Well, folks, this is it. The week we all have been waiting for since the Miami race in November. I think Nascar has the right idea planning the Daytona kick-off race in February. And they didn't even consult me when they planned it that way - ha!
In our neck of the woods, winter is endless. It is gray and cold -- very cold! -- and bleak and boring. So for the Nascar fan to have something to anticipate and look forward to and plan for is a real lifesaver! When we sat down at the beginning of the year to fill in our 'social' calendar, the first thing we entered was this coming week.
And yesterday being Valentine's Day and us not being the type of people who enjoy crowded restaurants and over-priced entrees, that provided me with the perfect Valentine's gift. I told Hubby that he did not 'have' to make reservations for dinner. We would have dinner at home, in front of the TV, watching the Sprint Unlimited. He was a very happy guy. Sometimes life's simple pleasures really are the best!
So I fired up the grill and we dined on the most delicious filet mignons, baked sweet potatoes, tossed salad and for dessert, Hubby's favorite Boston cream pie made with strawberries not chocolate. It was a simple menu (I bought the pie!) and it was really enjoyable!
Today our wind chills in Pennsylvania were in the below-zero range and the weather people were advising people to stay inside. Oh, okay, if we must. We watched qualifying, and we decided we didn't like the way they are doing that now. What did you think? I guess we will watch the rest of the qualifying on Thursday. Who am I kidding, of course we will!
And next weekend you will find us right here - plopped on the sofa in front of the big screen tv and dreaming of the time when we can actually hook up the RV and head south for this week. But for now we are quite content watching it all week long on television. We may call a few friends to come watch with us on Sunday, but that remains to be seen. I have a big ol' pan of lasagna frozen for the day just in case we decide we want to be social. If not, we will eat leftovers all week.
How about you -- how do you celebrate Daytona?
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
NASCAR HALL OF FAME
It is a cold and snowy here in Pennsylvania which, for some strange reason, I really like. Maybe because everything feels different - people are staying home from school and work so there is very little traffic outside - and maybe because I seem to use days like this to catch up on all sorts of things that I would not be doing if it was a dry, sunny normal kind of day.
So today I spent some time catching up on all the Nascar news I have fallen behind on over the holidays. There are all kinds of countdowns to races, team and drivers news updates, but the one tidbit that really caught my attention was the news that the Nascar Hall of Fame is struggling financially.
Hubby and I visited there in the fall of 2012, and I really must say that if you consider yourself a fan, this is a MUST DO for your Nascar Bucket List!
I will be the first to admit that, being the casual fan I am, the thought of spending an entire day aimlessly wandering around the HoF did not excite me. But this was part of my Christmas gift to Hubby so I bit the bullet and went. And I am I ever glad that I did! So many fun and interesting things to see and do there! We were there on a day when they also had a driver's appearance so we got to spend some time with Martin Truex which was really interesting. It's kind of funny to see a driver in street clothes and talking about normal stuff - you know, just like us 'common folk'!
There was a nice place to eat inside the Hall as well as a Buffalo Wild Wings adjoining, but that was two years ago so you should check to see if that is still the case. Don't take my word on that one.
The one thing that I thought was very thoughtful was the abundance of well-placed white wooden rocking chairs for people like me. When Hubby would drift away looking at things that maybe didn't interest me ... at all!.... I would just point to a group of rocking chairs and tell him to take his time and see everything he wanted to see. I would be very happy sitting there waiting for him. There were lots of other people like me -- okay women! -- doing the same thing so we enjoyed chatting while the men wandered.
According to the news article, the Hall of Fame needs 400,000 visitors a year to be profitable. Last year there were only 170,000. It would be a real tragedy for our sport if this facility had to close its doors. SO ..... if you are looking for a really great spot for a brief winter break allow me to suggest Charlotte NC and the Nascar Hall of Fame! I'd also suggest that you plan to stay for several days and tour some of the team shops and garages. It is a fun, fun trip!
Here is the link to the news article:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2015/01/05/5427276/charlotte-to-banks-write-off-176.html#.VKsUstLF9WI
So today I spent some time catching up on all the Nascar news I have fallen behind on over the holidays. There are all kinds of countdowns to races, team and drivers news updates, but the one tidbit that really caught my attention was the news that the Nascar Hall of Fame is struggling financially.
Hubby and I visited there in the fall of 2012, and I really must say that if you consider yourself a fan, this is a MUST DO for your Nascar Bucket List!
