On the Road Again ... Daytona

Saturday - Feb 14th

What about that #1 team!

All I can say - Johnny, Trip and the rest of the #1 team did their job and put on quite a show for 46 laps ... They showed again that it doesn't matter where you can qualify - just have a truck that handles and allows you to get to the front.

I been asked several times - what's your take on all the rookies? No opinion. But I guess I did not realize that I needed to worry about the veterans. It was a sad moment on lap 47. The best news is that JB is ok.

Well - hope you enjoyed the blogs from Daytona and found them to be entertaining.

Happy Valentines Day and I'm on the way to the beach. My race news will be in the 1st newsletter of 2009. (If I go home to write it. I guess there is 5 inches of snow waiting for me)

Go JB and the #1 team!
 

Thursday - Feb 12th -  pm …

I was up at 6:00 a.m. to post my blog from Wednesday, then it was time to hit the beach for a early morning walk. There were many race fans walking the beach with their racing gear.

It was off to the track - I made it by 9:30 a.m. Trying to find the entrance to the infield posed a challenge, but I finally found my way to the motor coach. Let me just say that the security workers take their job very seriously.

I found JB’s truck right away … I obviously had another misconception that Johnny would be parked in the #1 spot. Not true. Winning the drivers championship does not transfer any privileges into the new year. The #1 one truck was parked between the #5 and the #22. A little déjà vu if I say so myself.

Before practice starts I roam into the #1 transporter. The first person I see is JB along with familiar faces of Trip, Woody, Pickle, Brandon and Chris. The truck chief is the step brother of Gary Putnam who worked on JB’s Valvoline #10 car - so he said we had already met. They were all very nice and the transporter is beautiful. The lockers are at the back, so I lost my seat in the back - but Woody assured me that I would have place for my purse. So my world is all good!

My camera went into action for the perfect photo … The camera phone also went into action so I could email a photo to my parents.

I walked through the garage area to scope out familiar faces … Kevin Cywinski and Nate Theisse were in sight so I got to congratulate them on their ARCA win. James Buesscher joined the conversation. I told him that now Chaffee has a Daytona victory lane celebration and I do not! James told me I could join him in victory lane on Friday and I thought were is ARCA racing on Friday. (Blonde moment). He laughed and I said, no way - when I realized he meant the truck race. I then reminded him to take a look at the #1 truck!

Quizno - JB’s engine tuner from last year is now working for Michael Waltrip Racing …. The #33 engine tuner stopped by and showed me his photos of his new baby. I asked him if he got to eat free at Longhorn, since they are sponsoring Hornaday. He laughed, “Barb, it’s chewing tobacco. If you need a supply - I can get you some chew”. Just what I need! (Another blonde moment).

Spoke with Dennis Schoenfield and congratulated him on his good finish at the snowball derby. He works on the #15 and was a crew member for Johnny on the Valvoline car.

It was my intention to meet the team and take a few photos, but once the trucks lined up for practice - I thought I should stay for practice. I mean who needs the beach anyways ….

Johnny was on the track and they made notes of the RPM’s and temps while he ran by himself. By 12:15 p.m. Johnny was in the draft dicing it up with Hornaday, Sauter, Bodine, Scott and Crafton. Johnny appeared to be happy with the handling.

I stood on top of the transporter. Watching the single file runs was fine, but when JB started to practice in the draft I started to feel light headed and remembered that it would be best if I got off the truck. The beach was calling me.

I got back to the hotel in time for the Duels. It was convenient to be sitting outside enjoying the ocean while watching the races from the deck. We ended up watching qualifying from the restaurant. No sound - so you know more about what JB said then I did …

On to the race!

Thursday - Feb 12th -  AM 

The 2009 season has begun … A new year and a new team. I admit the anticipation is a little nerve wracking. I mean a girl got to make sure that she has a place to put her pursue while she spends the day socializing.

By now you may have heard that JB is driving a black truck sponsored by K & N Filters and the #5 is now decked out in Exide colors. Many of you are in disbelief about this change - but we all need to realize that some things are just not meant to be. It also strange to see all the paint and number changes.

On to my travels starting on Tuesday ….

You would think that I would have my packing under control with all of my travels - no such luck on this trip. I was up at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday and decided that I needed a bigger suitcase - ha! On Monday, I had the brilliant idea to get a computer sleeve, so I would not have to use my computer bag - but it was too big and none of my bags would work. (You know a girl can never have too many bags).

After working at my day job, I was officially on vacation and on to the airport. I visited my favorite ticket counter - Northwest Airlines. Smooth sailing through security and the clock was ticking for the boarding call. What a difference a year makes! Bad weather in 2008 forced me to rebook my flight 3 times and I spent 24 hours just trying to make it out of Grand Rapids. Needless to say, Tuesday was a much different story - 61 degrees and the promise of green grass as the snow melted.

My flight landed into Tampa. I did not see anyone wearing racing gear, but noticed that there were a few Ohio State shirts once I boarded in Detroit. (Good thing I’m not a Michigan fan!)

The rental counters were in a different location and they did not have gold curb service. The gave the ticket agent my information. She said. “Oh no” I said - “You can’t be out of cars?” She replied, “Your profile says - no mustangs and that’s all we have left” I said - “You’re right. I have a problem with my right foot and I do not need the extra attention.” Well, I ended up with the mustang and the color just happens to be bright red. Just what I need to attract the Florida State Police! I guess it’s not too bad when you originally rented a compact car!

Once I figured out how to turn on the lights it was on to Bradenton to spend the night and visit my Aunts. After several cups of coffee in the morning, it was back in the mustang with my eye closely on the speedometer to head to Daytona.

As I approached the track, the traffic seemed a little heavy. The first practice for the Trucks was just ending. There were several hotels advertising a couple of rooms that they have left. Found the credential office to purchase my license and my race ticket.

I decided to travel the back roads to get to A1A instead of following the road in front of the track. I went right through an area that had motorcycles, outdoor bars and leather shops. Guess I know where people spend their time during bike week!

As I traveled down A1A - there was a little traffic, but it was not too bad. There seemed to be vacancies everywhere. I can’t recall seeing one hotel that was booked. Glenda and Rick, along with friends Bob and Connie arrived in Jacksonville yesterday and were already settled into the hotel. It’s nice to have friends that have scoped out the attractions and the lay of the land before you arrive.

The ocean view is fantastic … We booked our room through Expedia for two nights. I remember the days when there was a 7 night minimum - do you remember those days?

Watched the late practice session from the hotel room. JB was at the front of the pack and then he decided to get to the back of the pack. The great news is that Rocky Ryan returns as his eye in the sky. (I’m comforted with that). JB ran just 10 laps in first practice. He said it was no big deal - just experimenting to see where he needed to be. In the 2nd practice, he continued to find the right groove. Quick reflexes allowed JB to avoid contact as trucks in front of him made contact.

Well, I have blabbed on enough for one day … The garage opens at 9:00 a.m. and practice starts at 11:00 am. It’s my intention to be there when it opens … We will see how that goes!

Talk to you later!

BB

Wed - Feb 11th

I have made it to Florida ... I promise to give you some tidbits from the last 24 hours - but I plan on heading to the room to watch practice.

Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions on the blog name. I plan on using a few of them - they are great!

I'm so happy to be in Daytona. Staying right on the beach - so I have a good room with a view.

I plan on writing my notes while watching practice. Luckily the hotel has wireless in the lobby, pool area and bar - so we are covered!

Talk to you soon!

BB aka The Champion's sister!