racewriter's Blog

Saturday Photo Gallery

Well I must say that it sure is great to have our fellows back on the track. The Nationwide Series Camping World 300 got underway with clear blue skies and temperatures in the hot zone.  The humidity was nothing like it will be in the summer, so for us Floridian’s, it was a perfect day. 

I got myself ready by setting up in the portable media center out by turn one. The TV monitors were up and running, my computer was set on the leader board, my scanner was scanning and MRN was spewing out all the details. And then I put it all down and went outside.  The pre-race show was getting cranked up and what I consider to be the most heart touching part of the show was about to happen. The prayer was said, the anthem sung and then they roared in. No…not the cars…the jets! The F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, better known as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have been here at the airport near Daytona International Speedway for a couple of days now, practicing and generally enjoying the sunshine, and, as is the tradition at NASCAR races, a military flying group usually graces the skies before we holler “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!”

I stood outside for about 20 minutes, waiting and listening to the other pre-race stuff. I must have been pacing or looking anxious because one of the security guards came over and asked if I was waiting for something. “No, just the jets.”I told him. For a second it looked like I caught him off guard, then he smiled and told me to grab a seat on his golf cart, actually his words were “cop a squat”.  The fellow was almost as excited as I was, he greeted anyone that would talk to him as they walked by, gave them directions and  let out a big “woohoo” when he’d hear a car engine fire up.  It was shift change I guess, because his cohorts left and he was then the lone ranger, left to guard the ever protected VIP area that he was stationed at. 

I must have been too busy watching Mr. Sunshine’s antics because the jets snuck up from behind and were over my head before I could even think about getting my camera focused in on them.  “Well rats”, I thought to myself.  My new friend came over and looked anxiously at me, “Did you get ‘em?”, he asked. I shook my head and laughed, “Nope, they were faster than my brain, but they usually come back over on their way to the airport, we’ll see.”  He went back to his spot and continued welcoming the last minute arrivals, and I waited.  Sure enough, those gorgeous jets came over again and then one by one peeled out of formation and headed off. I tried to get a picture, then just put my camera down and watched…they moved with such grace and almost seemed to demand my complete attention, so I gave it. The pictures would have to come some other time.  I think that’s one of the many reasons I love this sport, and there are many…but this is one of my top choices.

The fans had screamed and hollered their way into a frenzy as they too watched those big silver birds soar by. Some of you already know I’m an Air Force brat, married into the Army, and have three boys that have been part of three different branches of the military, the Marines, Army and Air Force.  So my patriotism runs deep and proud.  Patriotism just seems to flow from these races like no other sport that I’ve found, perhaps being one of the reasons it snagged my heart.

So now, when I am in the midst of those emotions that you get when you go to a race, it takes all I have not to get teary eyed when those boys fly over…they are heroes to me. They represent the thousands that sacrifice for all us to enjoy this sport and every other activity we indulge in.  These particular fellows are the best of the best, and get to spend some time showing it off to the American people, and dare I say…we love it!

OH, and yes, I did watch the race today, and I did listen to my scanner, take pictures, write words and  catch the wrecks on the monitor, but if I had to pick out just one favorite moment, I’d say it was when those birds swept through the sky…leaving as quick as they came by.