speech, along with so many other freedoms, is being taken away.

I am offended that our President feels it is his duty to rewrite my history.

And I am offended that Nascar is helping him do exactly that.

IS IT POSSIBLE?

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then so, it follows, is ugly.  Is it possible for us to consider this flag as a thing of beauty?  I believe it is.

Suppose instead of thinking of it as a racist symbol, a sign of oppression, and a reminder of an especially ugly and tragic time in our nation's history we change our perspective.

Suppose we consider it as a sign of triumph!  A reminder of a time when good men saw an injustice and were willing to die to give their fellow man a better life!  Suppose we teach our children, especially those who still consider themselves bound by the chains of slavery that their ancestors endured, that hundreds of thousands of people died horrible, nightmarish deaths all because they didn't want them to be bound by those same chains!  Men and Women, North and South, Union and Confederate.  All fought to make this a better country.  

THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, IS HOW YOU REWRITE HISTORY!!! 

So, where do we go from here?  I humbly suggest that you continue to fly the flag that you have always flown.  For this Yankee, it is not the flag of the Confederacy.  But if that is your choice, then by all means fly it.  If it offends someone I hope they will say something to you so that you can tell them how important that flag is to all of us.  NO ONE SHOULD BE OFFENDED BY OUR HISTORY.  It is who we are.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!!

SO MUCH MORE THAN A RACE!

We are back from a truly amazing weekend at the Monster Mile in Dover, Delaware, and I couldn't wait to share some of the things I learned and some of the pictures I took!

One of the fun things we experienced was spending some time in the pit area during all three days of the weekend.  And the thing that struck me most was just HOW MUCH is going on there and HOW MANY people are working behind the scene to produce the racing event.

Of course, there are the drivers

Ryan Newman poses with a fan

and the owners

Jack Rousch, "The Cat in the Hat"

and the crew members.

But there are also alot of other people milling around there too!  There are lots and lots of media people

TV

Radio

and, of course, Claire B. Lang!!

There are security guards who make sure no one goes where they are not allowed to go

And the fire personnel

This man told me he would be sitting there all day until the race was over.

I stopped complaining about being hot after that!

Dover International Speedway always reserves a special place of honor for our military, maybe because the Dover Air Force base is only a few miles down the road.  We actually observed one pit crew member seeking out every member of the military, shaking their hand and thanking them for their service.  And no cameras were recording it, it was simply an expression of gratitude from a citizen.  Awesome!

Then there is the business end of Nascar.  Every driver has a posse of public relations people who go everywhere they go, tweeting and instagramming their every move!

Don't forget to save room for the helicopters and the Air Titans!

And spotters

And whoever the guy is who has to make sure the tires get where they need to be!

So glad this is not MY job!!

Save room for sponsors and other VIPs, fan with pit passes, and OH YEAH race vehicles!

It is an amazing scene, behind the scenes.  All of this so that folks like us can get our race fix every week!!

YOU, TOO, CAN HAVE A NASCAR WIFE ......

Ok, ladies.  You can keep reading if you'd like, but this one is for the man in your life.  Don't worry, I've got your back ;-)

The idea for this blog came about a year ago when we were camping.  We walked past a really nice fifth wheel where a young family was camping.  They had a Jimmie Johnson #48 pennant hanging on the side which, to Hubby, meant "Please stop and talk to me about Nascar."

This nice young dad said that he would love to camp at a track and go to a race but his wife wants no part of it.  I told him about how much fun we have in Dover and he said, "I wish you would talk to my wife!"  As we walked away Hubby said, "You really should write a blog ..."  And the rest, as they say, is history!

Can you relate to this young dad?  Do you, too, wish your wife would be interested in going to the races with you?  If so, let me share a couple of conversion tactics pointers with you.

The first thing I would tell you is a bit radical for most men and at the risk of having you stop reading here, I'm going to say it anyway.  And that is .... LISTEN to what she says when you ask her to go to a race.  I'm sure -- in fact I know -- she doesn't simply say 'no thanks'.  I KNOW she always follows it with a reason WHY she doesn't want to go.  Key words to listen for are "boring" "too hot" "porty potties" - you get the idea!

Your job now is to anticipate and eliminate all her objections.  This may sound like a daunting task, but keep this thought in mind - someday your kids will be out of your house (I promise!) and you and your wife are going to need to have things that you like to do together.  Believe me, I know what I am talking about!  So consider this first race experience an investment in your happy future.  You won't always need to do this, but it is necessary now to win her over to your side!

