Once in a Lifetime...Part Three.

Finally! Race day!!

Day Three: Greatest pre race...ever.

As arrived Sunday morning, I went straight to the Neon Garage to find out how the #10 GoDaddy car was. I found out the night before, Pole-Sitter, Jeff Gordon, had wrecked his car with Danica's during that final practice I forgot about. On the long walk there, I got a ton of evil looks from people. People who were assuming Danica wrecked Jeff. And considering this was probably the last LVMS race for Jeff since he's on his "retirement tour", that didn't help the situation at all either. Because of the wreck, Gordon needed to go to a backup car and start from the rear where Danica's car just had cosmetic damage.

When I arrived at the #19 garage stall, I saw the #10 GoDaddy Chevy team adding new body panels and body wrapping for the race:

Later, I met up with Nicholle and Lori and found out Danica tweeted about the gift bag Nicholle made for Danica's dog, Dallas:

The bag I happen to take a photo of Danica holding Friday morning. My first photo of the weekend! Nicholle was giddy with happiness. Nicholle and Lori also brought two friends to race day, Kim and Sylvia. The plan was to sneak Kim into the garage area so she can experience what it's like before she moves to SoCal. Success! It was cool being the "tour guide" and watching them enjoy taking photos with the #10 GoDaddy car as it was finished with the repairs.

While we were doing the whole tourist thing, I noticed a woman wearing a team shirt from Danica's first major race team, Rahal Letterman, when Danica first raced Indycar in 2005. She was accompanied by a gentleman who seemed very familiar, but I couldn't figure out who he was. Anywho, as she was taking photos of the #10 GoDaddy Chevy, I told her I liked her shirt and that I had a replica signed by Danica. I showed both her and that gentleman a photo of my signed shirt. I was confused when he said, "Yup, that's her signature." I was like, "Umm, yeah, I know. I'm like DanicaFanboy...". He lowers his sunglasses to reveal his eyes and whispers to me, "I'm her father." I was blown away! All I could say to him was, "Yes. Yes you are." with a smile. I handed Lori my phone and asked her, "Could you take a photo of me with this gentleman?" She was like, "Umm, sure." Not yet knowing why.

Geronimo. Geronimo. Geronimo! Danica's father, T.J. Patrick!

It was ironic since the last time I had Lori take a photo with my phone. It was for the first "DanicAl" photo, and it came out blurry. This time, it all was perfect. To meet the man who created "the phenomenon"...literally. It was his love for racing, and putting both his daughters in go-carts while they were young, that started it all. I was fortunate to be the only "tourist" there who knew who he was since there were a lot of other tourists and media there at that garage.

Lori asked me, who he was and I whispered to her, "He is Danica's father." We whispered it quietly to the rest of our little group and they, too, took photos with him. The curiosity started to spread and after Lori, Nicholle, Kim, and Sylvia were finished with their photos with him, he quietly started to leave. On his exit, Mr. Patrick and I nodded to each other and I thanked him.

We, then, headed back to the Neon Garage where I met and got a photo with Fox Sports 1 personality, Danielle Trotta (photo coming soon!). Damn...she is friggin' beautiful! From the Neon Garage, we headed to Pit Lane where we watched the Budweiser clydesdales trot passed as we stood in front of Tony Stewart's #14 Mobil 1 team pit stall. Then on our way to the start / finish line on the track for Driver Intros.

After Driver Intros, our little Danica fan group split up and headed to our seats for the race. I headed up to the Clubhouse Suite where I got situated and ready to watch the race. Good timing, too...they were serving lunch.

Once in a Lifetime...Part Two

Once in a Lifetime...Part One

Once in a Lifetime...Part Two

Waaay too much fun for one person.

Day Two: Lone Wolf Chillaxin'...or not.

