June 20, 2021
What a surprise, Jimmy calls and says Dad......you want to go to the race in Nashville tomorrow?
What I didn't know was we had full credentials including Garage Pass, Hospitality Pass, and the Super hard to get Grid Pass. We had full access to everything compliments of NAPA, Hendricks Motorsports, Nashville SuperSpeedway, and the fine folks at Bowling Green Napa Store.
NOTE: CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE and ON VIDEOS CLICK ON BOX IN LOWER RIGHT CORNER FOR FULL SCREEN , and TURN VOLUME UP FOR
BEST EFFECT.
Pictures and Stories of a great Father/Son Fathers Day at Nashville Superspeedway
We arrived early to pick up our credentials and headed to the garage area. Some pit stalls were just being set up and prepped.
Things are starting to happen on pit road as the teams load up their pit stall.
We could mingle, take pics, talk with crew members, etc.
t
Team owner Richard Childress talking with crew member during set ups. Everybody is busy.
Jimmy talking with gas man at the back of the hauler.
And look who I run into here...Ross Chastain from Alva, Florida..
I asked him if he ever had lunch at the Alva Diner....he said loudly, many, many times and grabbed my hand for a neighborly hand shake.
We lived only a couple miles from Alva for 13 years ...a very small town East of Ft. Myers.
Ross's family are watermelon farmers and we all call him the Watermelon Man. My Riverbend friends will appreciate the question.
He is a cool dude and an upcoming superstar in Nascar. Watch for him.
He placed second in today's race.
Stop for a Selfie and then back to work....
Us "Chase Elliot Honorary Crew Members" gotta stay busy ya know.
Time to rush back to the Hospitality Tent and meet up with Chase for a Q and A session.
Speaking of Hospitality....Hendricks Motorsports knows how to get'er done.
This double rig is Hospitality as well as our viewing area during the event. Food, Wine, Beer and the nicest folks you ever met.
Anything we asked for, we got.....
SIDE NOTE: Jimmy and I were two of only six people with the NAPA group (about 65 people) that were selected to sit in the box during the race. I been telling him all along.......when you're Number One....it pays.
Back to work....
Hanging out at Hendricks haulers..
Chase Elliot left and Kyle Larson on the right.
Two of Nascar's Hottest drivers right now.
The stands are starting to fill as we make our way around the grid.
Still a couple hours before race time and most people are somewhere in the shade waiting for 3:30.....
It's pretty hot today here in Music
City.
Drivers are starting to head to their cars for quick pictures with Sponsors and Lucky guys like Jimmy and I. They waste no time so you better be quick.
For my Hoosier buddies....Ryan Newman talking with his boss, Jack Roush..
One of my all-time favorites "Rocket Man" Ryan Newman.....not only is he a good driver
but he has a cool car collection too.
Tony Stewart clowning around with his crew. Smoke won the dirt race last night and flew into Tennessee for Cup race. These guys keep a tight schedule.
And the favorite to win today...(And He Did) is this guy. 28 year old Kyle Larson driving for Hendricks Motorsports. He was "taking names and kicking ass" all day. Dominated the field. Fourth straight win.
Brandon Schroeder.....Out Team Liaison ......you know the guy that gets you where you need to be to get the coldest beer and the best pictures. Super guy, Hendricks Motorsports should be proud to have him around.
OK...let's get this show on the Track.....The Flyover was fantastic, you shoulda been there.
Time to get to work....Jimmy and I got a lot of planning and strategizing to do.
Team is ready....where's the crew chief? Hurry up man..the pace lap is about over.
Check out those monitors...about 9 of 'em.
First pit stop complete....all good. That was easy.
Alright guys...let's get it right this time.. All lug nuts tight and two cans of gas. Oh, and put a spring rubber in the right rear.
Get those old tires checked, I want to see the numbers...
Crank the volume waaaay up for this one....