Charlotte Trip

[ashley832]

This is a bit long....I just have a lot to say and sooo much happened!

We are on the way home right now. I dont have internet but I'm typing this to pass time.

Thursday we left at 3 and headed to Thomasville. We got there and I was super excited to see everything at the shop...especially the 2003 Championship stuff! We got there and they were closed. :( I was sad, but I got to see the building and got to see a little bit by looking into the window.

Then we headed to RCR. We got completely lost and drove around Lexington for like an hour. Finally found it though. We went thru the museum. It was $12 but me and Shayne was only charged $5...I guess we look under 18. HAHAHA Yay!! The mesume was fun. When we were buyin our tickets Richard Childress walked out. Just got to say hi...he was just passing thru.

After that we went to Red Bull. I loved seeing the cars..couldnt see much but I loved it anyways. I bought two shirts there...got 10% off to for being a member of the fanclub!! :) Then we went to RWI. Didnt have much there...two of Steve Wallace's cars. Then I think we went to Braun. Another of my favorites. Saw the 32 car and a cardboard Brian. Then we went to the Memory Lane Museum to meet Bobby Allison. We got there a little after it started and there was like no one there!! We were almost half way to Waltrip's shop and dad couldnt find his camera. Kinda had a freakout and we had to go back and see if he left it. I told him maybe he put it in the trunk but he said he didnt. We got back to Memory Lane and it wasnt there. He looked in the trunk and it was there. Then we finally got to Waltrip. It was really nice. I liked being able to see everything. We went on a tour to the fabricaton shop too. Lots of fun. After that we headed to the hotel. We were so tired. After checking in we went to Applebees...a lot different than home...much better. Then went back to hotel. We were in bed by 8:30 or 9. We were SO tired.

Friday morning we got up at like 5 so we could leave by 6 to get to Penske to get a ticket for the autographs. Its a good thing we left 2 hours early...we got lost again. :) We finally found it though and there wasnt too many people ahead of us. We got our tickets and then went to Gibbs. The signing wasnt until like 2 hours later. Shayne took individual pictures of all of Denny's trophies. haha Dad was talkin to some CEO to a bank as he was leaving and he gave us 2 copies of the new book about Joe Gibbs! I did my Christmas shopping for Shayne here. It was hard. I made dad keep her in a corner while I got it and then ran and hid it in the car. Then we went back to Penske. We got to go into the Verizon hauler. It was pretty neat! We were near the back of the line. We met Parker Kligerman, Justin Allgiar, David Streeme (super nice...talked to us for a while), Kurt Busch (nicer than I expected), Helio Costranos (however you spell it lol), Ryan Briscoe, Rick Mears, Will Power, and some other guy. We dont know who he was...all I can tell from the autograph is Don..LOL. Then we were gonna go to Roush but accidentally stumbled upon DEI. Roush, Yates,Hendricks, and Ganassi Earnhardt were our last stops.

Then we went to find the Speedpark for today. We did and then just kept driving and accidentally found the track! I screamed when I saw it. haha Then we accidentally found the Red Bull Energy Station. We still had a couple hours til cehckin so we walked around. We ended up in the infield. We could see part of the track (small, small section) and got to see some qualifying. We accidentally almost walked into restricted areas...did once and got stopped. hahahah It was funny. While walkin down there we saw Martin Truex walkin on the other side of the fence, Jamie McMurray drive by in a golfcart (we think it was him), Juan Pablo Montoya drive by, and someone else. I'm not sure who it was though.

Then it was finally time to check in. We checked in and then walked up to the Energy Station. It was the BEST. We got to see the end of qualifying and then 2 cup practices. The Energy Station is really nice. Then it was time for the race! During driver introductions, Brian Vickers went by and I didnt even realize it was him until after. I LOVED the pink car and firesuit! So bright! I stood out on the 2nd floor balcony the whole time. It was SO cold. This was the first time I've seen BV race in person. :) A bit after the end we left. It wasnt over, but Shayne had a headache and I was really tired. The only thing: they had gross food. Fish, shrimp, and other stuff I dont like. The only thing I had was hot chocolate. :) Scott Speed made a couple appearances. I saw him go in and out a couple of times...mostly stayed downstairs.

Now to today. It was definately the best ever. We got up early to get to the track to get a ticket for the AJ signing. It was my #1 mission to meet him since I knew I would be meeting BV. So I got my ticket, was gonna get a BV ticket so I could say hi again before leaving but they ran out 2 people ahead of me so I got a Scott Speed (but I could use my fanclub card to get it without a ticket), then got a Joey Logano. We walked around and bought some stuff. I got me a Red Bull backpack. I've been wantin one for ever!! I think they only sell them at the track though. So I got one and got to use to fanclub discount again! Then we headed to the Speedpark. This is where my day gets amazing.

We still had some time so we went to Bass Pro Shop. We were walkin thru and saw Mike Helton!

We got there a bit early but went ahead and got checked in. Got a wristband so we could do anything at the park. I talked to a few people for a bit and then headed out to the track to practice. It was SO fun!! I was doing pretty good until I kept gettin run into by another member...LOL. Dont worry, I got him back later on. ;) Then we went in for lunch. Yummm. We were sittin there and Don announced that BV would be there soon. I got super excited. The 2 cans of Red Bull probably made it even worse. hahah Then we went into another room and he came in. I was so scared that I'd have a freakout and all but I did good controlling myself. :) He did a Q&A. I've thought for months for my question and finally got it the other night and I completely forgot it!!!! I was so mad! Then we got to meet him!