I will be the first to admit that, being the casual fan I am, the thought of spending an entire day aimlessly wandering around the HoF did not excite me. But this was part of my Christmas gift to Hubby so I bit the bullet and went. And I am I ever glad that I did! So many fun and interesting things to see and do there! We were there on a day when they also had a driver's appearance so we got to spend some time with Martin Truex which was really interesting. It's kind of funny to see a driver in street clothes and talking about normal stuff - you know, just like us 'common folk'!
There was a nice place to eat inside the Hall as well as a Buffalo Wild Wings adjoining, but that was two years ago so you should check to see if that is still the case. Don't take my word on that one.
The one thing that I thought was very thoughtful was the abundance of well-placed white wooden rocking chairs for people like me. When Hubby would drift away looking at things that maybe didn't interest me ... at all!.... I would just point to a group of rocking chairs and tell him to take his time and see everything he wanted to see. I would be very happy sitting there waiting for him. There were lots of other people like me -- okay women! -- doing the same thing so we enjoyed chatting while the men wandered.
According to the news article, the Hall of Fame needs 400,000 visitors a year to be profitable. Last year there were only 170,000. It would be a real tragedy for our sport if this facility had to close its doors. SO ..... if you are looking for a really great spot for a brief winter break allow me to suggest Charlotte NC and the Nascar Hall of Fame! I'd also suggest that you plan to stay for several days and tour some of the team shops and garages. It is a fun, fun trip!
Here is the link to the news article:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2015/01/05/5427276/charlotte-to-banks-write-off-176.html#.VKsUstLF9WI
Friday, December 26, 2014
HAPPY ALMOST 2015!
Well, HELLO Friends! It certainly has been a while! I hope this finds you well and basking in the glow of the holiday season. It is a very busy time of year for this Nascar Wife, as I am sure it is for most of you.
And, of course, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations, we HAD to make time to watch the BIG RACE! It was a huge sacrifice (insert sarcasm), but sometimes sacrifice is necessary for a Happy Life ;-)
I'm sure you have all heard the discussions about the new system Nascar instituted this past year - pro and con. And each viewpoint has its merits, but I must say I thought it was great for the sport. I liked not knowing who the champion was going to be until the end of the last race. It kept us engaged and looking forward to each and every race right up til the end!
I am anxious to see the changes that will be made for next year. I honestly have not paid much attention to all the announcements yet. I figure there will be plenty of time for that after the winter doldrums set in!
Hubby and I will soon start our serious planning for our racing & camping for 2015. We already have our Spring & Fall Dover tickets (YIPPEE!!!!) so now we need to decide which other races we can make fit our work schedules. It will probably be at least one Martinsville trip ... okay, probably two! I would love to go to Daytona, but the timing on that one makes it difficult for us to get there. So I'm thinking this might the year for Loudon. Or maybe Michigan. Has anyone been to either race? I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice!
I am also starting to think about what I want to blog about in 2015. Look for upcoming posts on our trip to Charlotte and the Hall of Fame, the life of a pit crew member, kids and Nascar, and track food and fashion! And that's a just a few of the ideas I have! I know that as the season progresses I will have lots more to say (you've probably noticed that I am never at a loss for words or opinions!).
Until then I want to wish you and your family good health and good times!
And, of course, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations, we HAD to make time to watch the BIG RACE! It was a huge sacrifice (insert sarcasm), but sometimes sacrifice is necessary for a Happy Life ;-)
I'm sure you have all heard the discussions about the new system Nascar instituted this past year - pro and con. And each viewpoint has its merits, but I must say I thought it was great for the sport. I liked not knowing who the champion was going to be until the end of the last race. It kept us engaged and looking forward to each and every race right up til the end!
I am anxious to see the changes that will be made for next year. I honestly have not paid much attention to all the announcements yet. I figure there will be plenty of time for that after the winter doldrums set in!
Hubby and I will soon start our serious planning for our racing & camping for 2015. We already have our Spring & Fall Dover tickets (YIPPEE!!!!) so now we need to decide which other races we can make fit our work schedules. It will probably be at least one Martinsville trip ... okay, probably two! I would love to go to Daytona, but the timing on that one makes it difficult for us to get there. So I'm thinking this might the year for Loudon. Or maybe Michigan. Has anyone been to either race? I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice!
