Racing, driving and racing
06/09/2003
I spent a good part of the day Saturday waiting for the IRL race to start. See I printed the schedule for TMS and headed out to watch ROMCO (super late models) qualifying at 1:00 pm.
I got to the track and realized that there was something way wrong. The parking lot was still closed and there were just a few cars in the lot. I pulled in and grabbed my gear and figured that the crowd just didn’t make. After wondering around the vendor area it was time to head into the qualifying. T and I headed to the gate and it was locked. You could hear the cars on the track but we could not get in. I double checked the schedule and that’s when I noticed the schedule then listed gates at 3. Why would you post an event on the schedule that is closed to the public? Why not put a note on it?
I ended hanging out with T and a nice elderly couple in the beer garden. We sat and chatted and I grabbed the most discussing pretzel. It was a pizza pretzel, tomato sauce stuck into the dough. Icky but I was hungry. Well the gates finally opened and we were able to get into the track. I headed up to the lifetime seats as they were in the shade and I am still sunburned. Did I mention I now have a floppy straw hat? It look like Jack Roush’s signature hat. I watched the ROMCO race it was lots of fun. It was a 70 lap or timed race. They had to clear the track for the pre race ceremonies. It was an exciting race. Did I mention they are racing in Kyle in a couple of weeks? I can’t wait to see that race on the short track I just put that on my schedule for next Saturday night. There was also the most handsome guy that was with one of the teams there. I hope I can manage to bump into him when they are in town. Hum, fast cars and pretty boys just was I need.
The IRL racers took the track and the pre race stuff started. They had an exhibition with motorcycle riders free style jumping a 45 foot gap with 2 ramps. It was kinda neat but those guys are a little to extreme for me. Hands off, feet off and all sorts of tricks with the bikes over the gap. Reminded me of the MTV Sports and Music fiasco a few years ago.
The IRL cars are fast. The race ended in a Green/White then Checkered finish. Al Unser Jr. the Texas home state favorite managed to win the race. 200 laps at 168.2 average speed. One of the scariest moments of the race was when # 10 Thomas Scheckter entered the pits and pulled away with the fuel vent still attached. The fuel man caught fire. Yes they guy was on fire thank god he had the full fire suite on. They extinguished the fire and the crew member continued to pit for the team. The team chit chat during the race was much more “professional” than I normally listen to at the track. I can say that the IRL teams wear better watches and more pressed attire. Hum, the rich boys racing league? The race ended at 9:15 pm.
TMS opened the garage and pit area to the fans after the race. It was neat, they have a little more high tech equipment than the NASCAR teams. The cars are defiantly more delicate and they are gently placed in the haulers. It was a mass crowd in the garage areas and I just wondered for about an hour. I don’t know if this is normal for this crowd, but it was sure difficult for the teams to pack up there tools and gear and move around the garages. I am sure after a full day of racing they just wanted to go home.
I managed to get to the Fort Worth house without a lot of hassle. I ended up packing up Sunday morning and heading back to Austin earlier than I thought. I had planned on going to church with some of the neighbors but it was pouring and by the time I cleaned the house, vacuumed the carpets and loaded up my gear, there was no way I was going to do that again after church. I just decided to pack up Saba into the car and head down the highway home. I got here in time to watch the NASCAR Winston Cup race from Pennsylvania. I did end up taking a nap during the race, but I have it on tape and will finish watching the parts I missed tonight.
