Suites are interesting places. Some of the people there are HUGE Nascar fans. They come with their Sharpies and all kinds of things they want to get autographed. I have seen motorcycle helmets, various pieces of clothing, and even a very large framed photo of a corn maze in the image of Joey Logano!
Lots of the seats in the suites are purchased by corporations who send their star employees to the race as a reward for jobs well done. Some of these people don't have a clue what a race is all about. I get a particular kick out of watching these people become Nascar fans right before my eyes!
But my very favorite part of the 'suite life' is all the incredibly interesting people we meet! Being there a few hours before the green flag waves allows us the chance to strike up a conversation with total strangers. Nascar is the only thing we know we have in common, but by the time the checkered flag is in the air we have made new friends with whom we discover we have LOTS in common!
This past weekend at Richmond was one of those special weekends. And I want to introduce you to the incredibly interesting people we met ---
First there was the retired couple from Virginia who are both longtime Nascar fans. They have been coming to Richmond for many, many years! They entertained us with stories about the track long ago when they sat in wooden bleachers and when they camped right next to the helicopter landing pad. Their young sons would hang out when the copters landed and get drivers' and owners' autographs.
On the other side of us was a couple from Pennsylvania. We traded stories about our mutual camping escapades and discovered that we had alot in common. The funniest story of the weekend came from her when she told us about getting on what she thought was a track shuttle bus. Turns out it was a limo bus that was taking the 48 crew to the infield! She realized she was on the wrong bus when security came on board and asked to see everyone's hard card. She was so embarrassed! But the guys on the bus were so very nice, and the security guy called for a golfcart to take her back where she needed to be! Her telling of the story had us laughing until we cried!
We also met one of the gentlemen who worked in the suite and in a conversation with him we learned the story of his childhood, growing up as a sharecropper's son in poverty-stricken rural Virginia. He said when he would go to someone's house who had running water and indoor plumbing all he wanted to do was take a bath. What a great perspective he has on life's littlest blessings.
Do you remember me telling you about the Happy Nascar Wife I met last year? If not, you can read about her here: http://nascarwifehappylife.blogspot.com/2015/09/happiest-nascar-wife-possibly-ever.html Well Jen and her husband Eric were back again this year! It was great to catch up with them and see new pictures of their gorgeous children. And guess what Jen's birthday present is for this year .... she is going to do the driving experience at Richmond! She is SO nervous!! I really wish I lived closer and could go to watch her. Something tells me she will have alot to say when she climbs out of that race car!!
And finally, Hubby and I got to meet a Nascar friend I made through his Facebook page several years ago. Paul runs the Nascar Infield/RV Camping Forum page. If you don't follow it, you should! It is about so much more than infield camping. Paul lives in California but made a two week roadtrip - more like a pilgrimmage! - that started at Michigan and ended at Richmond. He and some friends combined their love of Nascar with their love of eating and visited stops that were featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. Check out Paul's page and tell him I sent you!
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| A Rose Between Two Thorns! HAHA!! |
Have you ever met anyone at a race who you became friends with? If so, I'd love for you to tell me all about it!!
