We felt like little kids!

The past weekend we attended the Gatorationals in Gainesville. What a hoot! We had a great time. We were guests of the US Army, sponsor of Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher, ProStock Bike riders Angelle Savoie and Antron Brown. The US Army's hospitality area was the best in the NHRA (you can certainly tell by the photos). The hospitality tent is actually in their pit area (much different than what I am used to in NASCAR).

We arrived early and had time to roam the pits and vendor areas. The teams were working on their dragsters and every so often would start them up, startling every person in the area who wasn't paying attention. Prior going to the races we had been told how loud it was, but never could I imagine how lethal the nitro fumes were! Now I can see why people bring gas masks to the event. Our eyes and nose burned so badly! We happen to be behind one of the pits at the time they started it up....ughh.

We slowly made our way back to the hospitality area and about that time the team was getting ready to start the engine. Everyone had to move to the front of the dragster while they were testing for safety reasons. Shortly thereafter the final eliminations began. Unfortunately we had to stand because we didn't have a ticket to enter the grandstand area...we had no clue there was a difference. No big deal - we stood just in front of the starting line where we could see the tree and the "jumbotron". That first pass was the absolute greatest!! The thrill! We felt like little kids getting all excited for the first time at the races.

Unfortunately we did not get the chance to meet Angelle but maybe I can get her to attend a NASCAR race as our guest with the help of my friend from the US Army.