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If anyone
can only go to one race a year or wants to pick their first
track to visit, I recommend
Martinsville,
VA.
The trip there is long for us mid-westerners but it is the fan
friendliest track I have been to (Vegas 2002, Lowe’s2004) and
you can see the whole track from anywhere. Remember to bring
your scanners to listen to your favorite driver (we forgot ours
at the van) and be prepared to walk a couple miles to and from
your car if you come late (as we did).
LAP CARS
My driver
of 20 years as been Rusty Wallace who had 7 wins at this track.
It does not seem fair that now that I have a chance to go to
this race 2 times a year with race fans that he is retiring.
I want to go back but will not pick a new driver.
There was
a somber mood after the race because lap cars (41 and 31) caused
a wreck that took Rusty out with about 16 laps to go. He
finished 19th, but gained a spot in the championship
race, only more points behind. I appreciated all the passion
Rusty has to race and gives all he can at every race. I was not
disappointed in him just the way other drivers either laps down
or not in the CHASE can be so inconsiderate. Burton apologized
and he was not really his fault. The 41 of Casey Mears pinched
Rusty and caused him to slow briefly and Burton had no where to
go. Mears is the one I am disappointed with, not Rusty.
FAN
FRIENDLY DRIVER
I made up
my mind on the way down that this old, fat lady was going to let
it all hang out. I kept my word. I went to the track looking for
the blue deuce and found the cars all lined up on the front
stretch. Rusty was standing by his car and talking and signing
autographs with fans, I yelled out my “GO RUSTY” a few times and
he left the group and came and stood alone in front of me
(separated by 2 fences and a grassy patch) and smiled. He was
letting me take his picture. This was his last race at
Martinsville
in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge and he was willing to take time out
for one fan who wanted his picture. I had tears in my eyes and
hope the picture turns out.
The whole
Southern experience is amazing. People march to a much slower
beat on the drum, open their homes and hearts to you and restore
your faith in the human race. A Bobby Labonte fan, Mike T
(think it was Tabor) gave me ear plugs. I had also forgotten
them. He said “Rusty got robbed” as we left and was genuinely
sorry my driver did not get his win or top 5. Bobby placed 4TH
, and I congratulated him on his driver’s good run. Race fans
are cool people!!!
The
scenery in VA is beyond words to describe. Leaves were turning
and all shades of red, yellow and orange. The valleys go as far
as the eye can see. This area is unspoiled by human greed and
development like Minnesota farm land has been. Deer abound in
VA; sadly several lost their fight with traffic and lie along
the roadside.
Like any
trip, ours had its ups and downs. The trip down was uneventful
even though I did drive at night, from Indianapolis to the
Kentucky border in a van I had never driven before. But once we
got to Martinsville the “ruin your trip demons” went to work.
The gal I went with got a call that her son and daughter and
granddaughter (the last 2 were with us on the way down) were in
a car accident. Luckily no one was injured and we would go to
the race as planned on Sunday. Except we overslept on Sunday,
forgot the track scanners in the car and parked I swear, in the
next state. But we were at the track at Martinsville and we were
going to see Rusty race and hopefully win for us.
The demons
kept interfering. After the race we lost one of our party,
Ritchie, who was in the process of walking home (4 miles) from
the track. The van sliding door would not shut and lock
anymore, and I am still blaming the demons for the bump and spin
on Rusty!!!
On the way
home I drove twice and got us lost- twice- but the scenery was
gorgeous. I did not mind seeing it again and again. I craved
Waffle House waffles like only people in the South can make
them. We stopped in Indiana and got the WRONG waffle house- this
was not part of the chain, and had lousy waffles. The demons
again. For information, the good Waffle Houses are black and
yellow called Waffles and Steak, due to the name Waffle House
already in existence, in
Indiana.
This trip
was a tribute to a man I have adored and watched race for 20
years. Rusty has always been a positive influence to me, always
the mentor, friend, brother and any role I needed him to play
for 2 decades. My heart does not want to see him step out of
that 2 car. Too many memories, some good, some painful, but none
the less – memories. I spent way too much money, had way too
much fun, and cried way too many tears when we had to leave. All
in all, I would do it all again if Rusty was driving in
Martinsville next year. He is that important.
My friend
and her family and I plan on going to Busch races since Rusty
has indicated he will drive that series in 2006 in his #66 car.
(presently the #64 due to licensure conflict with the present
#66) I will then travel to places like Chicago or others on the
Busch Circuit. Once you are a Rusty Wallace fan you are a Rusty
Wallace fan for life. Just read that
Martinsville,
VA
will host a Busch race
July 22,
2006. I hope to be there. I do not need to pick another driver
in Nextel Cup series, I just need to pick a different series
like BUSCH. What ever Rusty does he does with all his soul and
all his being and any effort is good enough for me no matter
what the results. I only pray for his safety. |
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