Folks, this evening a tired but happy writer comes to you. As my family and friends know I am a huge NASCAR fan and in particular Kevin Harvick fan. This weekend Kentucky Speedway hosted it 3rd Quaker State 400 race in Sparta, Kentucky.
Just to give you a little back about me and NASCAR, I attended my first race at the 2006 Daytona 500. I thought that it would be one of those things that I could mark off of my bucket list and be done with it. Over the next four years I attended at least one and sometimes two races in NASCAR's top three series at Daytona, Charlotte and Kentucky. My addiction was born.
Racing was something that I shared with my dad. Every week we gathered on his couch and watched the race. I cherished my Sunday afternoons with him because it was about so much more than racing. Inevitably we discussed NASCAR bringing a Sprint Cup Event to out beloved Kentucky Speedway. Every year he surprised me with a Nationwide ticket and we prayed for a race at "our" track. In 2010 we were estastic when we heard that Bruton Smith had actually done it. We would have a race.
By fall 2010 my dad had some medical problems that landed him on the liver transplant list. We got the call November 21st that they had a liver for him. I remember it was a Sunday because as we sat in the hospital waiting on the liver to arrive from South Carolina we watched Jimmie Johnson become 5 time. I made the trip to the hospital each day. On the way there was an electronic billboard that advertised the race. Every day I would tell dad which driver was on the billboard and count down to the race. He never saw a Sprint Cup race at Kentucky. My dad lived for 32 more days and spent all but three hours of it in the hospital. We buried him in his sunglasses per his wishes because he thought the drivers looked cool in them.
Each year since I continue the tradition of going to the race as my birthday present (only now we have season tickets). There has been well document problems but let me tell you I have never regretted going. Each year has brought me joy. Yesterday during the rain delay I meet people from several different states and even Canada. We got to go to the season ticket party and met the Turtleman and Matt Kenseth. Saw Coach Cal. Big deal for the BBN fan in me. We tailgated, people watched and toured the haulers. You will be happy to know I did get my Kevin Harvick tee shirt. That is a must as it is another tradition. Not a great day for the 29 team but a solid top 10. Seven in a roll...consistancy wins championships!
I'm not saying that I enjoyed the race being postponed until Sunday. I'm just saying that I made the best of the rain. And for all you traffic haters...both days we went from the parking lot to drive way in Louisville in a little over an hour and a half. Thank you Kentucky Speedway! Can't wait to come back next year.
