Our First NASCAR Race - Pure Michigan 400

Luck isn't something that follows us on a daily basis but we did manage to get a little dose of it when Heather won NASCAR tickets from Kool FM.  The tickets were for a race at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Without much time to plan the trip we scrambled to find a suitable solution.  We were once again lucky when VROCers Scotty and Marlene from Adrian, Michigan offered us accommodations for the night before the race. Adrian is a town less than 30 minutes from the racetrack but being one of the biggest towns in the area, a lot of visitors stay here, even some NASCAR haulers.

On the way to Adrian on Saturday evening we stopped in Dundee for a quick supper as well as a fresh pie.  We spent the evening out on the porch shooting the breeze and spent the night sleeping on an air mattress.

We were up just after 5am on Sunday and after saying goodbye to our hosts, we drove to Wal-Mart for some last minute supplies and then drove in darkness to Brooklyn.  We arrived at the track at 6am and were the last car in the first row of parking at the Highway 12 entrance.

Hwy 12 entrance to MIS

We spent the next six hours taking in the atmosphere around the racetrack, shopping for souvenirs and otherwise enjoying our first experience at a NASCAR event.  That experience included visiting the MIS rookie tent where we got a chance to meet Slugger Labbe, Paul Menard's crew chief.

Heather with Slugger Labbe

Heather in front of a racecar in the fan area

Our lucky streak continued to stay with us as we also got to be fifth or so in line to meet Michael Waltrip who  showed up in the NAPA trailer to sign copies of his book, In the Blink of an Eye.  Even before meeting him, I decided to become a fan of his team and especially his main driver Martin Truex Jr.  I can't really explain why I chose his team since I still consider myself to be a new NASCAR fan.  Maybe it's because I always enjoy their TV commercial.  Those guys know how to have fun.  I didn't get an autograph because I'm not really big on getting them but I did shake Michael's hand even though it was an awkward handshake with him holding a Sharpie in his right hand.

Michael Waltrip signing Heather's book

MIS water tower

We were inside the race track nearly two hours before the race which was scheduled to start shortly after 1:30pm.  Our seats were towards the bottom in between Turns 1 & 2.  We could have moved up since most NASCAR races don't sell out these days but the thought never crossed my mind.  For our trouble we got covered in rubber debris.  The race ended with Kyle Busch winning and Heather and I baking in the heat.

Leaving the track, we were one of the first cars to leave although I was cut off by an antsy driver which made us take a somewhat longer route towards the border.  With nothing but souvenirs to declare, we got home around 8pm.