FRIDAY AT THE TRACK

I got to the track around 7am when the track opened. I headed toward the pit area. At this track, you can buy a Pre-Race Pit pass for $45 good for the entire weekend. It gains you access to the pit area, but NOT THE GARAGE AREA. They also clear people with these passes out of the pits an hour before any race, but if there is no race, you could stay in the pits to watch practice or qualifying. The weather was cloudy and raining lightly. The pit area between the pit row suites and the fenced-in garage area was not crowded with people. I walked around, looking for drivers. Jerry Nadeau walked from the garage to the snack bar, with no one noticing him. On his way back to the garage I grabbed him for an autograph and picture. It got boring as it kept raining and the cars were in the garages. I walked around some more, and noticed people gathered around a door at the far end of the pits. It turned out to be the track weight room. Inside excercising were Darrell Waltrip and Ward Burton. I hung around to get their autographs as they left. By then it was around 10:30am. I headed back to the front of the grandstand area where they were going to have a ceremony with Mark Martin where he would put his prints and signature in a slab of wet cement, commemorating his victory in the 2nd California 500. The rain was really coming down now. By the time I got to the Walk of Fame ceremony area, it was already crowded with people for an event which was still an hour away. I really wanted to see this, but since I couldn't get a good spot to see, and it was raining, I decided to leave.

Jerry Nadeau, driver of the #9 Cartoon Network car, and me.

Ward Burton exiting the track Fitness Center.

Me and Ward Burton.

Darrell Waltrip exiting the Fitness Center.

Darrell signing my cap.

I got Harry Gant to sign my hat, as I found him in the #33 Skoal souvenier trailer.

Here's the crowd at the Mark Martin Walk of Fame ceremony. I sure wish I had an umbrella....