Winners at Bristol About This Page:

[mestitch]

"Winners at Bristol"
WHO: Me (melissa) and DH (Andy)
WHAT: NASCAR Race
WHERE: Bristol, TN
WHEN: April 2-3, 2005

So we find out Friday that we have the 2 tickets to the Busch race. I come home from work, get online and spend 2 hours trying to find somewhere to spend Saturday night. Everywhere within a 30 mile radius is booked up I found a website for a bed and breakfast in Kingsport (about 20 min. from the racetrack) and just decided to call and see if anything was available. Believe it or not the lady had one room! Someone had canceled earlier in the day and we lucked out! So I snatched that room right up immediately. After that I went out, got two new back tires put on my car, came home and packed, and we were all set for tomorrow morning.

At 8:00 am Saturday morning we were on our way to Bristol. Traffic was very easy to get through, but the closer we go to Bristol, the more is started to rain. So I was getting a little nervous. We pulled into the free parking lot at the track at 11:30 and, , it was still raining. So we decided to tough it out, (we had driven 3 1/2 hours so we were going to do and see something!). We caught the free shuttle to the front gate and toured around the fan area. The view of the track out the window of the bus shows how miserable the day was starting out to be

Once we got off the bus we toured around the fan area. We got to see Kevin Harvick's car (even though he's one of my least favorite drivers)
We went into the Nextel Experience area and Andy decided I should drive the race simulator car. I warned him we'd be spinning around or hitting the wall every 5 seconds... which we did for the first few laps. But I started to get the hang of it.

I drove the #48 Jimmie Johnson car. I was nervous when I first got in that it would be a stick shift and I have no clue how to drive a stick, so I was still trying to find my way around the car when the thing started up

While we were in there we got to see the Nextel Cup Trophy which was pretty cool


I got Andy to take my picture with the Rusty Wallace display



After the Nextel Experience we went to find our seats, just to see where they'd be. It was getting close to 2 and we were wondering if the rain would ever stop.

Andy and I got some ponchos and tried to tough it out


But the 40 degree weather, windchill, and rain finally got the better of us and around 3 we decided to give up and go to the bed and breakfast. I felt bad cause I could tell Andy was disappointed we didn't get to see the race, but I told him we should still enjoy our trip and the place we would be staying. Little did we know how much that place would change our trip all together!!

Continued in next post....

[mestitch]

So we check in and go up to our room which was very pretty and pink




I decided we should go down the common area and get something to drink. So we headed downstairs and ran into the other people hanging out in the same area. They talked to us about the race (they had gone too) and then we headed back up to our room. Andy mentioned something to me about how they must be bigwigs or something with racing b/c they were talking more about it than the average fan would. I didn't think anything about it and started flipping channels on the tv in our room. Next thing I know there's a knock at our door. I figured it would be the owners of the house but it was one of the men from downstairs. He asked Andy "So you guys aren't going to the race tomorrow?" Andy explained to him how we were given the tickets for the Busch race only. So then he asks "Well would you like to go?" I almost fell off the bed. He hands over 2 tickets to Andy that are luxury suite tickets. The lady downstairs turned out to be the director of motorsports and licensing for Jamie McMurray!! We were going to the race tomorrow and we'd be seeing it from Jamie McMurray's suite!!! Nothing was settling into my brain quite yet. I couldn't believe what was happening. I went running downstairs to thank her over and over. We came up to Bristol planning on seeing a Busch race (a race that my man Kasey wasn't even racing in) and we'd be leaving having seen a cup race and my boy Kahne!!
Here's a couple shots of us in shock at O'Charley's having dinner



The next morning we were up early and on the way to the race by 8. We pulled in to the parking lot at 8:30 and I told Andy "okay, take two!" And what a much better day it turned out to be. It was sunny and already warmer at 8:30 in the morning than it had been all day yesterday! So we wandered around a little bit and then hopped in line to get inside. Here's a shot of our tickets.. I was still in shock

We get in and they give us a wristband, we take an elevator up to the fifth floor and there we are, standing outside Jamie McMurray's suite. We walked in and were greeted by the hostess, offered breakfast, a free giftbag full of Jamie stuff, and free passes to tour the track!! Could this day get any better?!?!?! We headed down towards the track to get in on the tour before it was too late. We had no clue where to go and kept asking people where to go. My favorite answer was "Just go through those doors and head towards the track" What a genius! Here's our view from the suite




Here we are waiting in line


And then the crowning moment!!


