Myself and four other impulsive media representatives were graciously welcomed into the racing community by the behind-the-scenes personnel and the various racing teams that daringly volunteered the pride and joy out of their racing trailers. These were lightweight speed machines that they painstakingly tuned up to compete in themselves. They came from all over the country. Lee, the real driver of number 34, hails from Alabama. He gave me a rundown of vital information to get the most out of his slingshot. His team members welcomed me into the team, snapping pictures and wishing me luck, so I felt like part of the family.
By the time I was pushed out to the Pepsi coated oval in a sheet metal and roll bar cocoon, I was snug and secure. Three practice laps, and then go to green for five laps were our instructions. The start was not the tight formation you see real drivers form. We were spread out all over the track. My main objective was to keep off the wall. In the straight-aways I gained on the car in front of me. I managed to squeeze in between it and the third turn wall. I couple of bumps and I passed it. By the time I was in head-to-head competition, the yellow flag came out and the race was halted abruptly due to a crash in the outside fourth turn concrete barrier. Good thing that racing team brought a spare car. The front frame was badly bent and the driver, Veronica Dudo from TV-40 was visibly shaken.
Someone reached in and turned off the ignition key with a smiley face key chain and the race was done. I climbed out of the car and conferred with a race official in the infield. “It’s a little different than driving to work!” he joked. I replied, “It’s a lot more fun!”