Back from 'Dega!

[lrogers]

Well gang,
After a really terriffic weekend, I made it home safe and sound. The racing and the company were great, even better than last year.

Have to say, the highlight of the trip was yesterday in the "Hospitality Village". We had a great breakfast, lot's of things to explore, several of last seasons cars to get up close to AND a visit by Jeff Gordan. Now, I'm not a big fan of the 24 car or it's driver, but he was a very personable fellow and took time to answer questions from the fans. He loved talking about his new daughter! Talk about a proud daddy!!!!! He also told us how he would win the race by laying back, staying out of trouble and making his move at the end. He did just that too! For the record, he also said he was going to win the championship this year. We'll see how that prediction turns out.

The only downside to the entire weekend occurred just 35 miles from home. A man and his wife, also coming home from the race, lost control of their pickup/camper and flipped. Total destruction and the interstate was shut down at least 45 minutes. Tonight on the news, they said the driver was air lifted to the hospital. Neither were wearing seatbelts and were thrown out of the truck. So sad.

Anyway, I had a blast, but I'm glad to be home.

[Ed62]

Glad you had a good time, Larry. That's what life's all about.

I'll never understand why people refuse to wear seat belts. 2 days ago, in our area, there was a 23 year old woman driving at a high rate of speed, with her baby strapped in a car seat. She was not wearing a seat belt when she hit another car. She was thrown out of the car, and got run over by her own car, killing her. The baby was OK. Sad situation.

Ed

[JSUPreston]

Larry, glad you enjoyed yourself. I did most of my growing up in Talladega, and my Scout Troop raised the flag at all the races for years, so I got to go quite a bit. The past couple of years, I've made it to the spring Busch (Nationwide) race with my son's Cub Scout Pack.

Next time you're up that way, you should check out a couple of the local dives. On AL 77 going south, once you pass the movie theater, there's a place called Finchers across the street from Jack's. Looks like a dump...great fried catfish. Also, there is a steak house (can't remember name) on Battle Street in an old Pizza Hut building. Great flavor, reasonable prices.

Glad you made it home safely. It's amazing the number of folks who get hurt because of little things like a seat belt.

[lrogers]

We found a local place not far from the camp ground (Logans Landing) that had great food. It was a catfish house, but the steaks were fantastic! Smaller place, good food, great service, it just doesn't get any better than that.

Sadly, I read in the paper this morning, the guy driving the truck was killed. A weekend ruined, lives destroyed, just because a seat belt wasn't used.

[leehljp]

When I retire and get back in the States, I want to attend a few race events. Reading your post is reviving the old instinct. Thanks for your post. I enjoyed it.