If only I could spot Kasey himself! Here's some more shots of the cars and Andy on pit road




Andy took a picture of me talking to my dad while literally sitting on turn 1


Then we came across the Budweiser horses over on the backstretch

After all the track touring we headed back up to our suite, that's still funny to me to say that! I pulled out the hat from my gift bag to support the boy that brought us there

I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the track as it's set among the mountains




So here's some shots from the race:

Jamie's car


Kasey during driver introductions


The first of many wrecks


All the drivers stopped for the red flag

Kasey atleast finished the race, but ole Harvick won. He came from the very back to win. We headed out to watch the taping of SpeedNation. I had to see Kenny Wallace. That boy cracks me up!

After we watched some of the show we decided it was time to head on out. We had a long drive ahead of us. On our way out we walked under the tunnel the drivers walk through to leave. All of a sudden the mass crowd in front of us started cheering like crazy! We look up and there's Dale Jr. walking across. He tossed his hat down to the crowd and then, out of nowhere, there's my boy. Kasey was walking across. He stopped and waved for a second, but believe it or not, I didn't have my camera ready and he was behind the red net of the tunnel so it wouldn't have turned out anyway. BUT! I did see Kasey up close!

Apparently my luck followed us into NC. As we were driving home we had just passed into NC when all of a sudden this large red thing is looming over us. We lean over to look out the windshield and realize, it's Kasey's trailer! Since we now live in race central all the trucks would be headed back the same way as us. But how funny that out of 43 drivers, Kasey's was the one that passed us on the interstate!


And this one turned out cool b/c of the windshield
I'm sure I freaked the driver out with all my flashes out the window and sunroof

We finally got back home close to midnight and crashed! What a weekend! I never thought it would turn out to be like this when we left Saturday morning but I am very very glad to have experienced my first Nextel cup race in Bristol, TN!

[SuperKate]

I was waiting for you to post this Melissa! Looks like you guys are having a fun time. To bad about the rain !

HOW COOL!! I posted right as you were posting the next installment! You guys had such great luck. I'm glad you had a good time, and as always cute pics!

[Cam22]

I'm just a wee bit jealous. Bristol is one track that I really want to get to. I'd love to go to the night race in the summer! I'm so glad you're weekend turned out so incredible!

[crystalloubear]

Well, DH and I are reading this together and well, I can't really repeat what he said "You lucky sons of ---)" Anyway, how cool is that!!!!!! What a great weekend. I am so happy for you. I knew from the 'tone' of your other post that it was something really good. The only problem now is you will be spoiled - once you see a race like that there is no going back to the regular grandstands - beleive me! My DH is still going nuts over this - especially the Rusty pics. I am so totally happy for you that you had such a cool weekend, but I do have to say "You so totally suck".

[mestitch]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, DH and I are reading this together and well, I can't really repeat what he said "You lucky sons of ---)"

[/ QUOTE ]
Crystal!! Andy's sitting here reading my TR and saw your response and he agreed out loud "we were some lucky sons of ---!"

[GoofyMom]

Melissa, that is so way, way, way AWESOME! I'm not even a race fan and I realize what a terrific opportunity you had!

I'm so glad you had such a terrific weekend!!!!

[loobyoxlip]

I'm not a race fan, but those pictures sure did make me excited for you! How very cool. BTW, your room at the B&B was very pretty

[LizardCop]

Just goes to prove that good things happen to good people!!!

and Glad it worked out for you guys!!!

[KrisLuvsDisney]

I am not a race fan, but loved reading your report! I think that is so cool how your luck turned out! Your pictures were wonderful!

[DopeyGirl]

You were definitely in the right place at the right time!!! JEALOUS, I am!!! I totally agree with what Crystal's DH said!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Wow Melissa, how awesome was that weekend! How great that you got free tickets to a suite

What great pictures! So glad you and Andy had a great time

[lauren-roxy]

Wow, Melissa!! I am not a race fan, but I can feel your enthusiasm clear in Ohio!! Your pictures are awesome and to get to sit in a suite is well, sweet!! Funny how things work out sometimes or you might not have even stayed at the bed and breakfast, which was so beautiful. Nice things do happen to nice people!! Congrats!!

[barb3]

hi!! I AM a race fan and so very pleased for you!!! MY DH works the Watkins race and HE cannot get extra tickets so that I can go!!! Plus you got to see JR. and Kasey Kane
How lucky!!!

[MickeyMAC]

[ QUOTE ]
Melissa, that is so way, way, way AWESOME! I'm not even a race fan and I realize what a terrific opportunity you had!

I'm so glad you had such a terrific weekend!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Melissa me too. I'm so glad you had such a wonderful experience. You were one lucky couple!