I am also starting to think about what I want to blog about in 2015. Look for upcoming posts on our trip to Charlotte and the Hall of Fame, the life of a pit crew member, kids and Nascar, and track food and fashion! And that's a just a few of the ideas I have! I know that as the season progresses I will have lots more to say (you've probably noticed that I am never at a loss for words or opinions!).
Until then I want to wish you and your family good health and good times!
Saturday, November 22, 2014
SANTA CLAUS - NASCAR STYLE!
Well, the holiday craziness has officially begun! It seems you can't flip on the tv or pick up a newspaper without being assaulted by advertisements for the very best holiday gift bargains ever. I don't know about you, but those ads are of no help to me. They pretty much just add to the stress I put on myself to find the absolute most perfect gift for the people on my list.
If you have begun stressing out over what to get for your favorite Nascar fan, I am here to help!
If you have begun stressing out over what to get for your favorite Nascar fan, I am here to help!
- The most obvious (and therefore, in my opinion, the least exciting and most predictable) is something with their favorite driver on it. There seems to be no limit to the 'stuff' you can find featuring your driver. Everything from clothing to home & office supplies (think mouse pads and bottle openers) can be found online. Just do a Google search with the driver's name to find their official fan page, or go to Nascar.com. If you want it, you'll find it. Trust me!
- Tickets to a race - Now you're talkin'! The decision on which race will be limited only by your budget. If you are not looking to spend alot of money, I would suggest choosing the track closest to home. Call the ticket office and tell them what you want to spend and I'll bet they have something for you. I would also recommend that you buy two tickets so that they can invite someone (maybe you!) to go along. If you really want to score major points and do it up right, choose a destination track farther from home and give them a whole weekend package, including hotel. If you have never gone along to a race despite your Big Fan asking you to over and over (and over!) make part of the gift your promise to go along. Now that's a gift!
- Driving Experience - Some of the tracks offer an opportunity for the public to jump in a race care and drive a few laps on the track. This is not inexpensive, but oh my goodness is it ever fun! It will take a little research on your part, but it is well worth the effort. Some tracks also will let you drive your own car on the track, but this is not nearly as cool as they limit your top speed to less than what alot of people drive on the interstate. (But I don't advise doing that in Virginia - see Martinsville post) ;-) You should also know that the times these offers are available are blacked out around race time, so you can't do both on the same trip unless you are staying for an extended period.
- SIRIUS/XM Radio - If you don't already have this, I would suggest putting this high on your list! There is a station devoted entirely to Nascar so you can have 24/7 Nascar (if you really want that!). And even it you already have a subscription for a radio in your car, I'd recommend buying the boom box and portable radio module. We use this all the time when we are camping. It is fun to sit around the campfire and listen to the Nascar guys talk racing, and if we don't have the tv station that is broadcasting the race, we can still not miss a minute of race day excitement. You can find all of this online or at your favorite electronics store (think Best Buy).
Well, there you have it! I hope you found these suggestions helpful. The best part of these is that you don't have to leave the comfort of home to do your shopping! Now get busy!!
Monday, November 10, 2014
THE BIG DAY ....
Well, the Big Day is almost here!! We have waited an entire year for it. We have been talking about it for months. And 'it' is almost here!!
Those of you who are deep in preparation for it may be thinking that I am talking about Thanksgiving. But NO WAY!! I am talking about something much more exciting ...
Those of you who are deep in preparation for it may be thinking that I am talking about Thanksgiving. But NO WAY!! I am talking about something much more exciting ...
THE SPRINT CUP CHAMPIONSHIP RACE!!
Ever since Nascar announced the new format for this year's championship, fans everywhere have been talking about it and expressing their opinions about the change. But there is no denying that this has been one of the most exciting years of racing. Ever.
And after Sunday's race, Nascar will have a first-time Champion. There are alot of fans who were really beginning to get disillusioned with the sport because the same guys kept winning the championships. But this year - not so! This year was so exciting and with four fresh faces in the finals, the championship race promises to be an event to remember!
I just heard that there are about 1,000 tickets still available at Miami-Homestead for the Big Day. They also have some campsites available. I am SOOOOO tempted to be spontaneous and just pack up and go, but since we just winterized the RV on Tuesday and since there is that nasty little matter of jobs .....
We will be watching all the coverage from the comfort of home. We'll watch everything pre-race, and truth be told, we will probably have the Nascar station playing on the Sirius/XM too! Even during the race we will mute the television and listen to the MRN broadcast. Those guys are great and there are far less commercials. I told you, we are really big fans!
