I walked around the track shortly after I arrived on Friday, August 2, 2013, and saw this cool cell phone booth in the grandstands provided by U.S. Cellular, sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race that weekend. It has a domed, transparent, sliding door that muffles any outdoor sounds to provide a clearer and more private conversation. I don't know how well it it cancels out the cars on the track because I never went back to test it, but it was fun checking it out.
I had already eaten lunch, but still wanted to check out what kind of food Iowa Speedway had to offer. I always enjoy signature stadium and track food. Most of the vendors were still getting ready for the crowds, so I did not get to smell or see much of the served food. However, one man was kind enough to show me his freshly-prepared, fried onion. He told me he gets them at every race.
K&N Pro Series East
Friday, August 2, 2013
I had never attended a K&N race before, but I assumed it would be similar to ARCA races. For the most part, it was, but I was not prepared to see such young and talented drivers. Some of the drivers I met were only 15-years-old and did not even have a valid driver's license. Needless to day, I felt incredibly old, especially when I saw them all at once at the autograph session below the grandstands.
While I was wandering around the K&N garage, I got really excited when I spotted Daniel Suarez' "Visita Acapulco" car that had the giant word "Mexico" written across the rear. When I was a litle girl living in Mexico, my family would vacation in Acapulco. Seeing this car brought back fond memories of spending hours on the beach with my younger brothers and parents eating grilled fish at cheap, open-air, beachside restaurants.
I bumped into Rev Racing drivers Bryan Ortiz and Daniel Suarez in the garage. Ortiz is from Puerto Rico and Suarez is from my native country, Mexico. I was impressed by all the other Latinos who were part of their team and that everyone seemed to speak Spanish. I really felt at home talking to everyone at Rev Racing.
I later joined Suarez on pit row prior to the K&N Pro Series East race, in which he finished 3rd place. I'd like to think I provided a little bit of luck to a fellow Mexican.
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Kenny Wallace
Either I kept running into Kenny Wallace at the track, or I was stalking him. He is so much fun to be around. After doing a radio interview in the media room, he went to the Pizza Ranch concession stand to take food orders from unsuspecting fans and give out autographs.
I got to meet Wallace's wife, Kim, and one of his daughters, Brittany. They were very friendly and laid back. We talked about shopping at the Jordan Creek mall in Des Moines. They joined Kenny on pit row prior to the race.
After
stalking running into Wallace so many times at the track, I think we became best friends.
Wallace pits during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
Austin Dillon
Austin Dillon started out Saturday morning by giving out autographs and rides around the track in the pace car. I got to ride in a pace car once in Daytona and it was a thrilling, but scary experience. I am sometimes prone to car sickness so I did not hang around very long to watch Dillon give out rides to fans. I prefer to leave the driving to the professionals.
I saw Dillon again prior to the race during a press conference with fellow Richard Childress Racing teammate, Ryan Gifford. This was an exiting day for Gifford because it was his debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Gifford is a full-time driver in the K&N Pro Series East.
Even on his way to pit row prior to the start of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, Dillon took time to sign autograph for fans. I've noticed that he is especially good with children and gladly gives them autographs.
Brad Kaselowski
Brad Kaselowski joined other in the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers meeting. When I have the privilege of attending a driver's meeting, I act like I totally belong there and like I'm not star struck by a room full of drivers.
Kaselowski won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
Kaselowski whipped out his cell phone and took a photo of fans in victory lane.
Many fans waited for at least half an hour after the checkered flag in hopes of getting Kaselowski's signature. Despite the long day and an uncertain wait, everyone remained in high spirits.
