So, lots of pictures and stories at the Speedway today. Running out of time tonight to post, because I need to shut down the generator. And we’ll celebrate a birthday of a MIS Staffer and her friend Dick. More on that later. Sorry, we’ve had a busy day and just ran out of time. The race today was great fun. Check back over the weekend. All is good!
Okay, just forgive me, but it’s back to Nascar this weekend for the entire editorial staff of the Opelika Daily News (aka ODN) The ODN GMC Sierra will top off with Sunoco fuel and travel the 800 miles thru Alabama, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan to set up shop in our version of the TV Hollywood Hotel. So, reporting from our Jayco Feather Lite Sport, we’ll have pictures, cooking, camping and racing. We’ll cover two races from the Infield Camping at Turn Two, then to the Stands for the HelluvaGood 400. First stop on the trek is Cave City, KY. See you then…
Starting a season with a brand new car isn’t always a simple task. This is the beginning of a great story on the APR Number 01 Audi that was burning up the track at Barber for the first part of the Birmigham race. Read the story from “Fortitude”, and catch the great pictures. Special note, the race, and the 01 car are on the Speed Channel this weekend at 2PM Central time. DVR that one for sure! Here’s the link to the entire story. (Photo Credit Fortitude)
Well, I’ve been hooked into more racing. It’s been a fun weekend at Barber and a chance to see both Grand Am and Indy Car racing. It was a very big crowd on hand for the excitement on Sunday. A couple sitting behind me from LA saw the number 5 on the headset I was wearing and proclaimed they were Mark Martin fans too. After all this experience sinks in, I’ll talk a bit more about the racing and understanding the differences between it and Nascar. And as I watched some newbee’s at the track, I thought a good “Your First Race 101″ might be worth creating. I’ll start working on that soon.
And before anyone at work ask me on Monday, “Yes I had sunscreen and No, I didn’t take it to the track!” Don’t touch me!
First I have to say thanks to the folks at APR for the tickets to the Saturday race and that parking pass, which to many is as valuable as the ticket to the race to some. The APR team, with four cars in the afternoon race, had the best meet and great area at the track. Plenty to eat and drink (no alcohol) for friends and family before the race. Along with learning more about the race, the team and the car, several got a chance to strap themselves into the car. I should point out, I didn’t crawl thru the window for fear that I may become trapped and they would have to cut me out, which would not be good for the car. In the picture (notice I alwasy find the one witha pretty girl) it’s Mary Henderson getting the cockpit briefing from Jeff with APR. There are more pictures in the picture stream, or go to flickr.com and do a search for Opelika Daily News and find the Grand Prix of Alabama folder.
It was qualifying day at Barber Motorsports Park for the first ever Indy Grand Prix of Alabama weekend.. The Grand Am Rolex and Continental Tire Series cars took the track. Also for fans, later in the day, it was the Indy Cars out for several hours of track practice time. What’s not new, the return of the Grand AM cars to the track and their series. They are on the 2.38 mile track for their races at 12:30 til 3:15PM for the Rolex series and then at 3:30PM the guys from APR in Opleika will field their four cars for their race that last til about 6:30PM. Several neighbors are up for that series and will be hanging at the track most of the day.
Graham Rahal, a newbee with the Dollar General car said today the track was one of the pretties, whatever that means (his words), on the Indy Series. He was pleased with fan support and that all the drivers seemed pretty happy to be there. I’ll have some more and pictures on Saturday later in the day. (Source for Rahal Comments: Caught it on the CBS 42 News!) Want more pictures, Click Here – Updated Daily During Event!
It’s off to Barber Motor Sports this weekend for coverage of Alabama’s first ever Grand Prix. Lots of pictures and some things from the pits on Saturday! The best coverage is going to be here.