And unlike the Super Bowl parties we usually attend, we will be watching this one alone. No kids. No friends. Nobody. We're not trying to be anti-social or offend anyone. It's just that, well, we don't want to miss a second of the excitement and they might want to talk and be all sociable ;-)
I'm already planning our menu. I haven't decided exactly what it will be, but I know this much -- it will be a make-ahead something. Maybe wings, grilled then kept warm in the sauce in the crockpot. Or maybe pulled pork sandwiches. What I do know is I'm not cooking OR serving after the race starts. It will be every Nascar fan for themself at this Happy Wife's house!
What are your Championship Race Day plans? Whatever they are, I hope you have a great time! And don't call me - I won't be answering the phone that day either!!
I just heard that there are about 1,000 tickets still available at Miami-Homestead for the Big Day. They also have some campsites available. I am SOOOOO tempted to be spontaneous and just pack up and go, but since we just winterized the RV on Tuesday and since there is that nasty little matter of jobs .....
We will be watching all the coverage from the comfort of home. We'll watch everything pre-race, and truth be told, we will probably have the Nascar station playing on the Sirius/XM too! Even during the race we will mute the television and listen to the MRN broadcast. Those guys are great and there are far less commercials. I told you, we are really big fans!
And unlike the Super Bowl parties we usually attend, we will be watching this one alone. No kids. No friends. Nobody. We're not trying to be anti-social or offend anyone. It's just that, well, we don't want to miss a second of the excitement and they might want to talk and be all sociable ;-)
I'm already planning our menu. I haven't decided exactly what it will be, but I know this much -- it will be a make-ahead something. Maybe wings, grilled then kept warm in the sauce in the crockpot. Or maybe pulled pork sandwiches. What I do know is I'm not cooking OR serving after the race starts. It will be every Nascar fan for themself at this Happy Wife's house!
What are your Championship Race Day plans? Whatever they are, I hope you have a great time! And don't call me - I won't be answering the phone that day either!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
MARTINSVILLE -- THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY!
Well, we have returned safe and sound from an absolutely gorgeous weekend in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It was a perfect weather weekend and the fall colors on the mountains were positively electric! What a perfect time of year to visit this area of our country. We feel so fortunate to live close enough to be able to take in this spectacle provided to us courtesy of Mother Nature!
There were lots of things I consider GOOD about the weekend. VERY GOOD, in fact. At the top of the Good List would of course be the race itself. Probably the best race of the year so far. Not a single fan left the track disappointed!
Also GOOD for us was the interesting side trip we took to a little town about two hours north of Martinsville called Lexington. It is the home of Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University. It is also the location of Stonewall Jackson's home and gravesite. The town is a very cool college town, complete with small boutiques and neat little restaurants. There are also two craft breweries that we just had to check out also! We brought home several different beers to share with our boys. I also bought something I have never seen before - a growler of iced coffee tapped over nitro. It is amazingly delicious, and my girls are going to love it!
Along with all the good, there was also some BAD. And, sadly, I can't say that I was surprised at what I found to be BAD. It was the behavior of some of the fans. I know bad behavior is becoming prevalent in our society as a whole, but c'mon! Booing the UNC Marching Band when they were introduced to perform the National Anthem?!?! Because why - you are a Duke fan? Shame on you!
And then there are those who think that the "no smoking" signs apply to everyone except them. And those people are usually sitting in front of me. This weekend was no exception. Young guys who ran out of money because of all the beer they bought so they bummed cigarettes from others around them. Really?!
And, lastly, the BAD behavior of those fans who find satisfaction is standing and giving the finger to a driver who is beating their driver. Newsflash -- HE CAN'T SEE YOU! But the little kids sitting around you certainly can. Or the fan who thought he was funny when, after the race, Brad Keselowski was passing by in his golfcart and he had to shout out "You suck!" Some people are just idiots.
And lastly, the UGLY. And the UGLY AWARD goes to the Virginia police who hid themselves along Route 581, where the speed limit goes from 70 on a two-lane highway to 55 on a three-lane highway (WHY?!?!?!) and then ticketed every out-of-state driver they saw because they knew it was an easy score. Thanks. I feel better now.
How about you? What were your GOOD, BAD & UGLY moments at Martinsville?
There were lots of things I consider GOOD about the weekend. VERY GOOD, in fact. At the top of the Good List would of course be the race itself. Probably the best race of the year so far. Not a single fan left the track disappointed!