I was one of the firsts in line. He signed my backpack and Talla's hat. I had him put To Talla. She's gonna love it!!!! We talked to him for a few minutes. He remembered me from my video and Talla too!!!! I realized I forgot to give him the four leaf clover I made him so I got back in line. I got it to him and he hopes it'll give him some luck! I hope so!!! (kinda didnt tonight)

And yes, in case you were wondering, he is even cuter in person ;)

Then we headed outside to get a group picture. Of course, me and Shayne was in the front but we had to sit on the ground. I thought BV would've stepped behind us but he sat down right next to us (well, Shayne). On Nascar.com for the forums, the Brian Vickers one is called Vickersville. For those that are on there one of the members made us matching shirts. We all wore them today and had a picture with BV with them on. Yay!! Then it was race time!!

It was SOOOOOOO much fun!! I was in the 2nd race. I jumped in the 18 car (yeah, BOOO) but it was the fastest. BV was right behind me. When we started goin slowly he bumped right into me! Scared me. haha After we went around once we lined up and started goin. I quickly got to the front (thanks Stephen for the tips!!!) and I won!! I almost lapped BV...almost. I did Shayne a time or two. HAHHA It was exciting. When I parked my car wouldnt stop. I was like ok. So Don held it for me so I could get out....and then it started moving and I amost fell...dont worry, BV caught me. HA. Then I watched dad in his race...he actually went twice. Then we went back inside for the raffle.

We had to pick a can of Red Bull and whatever number on the bottom you matched to the stuff and thats what you got. I got #1....a giant calendar...Don said its what they used to make the calendar for this year. Its autographed too. Dad got an autographed diecast. Shayne got a plaque thing that has 2 pieces of sheetmetal on it autographed. I so want that....she said she's not giving it to me and then accidentally admitted that she IS a fan!

I dont know if it was over or not but it was close. We ran outta there to get back to the track. We walked out and BV was there. He got into his car and started drivin off. Dad waved...a few seconds later he stopped and said he didnt see him and waved...LOL. I so wanted to get a ride with so I could get to the track faster. lol

We sat in the mall parking lot for like 50 minutes before getting out onto the road. Then it took a while still to get to the track. When we got there and into a parkin lot I jumped out of the car and ran to the AJ signing. I wasnt gonna miss it. I almost killed myself getting there. LOL I did though. I didnt have time to run to the back of the trailor where the line ended so I ran underneath the neighboring one...when I popped out I think I scared people. HAHAHHAHAHAHA. I was right by the entrance so I seen him go in. It was finally my turn. I had him sign Talla's hat for her too. He thought it was funny a guinea pig is a huge fan. LOL I accidentally "lost" dad's ticket so he got Shayne's. I felt so bad because we found it in the car afterwards. Its my fault Shayne didnt get AJ. Then me and dad ran over to Joey Logano and got him. Then went nextdoor to Scott Speed. While walking to the car we saw Casey Mears and David Ragan signing. Didnt get a ticket for them though.

Now we're on the way home. This has been the best few days ever of my life...especially today. I'm already planning to go again next year. I must go to the fanclub event again. It was too much fun not to. I was so glad to finally meet everyone I've been talkin to online all year. Met Barry (wolf1bh) today...was meaning to get a picture with him for you guys, but kinda forgot because of my AJ mission. lol

I never see any BVs besides myself (but I'm fan enough for 100 people) but this weekend I saw tons, obviously. lol Didnt see many Thursday or Friday during the day but Friday night and today saw tons! haha It was nice knowing theres tons of us out there. :)

Pictures are posted in show and tell. I'm uploading some from yesterday and today right now.

[race crazy]

very cool story Ash! Glad you had fun and youre welcome for the tips in smoking the competition at the kart track!!!! :)

[Shayne1911]

great/ great/ great/ weekend!!!!

in the practice race, i didnt get the memo that the race was over. this girl passed me and started slowing down. and im like YAY i get to pass her back. then i saw cars gathered. i couldnt get the brake in time.. and um ran into a stopped car in front of me. and went on the track.. tried to turn around.. and got stuck against the wall. a worker had to come get me out. HA.

then during the race with BV, i got a REALLY slow car!! 2 people finished behind me though! hah

[wolf1bh]

my go kart was the WORST. but still a blast. yes i totally thought about a photo with you but when it was over y'all were out of there quick, i figured it was for autos at the track though oh well i am sure i will see you at a future race!

[ashley832]

my go kart was the WORST. but still a blast. yes i totally thought about a photo with you but when it was over y'all were out of there quick, i figured it was for autos at the track though oh well i am sure i will see you at a future race!

Yeah, I had to get back to meet AJ. That was my mission. LOL Are you goin next year? Dad already said we'd be going back!

[Shayne1911]

haha/ we/ had/ to/ get/ back/ to/ the/ track/ asap/ to/ meet/ some/ drivers./ didnt/ think/ we/ would/ make/ it./ you/ going/ next/ year??