A Night At The Races

Last night was my first night serving as Trophy Girl at South Sound Speedway. Shelly asked me to do it for the entire season, but being down there every Saturday night from March until October would get a little old I think. So I'm just filling in as needed. And last night was the first of eight scheduled weekends for me for the summer.

The Parade Lap starts at 6:30pm, and racing follows. This means the Campbell Chrysler Dodge-sponsored Pace Car leads us out, and I ride in the Trophy Car behind the Pace Car. This car also comes from Campbell, but every week its a different Trophy Car from the dealership. Last night was a Dodge Caliber. The Trophy Car Driver was a dealer from Campbell, and he was so sweet! He told me all about his grandkids, how he's getting ready to retire, and all sorts of other things.

Last night was Military Appreciation Night at the track. For the Parade Lap, they invited some of the Army soldiers that were there in uniform to come down on the track. The guy that stands on the tower and waves the flags during the race is responsible for coming and getting me out the Trophy Car and walking me around on the track. So, he came over, opened the door, and we walked down to the bottom of the straightaway, and a Navy Officer sang the National Anthem. Then, back to the Trophy Car, and we make some laps with the Pace Car. Then the racing begins!!

They rand four different classes last night: Wesco Sprint Cars, Mini Stocks, Vintage Modified's, and Limited Late Models (those are the really cool, big, fast cars!). Each class ran a Trophy Dash, and so I got to go out after the Heat Races and present trophies and take pictures. It was so windy last night that my hair kept blowing in my face. But luckily Stormy is really good at timing her pictures, so she managed to get some WITHOUT hair in the my face.

Next were heat races, which don't have trophies. So I hung out in the stands, got something to eat, and enjoyed the racing taking place. After intermission, they started the mains.

The Mini stocks were first, followed by the Wesco Sprints, then the Vintage Modified's, and finally the Limited Late Models. After each main, I went out and presented trophies. It was so fun to be out there, with the crowd cheering. And all of the drivers were so nice. During the mains, I either stood down next to the track and watched from the pits, or sat in the Trophy Car when I got cold. The Pace Car Driver came over and asked if I wanted to go out in the Pace Car with him! So, I jumped in. Every time there was a wreck, we got to go out and line the cars up. It was SO neat flying around the track, and looking back and seeing 16 Late Model cars behind you, all lined up. Plus, there was a track radio in the car, so I got to hear everything the track officials were saying.

So, needless to say, it was a very fun night. Everyone was so nice down there, and I even met the owner of the track. Can't wait to do it again on July 12th!