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A Day At Michigan Speedway
By: Barb Benson
Since Johnny has taken a hiatus from racing, I decided
to travel to Michigan Speedway when the Nextel Cup and
Nationwide series were making their appearance.
What a better way to spend a Saturday when it's 90
degrees and humid!
Left Grand Rapids at 7:00
a.m. and arrived at MIS just after 9:00 a.m. Drove
into the area where the NASCAR truck was located get my
garage pass. Bad news - it didn't open until 10:40
a.m.!
After cruising around the track to see friends in the
camping area and pick up will call tickets for other
friends it time to head into the infield. The gate
officials were very understanding about the delay of
getting my pass - so they let me in through the tunnel.
It's nice to have friends with connections and my car
had a premier parking spot just outside the driver's
motor home compound.
It was fun to watch the race of the mini vans and rental
cars bringing in the crew guys that had to be ready when
the Nextel Cup garage opened at 10:30 a.m.
Everyone had back packs and were ready for their day of
practice sessions and adjustments.
It was finally time for me to head back to the NASCAR
truck. Once they opened the doors, the line moved
very quickly. They have a guard at the door and you are
expected to have the paperwork filled out completely
before entering. A big sign on the door informs
fans to refrain from talking on cell phones. They
have 4 NASCAR employees checking people in and one
person overseeing the production line. It took me
a total of 20 minutes from the time I stood in line,
until I was out the door.
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My view of the NASCAR
Truck as I stood in line |
I made it back to the "parking spot" and ran into
Kyle Busch's girlfriend, Samantha - just as she was
walking their two dogs. She was looking forward to
her parents arriving at the track and hanging out with
her as Kyle went to work.
Finally made it into the garage area. I forgot how
tight the garage conditions are. In the last few
years I have been there - the Truck Series do not have
garages - so I totally forgot about the working
conditions. The teams are truly spoiled at
Charlotte and Atlanta - when you compare them.
#20 Home Depot
Garage Stall |
There is another team along
side the #5 team in this opening |
Tires are an important part of
the race strategy and the crew chiefs count on their tire
people to get it right on measurements and air pressure.
Here are a few of my friends working hard their tire
inventory up to par.
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Bill
Byrne is working on
air pressures for the #20 team |
Jerald
Shires is taking inventory of
the #20 team's tires. Jerald keeps all
the data computerized. Even when the
garage closes, he still has to take his
free time to enter the data! |
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Lisa Smokstad |
Lisa
Smokstad is one of the few women who work on the
cars in the Cup Series. I met her during the
ASA days and have always tried to touch base with
her when I'm at the track. She is currently
working at Hendrick Motorsports and fills in where
she is needed. She is with the #88 team after
starting the year with the #48 team. Her
husband works for Red Bull Racing and has a 2 year
old daughter. |
The only on track activity for the Cup drivers was 2
practice sessions. Unless they were competing in
the Nationwide Series - which 14 of them were.
Nationwide had qualifying, driver's meeting and the
race. The Cup drivers relied on their PR reps to
get them in the right place at the right time.
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Another view of
the garage area |
Jimmie
Johnson gets the
first garage as the past champion and then
it goes to the point
leader - Tony Stewart |
A view
of the trucks
from the Goodyear Tire
compound |
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My view from a chair
behind the #20 transporter |
As you can see the cars
are
moving by pretty close |
Once the Cup practice started, I went to the Nationwide
garage area to see some old friends. The first
person I ran into was Rusty Wallace - we said hi and
then I ran into Steven. He said hi and then
remembered who I was. (He drove Johnny's late
model at Berlin Raceway a few years ago). Steven
told me Trip was in the transporter, so I made my way in
to see my favorite crew chief. You would think I
could take a better photo of Trip - I always seem to
snap the photo with his eyes closed!
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Steven Wallace
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Trip Bruce
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The garage area was bustling with activity.
Drivers dashing from their motor homes to the
transporter and then finally to their driver's seat in
their vehicles. Fans are rushing towards the
drivers to grab the elusive autograph.
Unfortunately, the drivers can not accommodate everyone.
And some driver's slip out around the fans to get to
their garage. If you a people watcher - this
is the place to be. Some of the driver's I crossed
paths with were Bobby Labonte, Kasey Kahne, Tony
Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Joey
Logano, Matt Kenseth, Mike Skinner, David Stremme,
Bill Elliott and Kurt Busch.
A had a couple of fan moments ... Our friend Drew works
for Richard Petty Motorsports - so I wondered if he was
at MIS. Since AJ Allemdinger was sitting at the
back of his hauler - I asked if Drew was there.
Then I was talking to Kim who works at Speed at the back
of Junior's transporter when Junior and his pack of fans
arrived after final practice. I couldn't believe I
was that close to him. I never had the opportunity
to meet him and I just stood there. I forgot to
get my camera out!
Other friends I ran into ....
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Wendy
Venturini
is one of the nicest people
in the media. She comes
from a racing family
and loves her job.
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Bob
Dillner loves all types
of racing - especially
short track racing. Not only does he work for
Speed -
he has a website
51 sportsracing.com
that promotes all types
of short track racing. |
Drew
Brown and
Richard PettyWhat can I say
about
Drew - he has been
Johnny's friend since
the Pennzoil years!
(He said he's wants
residuals from this photo!) |
Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into the garage area at MIS!
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