First week in Charlotte NC

We are here in Charlotte for our NASCAR Members club convention and the All Star Race.

On Wednesday our club went out to Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp and stuffed "goodie bags" for the campers coming in June. This camp is a free camp for kids of particular disease, such as sickle cell anemia, cancer, etc. This is the 3rd year we have worked at the camp. The camp was built to honor Adam Petty, Richard Petty's grandson who was killed during a NASCAR practice. We were priveleged to meet Adam's brother, Austin (Kyle Petty's other son) at the camp. We had the picture taken with him. Wednesday evening we went to the Pit Crew Challenge, a timed event putting various pit crews against each other. The winning crew gets to choose their pit at the Allstar race. On Thursday we went to NASCAR Research and Development. This is one of the perks of the club because they don't do public tours. They have finished the seat requrements and next year all driver's seats must meet certain safety requirements. They are now doing experiments on the crushability of the roof of the car as well as side panels. They are trying to develop better ways of protecting drivers without greatly affecting th weight of the car.

Friday we met at the new Hall of Fame. It is a wonderful place with lots of cool memorabilia, as well as lots of exhibits explaining the hows and whys of the car and racing. Our picture is on what is called to "Glory road". It started our flat, with a car from the original Daytonna beach racing in the 50s and ended with one of Jimmie Johnson's cars on 33 degrees banking. Our picture is a little past midway on the road where the banking of probably 25% or so. Talledega track has 33 degrees banking on its curves.

It took a few hrs. to go through the 3 floors of stuff.

Saturday was and Allstar race. What a race - only 13 cars finished as there was a fairly large wreck towards the end of the race. Kurt Busch won the race.

Sunday after track church, we went to a Christian celebration put on the the Gibbs family called "Taylor's finish Line Festival". Taylor is Joe Gibbs grandson who had leukemia, was treated and now is cancer free. This festival was to celebrate this and raise funds for cancer treatment for kids who cannot afford the treatment that Taylor was able to receive. There were lots of NASCAR driver's running around the playing with the carnival stuff with kids. There was also a Christian concert by Toby Mac in the evening. We saw Michael Waltrip playing minature golf with kids. Joey Lagona and Bobby Labonte each played Wii racing with kids (go figure). Juan Pablo Montoya also played minature golf. The picture of me with Michael is especially for Sharon!