Saturday started just as EPIC as Friday. Unfortunately, Nicholle and Lori decided to take this day off since Danica wouldn't be at the track a whole lot. So, as usual, I was "Lone Wolf" looking to make the most of it. Once the gates opened, I headed straight to the garage area since I knew this would be the only time today Danica and the Sprint Cup drivers would be on the track...or as I thought. What was interesting was that there wasn't a whole lot of "tourists" in the garage area like the day before. It was actually barren of fans and media. So there I was, alone by Danica's garage and low and behold...she arrives alone. No fans. No media. Nobody...of which I can never believe ever happens at a racetrack. Anyway, the opportunity was too good to pass up and thus:

I say again, Geronimo!

It was so early in the day, I didn't know what to do. I had accomplished my goal, technically, twice and I thought this was a good chance to take advantage of just walking around. During the trip, I met and shook hands again with Carl Edwards, David Ragan, and David Gilliland. But the biggest treat was meeting "The Cat in the Hat", Jack Roush. After that, I just took video footage of the #10 GoDaddy Chevy doing it's to-and-from practice laps.

 

It was time to head to the Clubhouse Suite, since I haven't been there yet and it would be nice to know where I would sit for Sunday's race. Once I found the Clubhouse, I hit the bar and helped myself to breakfast. I later learned the Clubhouse hosts a NASCAR personality each day of the weekend. I missed Friday due to "The Game / Stalk" of Danica. Ironic, since I found out it was her boyfriend, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.. Might have been a good thing I missed that (hehehe). But I was in time for the Saturday's personality: Miss Sprint Cup, Madison.

After getting "ripped" for being the only Danica fan in the Clubhouse, it was fun to banter back-and-forth with Madison. Honestly...I think she wanted some of the Fanboy. Ha!

I watched the beginning of the Xfinity race, consumed a lot of apricot danish pastries and alcoholic beverages, then left early thinking I might catch Danica and Tony Stewart's appearance at MGM Grand later in that afternoon. Apparently, there was a Final Practice Session for the Sprint Cup drivers that I totally forgot about. And I missed out on what would give me a lot of hassle Sunday morning.

Once in a Lifetime...Part One

Once in a Lifetime...Part Three

Once in a Lifetime...Part One

NASCAR weekend at LVMS was a smashing success!

Day One: Purpose.

The "Stalk" was finally on, NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The plan was to meet up with my good friends, Nicholle and Lori, at the Neon Garage first thing Friday morning and discuss "The Game's" strategy. Once I entered the Neon Garage, I went straight to the garage window #19 where the #10 GoDaddy Chevy team would be for the weekend to take a quick look before heading to the restricted garage area on the other side. Right then and there through the window, I see Nicholle hugging Danica. I take out my phone to try and catch the moment, but caught the aftermath instead:

It was the first photo of a ton of photos and video I took over the weekend. The relevance of this photo will come later. I hurried to the restricted garage area to meet up with Nicholle and Lori, and I see Nicholle and Lori just "beaming" with joy. They tell me the story of how Nicholle made a gift bag for Danica's dog, Dallas, and that Danica also signed a banner for their fan club. At the end of the moment, Danica hugged Nicholle in gratitude. The hug I witnessed through the window. NASCAR media also had a video and photo crew there at the moment, and told Lori and Nicholle they will be in NASCAR Monthly magazine next month. And "the hug" was featured on national TV where members of Nicholle and Lori's fan club for Danica viewed on Fox Sports 1! Nicholle's Twitter account was blowing up.

After we somewhat "absorbed" that moment, we laid out the main goals of what we, as individuals, wanted to accomplish during this weekend. Nicholle's was the gift bag and the signing of the banner. Mine, of course, was the "DanicAl" photo. And Lori's goal, which was much more meaningful, was to have Danica sign a "Get Well" card for a very young member of their Danica fan club named Zoey.

Zoey is 10 year old girl from Canada suffering from cancer, and is about to go through radioactive treatments this month. As a token of well wishing, Lori thought since we were so good at "The Game", we should be able to accomplish Danica signing the card. 

After standing in the garage area throughout the first Practice Session, we knew Danica had to go to the Neon Garage for a live interview with Tony Stewart. During the wait, we met with the #10 GoDaddy Chevy team Crew Chief, Daniel Knost:

Nicholle, Lori and Fanboy with Crew Chief, Daniel Knost!