Also GOOD for us was the interesting side trip we took to a little town about two hours north of Martinsville called Lexington. It is the home of Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University. It is also the location of Stonewall Jackson's home and gravesite. The town is a very cool college town, complete with small boutiques and neat little restaurants. There are also two craft breweries that we just had to check out also! We brought home several different beers to share with our boys. I also bought something I have never seen before - a growler of iced coffee tapped over nitro. It is amazingly delicious, and my girls are going to love it!
Along with all the good, there was also some BAD. And, sadly, I can't say that I was surprised at what I found to be BAD. It was the behavior of some of the fans. I know bad behavior is becoming prevalent in our society as a whole, but c'mon! Booing the UNC Marching Band when they were introduced to perform the National Anthem?!?! Because why - you are a Duke fan? Shame on you!
And then there are those who think that the "no smoking" signs apply to everyone except them. And those people are usually sitting in front of me. This weekend was no exception. Young guys who ran out of money because of all the beer they bought so they bummed cigarettes from others around them. Really?!
And, lastly, the BAD behavior of those fans who find satisfaction is standing and giving the finger to a driver who is beating their driver. Newsflash -- HE CAN'T SEE YOU! But the little kids sitting around you certainly can. Or the fan who thought he was funny when, after the race, Brad Keselowski was passing by in his golfcart and he had to shout out "You suck!" Some people are just idiots.
And lastly, the UGLY. And the UGLY AWARD goes to the Virginia police who hid themselves along Route 581, where the speed limit goes from 70 on a two-lane highway to 55 on a three-lane highway (WHY?!?!?!) and then ticketed every out-of-state driver they saw because they knew it was an easy score. Thanks. I feel better now.
How about you? What were your GOOD, BAD & UGLY moments at Martinsville?
Sunday, October 19, 2014
NASCAR - THE TIE THAT BINDS
Here is the thing about Nascar fans - they are everywhere. You probably just don't know it! For whatever reason, many people won't admit that they are a fan of the sport. Maybe it is because of the image most people have of stereotypical race fan - toothless, uneducated, beer drinking hillbilly - you get the idea. But once you break the ice with that first awkward comment ... "we follow Nascar" or some such other 'bait' statement ... they come out of the woodwork!
We had this very thing happen to us this past weekend while we were fall camping. On our nightly walk to check out all the gorgeous motorcoaches at the campground, we stopped to chat with a couple who was sitting by their campfire. About ten minutes into the conversation Hubby said something about a campground we had been to for a race weekend. Well .... two hours later (!) we finished our walk, but not before they invited us to their campsite to watch the race on their outdoor TV the next evening. It was a chilly autumn night, but we had a blast with these crazy new friends from New Jersey.
And this very kind of thing happens everywhere we go. A casual comment made in passing, hanging our track flag banner from the RV, playing the Nascar station from our Sirius XM outdoor speakers. All of these have brought so many fun and interesting people into our lives. We have stayed in touch with some, gotten pointers on where to stay and where to park from others. At Bristol last year we tailgated with a rowdy bunch from California and we still laugh when we tell those stories!
It's another reason why this Nascar Wife loves going to races. They are about so much more than the race, although that would be reason enough. We meet the NICEST people and make the best memories!!
As for that crazy couple from New Jersey .... we told them they should come to Martinsville with us next weekend. So they are!! Someone should probably warn the track we are coming!
We had this very thing happen to us this past weekend while we were fall camping. On our nightly walk to check out all the gorgeous motorcoaches at the campground, we stopped to chat with a couple who was sitting by their campfire. About ten minutes into the conversation Hubby said something about a campground we had been to for a race weekend. Well .... two hours later (!) we finished our walk, but not before they invited us to their campsite to watch the race on their outdoor TV the next evening. It was a chilly autumn night, but we had a blast with these crazy new friends from New Jersey.
And this very kind of thing happens everywhere we go. A casual comment made in passing, hanging our track flag banner from the RV, playing the Nascar station from our Sirius XM outdoor speakers. All of these have brought so many fun and interesting people into our lives. We have stayed in touch with some, gotten pointers on where to stay and where to park from others. At Bristol last year we tailgated with a rowdy bunch from California and we still laugh when we tell those stories!
It's another reason why this Nascar Wife loves going to races. They are about so much more than the race, although that would be reason enough. We meet the NICEST people and make the best memories!!
As for that crazy couple from New Jersey .... we told them they should come to Martinsville with us next weekend. So they are!! Someone should probably warn the track we are coming!
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