"Live" from Joliet 2013

[MikeFicacci]

We were #52 in line. This morning it absolutely poured and NHRA made the decision (right or wrong) to park everyone on pavement with the All Stars being in the track and every one else being at the oval track. In an attempt to remove all the All Stars, we did a lap around the oval track and the All Stars peeled off towards the drag strip. Wallace was at the beginning of the line handing out the tech cars all morning and then moved to the main intersection and is still sitting there right now. We're parked across the street by the oval track 1.9 miles from the burnout box according to my pit vehicle. Tech is being done at the trailers, in the dragstrip, and at the oval. All in all, there may have been people trying to cut the line and a few are still trying to get into the dragstrip as the grass is drying but we're all set for tomorrow. NHRA is allowing competitors to tow their vehicles across the street and into the drag strip if they would like.

[Monte Howard]

I was there a couple years ago when that same thing happened. They parked us at the NASCAR track. It pretty much sucked. We made the best of it, but it wasn't like being at a national event. Did a lot of coasting to save fuel and to keep motor cool.

[Beth Denysenko]

Sooooooo glad we didn't go this year. So very glad. Good luck to everyone who is there, though. Hopefully no more severe weather for you.

[BLAZER]

Originally Posted by Beth Denysenko

Sooooooo glad we didn't go this year. So very glad. Good luck to everyone who is there, though. Hopefully no more severe weather for you.

Rub it in-

[Beth Denysenko]

Originally Posted by BLAZER

Rub it in-

We lived through the last time we were pitted in the oval lot. Not fun at all, so far away we could barely get the track radio station in, little to no fan interaction which is always interesting, expensive on fuel and very hard on the equipment. We sincerely feel bad for everyone who has to experience it. Glad NHRA is letting people tow, and withdraw without penalty. At least there's that.

But that being said, remember that saying: a bad day racing beats a good day at work. Deep down inside, we really do wish we could be there to complain about it, but it's not meant to be for us right now. Some advice: be grateful for any and all opportunities you have, because with a blink of an eye, they can all change, or worse, be gone. Sincerely, good luck to you!

[Larry Hill]

Well after finally getting parked way far away and almost moving then going back where we were originally and then moving again, we are finally parked. Some people moved from the gravel area right down before you go across Schweitzer Rd to go into the track and the Cottens and Teutons got us a space in there across from them. We then sat down and had some drinks, then went to Mr. B's for dinner and have just got back and finished setting up our pit spot!

Here are a couple of shots from today:


This is where we were originally pitted. If you look way back to the right, you can see the bleachers for the drag strip.


This morning awaiting word on what we were to do today.


Mr. Helms and Co. solving all our problems today!

[Larry Hill]

Sorry, I cut off Larry's head! and Mike Crutchfield figuring out the rest of the world's problems.


More of Sportsmen pits.




This is at the back of the trailer where we were originally. Somebody else is in there now.