After the practice session, we caught Danica at the team hauler, and I got my "DanicAl" photo. With all the media and "hounds" surrounding her at the moment, it was a difficult photo to take even though she recognized me by greeting me with a big smile. She had no problem with my arm around her as she answered media questions and signed some autographs. I felt bad for Lori since she was fumbling with my phone and took a few photos of Danica's and my shoes. Eventually she got straightened out and took a shot. It came out kinda blurry...but it still accomplished the goal:

Geronimo!

Because of the "cluster-fudge" of the moment, Danica scurried into the trailer where she hid for about just over 2 hours. We didn't get the chance for her to sign Zoey's card. Determined and inspired, we stood there at that hauler door during those 2+ hours. We had a purpose. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that bad of a wait. We met and shook hands with many a driver from Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, and Brad Keselowski to Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin, of which, we joked around with considering what had happened at Daytona between Hamlin and Danica.

We finally caught up with Danica heading to the Neon Garage, and Lori gave the card to Nicholle to get signed. I chased Nicholle and Danica taking this video:

I really enjoyed Nicholle's "pass on the outside" to get into position to explain what the card was for. Danica asked if she should write a message for Zoey, and Nicole replied to her, "Only if you feel you want to...". She did:

Get well, Zoey!

It was an incredible start to a once-in-a-lifetime weekend. And even though the "DanicAl" photo wasn't the greatest shot taken (and it wasn't Lori's fault at all, but mine using a phone as a camera...duh!), I believe that day had more meaning and purpose than just me getting my photo with Danica and "The Stalk". It was a chance for me to legitimize my understanding of "The Game", and use this understanding to help others feel what I feel when I get to meet my heroes. It is something very few people get the opportunity to do, and I truly know now I'm very fortunate that I can make those opportunities happen.

Once in a Lifetime...Part Two
Once in a Lifetime...Part Three

And thus, the game is afoot!

For the first time ever, I've been to the classic Riviera Hotel and Casino. I took this video right at the front of the hotel. I thought, "Where won't there be too much tourist traffic that would impede my taking in the annual NASCAR Hauler Parade?" There you go.

The Hauler Parade marks the start of the NASCAR weekend here in Sin City. Yes, I think it's kinda stupid, and redundant, since if you are planning on going to the race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, you can see the haulers up close and personal there. Anywho, it was a way for me to psychologically mark: "Game on...".

For the past 10 years, I've been following this young lady's career and it was nearly 10 years ago, Danica made her mark in American auto racing. At the time, it was the Indycar series, and she showed the World she deserved to be at the highest forms of auto racing within the U.S.A.. From Indycar, to LeMans prototypes and now to NASCAR, it's interesting to wonder what will be next for her racing career.

At the same time, I look back at the meetings I've had with her personally and how fun "the game" has been over the years to get that elusive "DanicAl" photo. Of course, again, it is a goal of this weekend. But on my drive home, I was thinking about how I have enough "DanicAl" photos, and that it's also nice she even recognizes me. If anything, I've come to the point of understanding what I truly want to happen this weekend. I want to witness, first hand, Danica winning her first NASCAR race. It was here 4 years ago she had her best ever finish in a stock car (4th), and best finish for a female driver in NASCAR history. I want to see Danica win! No...I NEED to witness it.

Danica Finishes 16th at Atlanta. Jimmy Johnson Wins 1st of the Season.

Danica started 18th and as the race progressed, early on she had problems with the tachometer and electrical. She even had a "small" fire behind the instrument panel of which she tried to put out while racing under green. As she said over the radio after the incident, "I had no idea what I did or didn't do those last 2 laps."

In the last quarter of the race, Danica went down a lap, as did most of the field. Only 12 cars were on the lead lap. She did post some really fast lap times, but it took a little while to get there. On short runs, as it was for the end of the race, she just didn't have enough time to get the car going as fast as it was earlier. Still, she did run a great race and the #10 GoDaddy Chevy team did a great job making good adjustments along the way.

On to Las Vegas, where "The Stalk" is on! Will "FanBoy" get his 4th DanicAl photo and 7th face-to-face meeting?