Okay ... here goes:

1.  Choose a race in an area you know she would like and then plan some non-race things to do. Number One on my list is Watkins Glen, but we have had a great time exploring everywhere we go for a race.  Your conversation could go something like this, "Honey, how about we go to (Watkins Glen) for a few days.  We can check out (the wineries and hike the falls) and take in the race on Sunday."

2.  Before you present the idea to her, check out what special seating/packages the track has to offer.  I'm not an expert on all the tracks, but all of the tracks that we have been to have some nice, affordable options for tickets.  My big objection has always been that I don't want to sit on metal benches in the blazing hot summer sun for hours on end and I absolutely WON'T do Porta-Potties!!! So at Bristol we got tickets in the Budweiser Suite which gave us access to a nice place where we could go for food and a beer without standing in long concession lines.  Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress made an appearance which was really cool.  It was also air-conditioned which, in Tennessee in August, is a really big deal.  And we had nice sort-of private restrooms but also seats for the race outside in the grandstands.  At Watkins Glen, we had tickets in The Bog which allowed us to walk all around the infield and watch the race from all different vantage points.  Both of these options eliminated my objections so I really had no reason NOT to go!

The people who work in the ticket offices are always very helpful when you call.  Tell them what you are trying to do and ask them what special offers they have for you.  Walking pit road before a race is lots of fun too.  It adds a whole new dimension to racing for people who think it's only a bunch of cars driving in circles.  Seeing what the pit crews have to do before a race is really interesting, even if you aren't mechanically minded.

Now your conversation continues with, "I know you don't like to sit in the sun for that long, so I checked out some special things we can do at the track.  We can get tickets with access to an air-conditioned suite so that you can get up and go there whenever you want to!"

You're liking how this is going now, aren't you?!

3.  Tell her how HAPPY it makes you are that she would even consider going with you and then tell her that if she absolutely hates it you will never ask her to go with you again.  But, if you follow these few simple steps I don't think there will be much chance of that!  And then tell her she can wear this shirt to the race!!

It's not rocket science, but I guarantee that if you follow these few easy suggestions, you will soon have a NASCAR WIFE & HAPPY LIFE!!

THE WAY TO A NASCAR FAN'S HEART!

You've heard that old saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?!  Well, apparently the same can be said for a Nascar Fan!

If you have had the privilege of going to a race, you know that it is so much more than just a race. Not that the race is not the main attraction, but let's face it.  People spend an entire weekend at the track - some even go for a whole week.  Camping, partying - it's all part of the fun we call Nascar! And food plays a major role at every track.

There are websites and facebook pages devoted entirely to eats.  One of my favorites is Steve Post's (of MRN Radio fame) "Food Around The Track" (www.foodaroundthetrack.com).  Every week Steve shares the best places to eat in the host town as well as fan photos of what everyone is having to eat on race day.  Nascar Wife's clams steamed over the campfire were featured two weeks ago!

 

Be sure to check out Steve's page, especially if you are planning to go to a new track.  He does a great deal of research (a/k/a EATING - haha!) and it's a great resource if you are looking to get the full experience of the town you are visiting.

Some tracks have a signature food.  Like the Martinsville hot dog we heard so much about this spring.  Did you know that they are known for their fried baloney sandwich too?

Sorry this is a picture of only HALF of a fried baloney sandwich, but Hubby devoured this puppy in about four bites!  He's already talking about getting one in the fall!  It's basically a slice of grilled baloney (here in Amish country we call it plain or minced baloney) with some grilled onions between two pieces of white bread and then grilled like a grilled cheese.  Add a little mustard and there ya go!

And this week there has been a lot of hype surrounding the new signature food at Talledega - "The Big One" - a ridiculously large meatball stuffed with cheese, topped with bbq sauce and some pasta and I don't really know what else!

I'm anxious to hear what everyone has to say about it, so if you go and try one, please post a comment and let us know what you think!!

When we go to Dover we always look forward to Grotto's pizza and some craft beer, both of which are sold at the concessions set up outside the track so you don't even need to have a race ticket to enjoy!  I will post again after we get there and let you know what other yummy things we try there!

How about you?  Do you have a favorite food that you can only get at your favorite track?