Race day, a first

I'm not a talker in the mornings. I prefer silence as my mind shakes the slumber and wakes up to the world. So I sat quietly, enjoying the scenery as we headed south on I-65, listening to the chatter of every one else in the race toter.

It was my first time going with LT to one of his races. I have been a spectator at many of them, showing up just before race time, enjoying track dogs and beers in the stands watching from afar but never spent the whole day with him, in the pits, in the middle of the action.

A few hours later we arrived at the track and the day began. It was a constant flurry of moving equipment, getting things set up, working on the car. I basically stayed my distance and watched from pit wall. The last thing I wanted to do was get in the way and mess something up!

It's funny how much the atmosphere sucks you in. I shared the frustration when practice times weren't what LT was hoping for. I held my breath every time a car wrecked hoping he would avoid it. I was mad as hell with him when his tire popped with less than 10 laps left. And I was so excited when he finished the race 6th.

I loved being down there, meeting everyone, experiencing it all firsthand, spending an entire day watching him do what he loves.