(the things we do for love. LOL)    

Mr Parts dream was to go to NASCAR. Since the Pocono raceway is practically in our backyard, his dream was able to come true.

 

The race runs two weekends a year June and late July, and wouldn't you know, we were at BOTH of them....not only as spectators, but to WORK there!

 

Camping starts on Thursday night through Monday afternoon. Evenings are cold and windy, afternoons are boiling hot. This is the worst summer we've had in years, as far as heat goes....oh and the mud and rain!! We've been getting clobbered with thunderstorms as well.  But after not having a proper shower in four days,  I guess the rain isn't so bad. ( Can you say ICK?!?)

 

Being employees, we get certain privileges - like arriving earlier then the public,  meaning only porta-pottys  are available. (which we're down-wind from btw)  Aaahhh how refreshing it is to wake Friday morning to the smell of job-johnnies.The bathrooms are opened  Friday afternoon when the public is allowed in.

 

We also get to be infield where Mr Parts can be up close and personal with his favorite driver (Rusty Wallace)

Being an employee also meant we had first crack at being allowed into "turn one". It's a popular in-demand spot, because all the crashes happen there. Of course this meant being up all night Saturday and then going to work at 6am Sunday!

 

The gates opened at 2am Sunday morning to the employees and there was a MAD dash to get through.  It was kinda comical watching people fight for a place in line, then pour through the gate driving all over like maniacs, just to get to the best spots..lol - and to think people live for this stuff every year ?!?  Ahhh... yes, it was worth it,  being right next to the track with the roar of the engines in your ears as the cars zoomed by! 

 

Paying customers could come into turn one(1.) to watch the race, but only for the day. They weren't allowed in until 7am, plus they could only stay infield.
 
As employees,of course we got in first, but we can also spend the night there and leave Monday afternoon...plus we could go back and forth to the grandstand area and the garage areas. (We didn't have to stay infield.) 
 
neener neener to everyone else....lol

 

We worked taking tickets from 6am until 4:30 pm. It was rough. Feet and back  sore and of course, sunburned, as it was extremely hot. The work is grueling,  but it was well worth the experience.  Food and drink was supplied.  Nothing like partying and seeing NASCAR for free for 4 days!!!!

 

Watching the race from atop one of the campers. it's hard to get a shot of the cars as they come speeding around the turn at 170+mph!  This was the best shot we could get... and of course...Rusty is among them.

You know you're a Redneck when you take the generator that runs the air conditioner in your camper and use it to make your morning coffee.

Unfortunately the picture didn't come out - but there was a camper  near us with a sign that said "Just married at Pocono raceway 2005"  It was rather interesting seeing someone get married at the races. (not my idea of romance however!)

We had a great time. ..and the partying for 4 nights was a blast!  It was so cool being that close to all these drivers, hanging around them the first 2 days before the race, ...and the ROAR of the cars, so cool to see them zoom past us on the track!  I didn't think I was a NASCAR fan, but let me tell you, I caught the fever!!!