Everyone remembers their first Nascar race; mine was particularly eventful! The weekend was an adventure with Joel so that explains ALOT. That Wednesday before the race we said, "why not, what the heck, let's do it, we're going to Talladega!".
We were living in Beaver Dam, Kentucky and I had to meet Ellis in Birmingham with the kids that weekend. They were going to his house for spring break. Of course all the hotels were booked for the weekend so reservations were out of the equation. We would have to wing it. So off we go Saturday noon in my "85 Oldsmobile better known as Foghorn Leghorn.
First things first, we need tunes, and Foghorn was lacking in that department. So we make a pitstop at Circuit City and picked up a stereo and speakers. Foghorn is parked under a shade tree and Joel hurriedly gets to work with makeshift tools at installing our hi-fi stereo. Once enough of the installation is complete, we hit the highway while Joel completes the project. While I drive, he is under the dashboard installing the stereo and connecting the speakers. Walla! The trip is filled with Steve Earl, the Eagles and Miss Saigon as we hightail it down I-65.
We slip into Birmingham with one thing in mind- going to Burly Earl's for a McArthur sandwich. It's early on a Saturday night and the dive isn't crowded. Burly Earl is a sandwich joint by day and a bar by night. The kids are famished, the food is Delicious and we order generously. Joel and I enjoy a bone chillin' pitcher of draft and I get my favorite of all time sandwich. Next thing you know, we are serenaded by the one and only One Eyed Jack, a local troubadour. Very entertaining, all he was missing was the parrot. Apparently the kids had never experienced such a sight (think of that) and even though our meal was done, we weren't leaving. They were intoxicated with Jack's performance. Joel and I might have had another pitcher or two while we waited. Intermission, and a good time was had by all.
Next on the agenda and not so easy was to find a place to lay our weary heads. Joel knew just where to go... the places they don't take reservations, the not-so-desirable side of town. Downtown. Joel found us a room right away, well, let me rephrase that, he found a motel right away. He had to look at 4 or 5 rooms before he found one that was acceptable. It was nearing the midnight hour and Joel had an "OH SHIT" moment. The next days is Sunday! Alabama is dry on Sunday. Even though it meant leaving us alone in a less than desirable situation, he had to make a quick run out and get us a couple of 12 packs for raceday. For what is a NASCAR race without beer?
We made it through the night unscathed, and off to McDonalds we went to meet Ellis. Of course the minute the kids saw him, they started to tell of their adventure. I wonder to this day just how much he figured out.
Joel and I were free, white and 21 now. Let the raceday enthusiasm begin. Sixty miles is all that stands between us and our seats. Down the highway we go with 100,000 other racefans. Almost there, but we are creeping along in traffic. Then it begins, that churning inside that begins like contractions, them moves on in to full blown cramps. I had DRAFT beer last night, and draft beer and my intestines do not get along. At first, I panted, then I was yelling "pull over!". Foghorn Leghorn, under the direction of Joel, took the emergency lane at full throttle to the next exit, did not stop at the stop sign, sped down a piece of road, fished tailed the back tires onto a dirt road and through a gate narrowly missing each side by six inches. Foghorn came to a screeching halt and I jumped out just in the nick of time. Ten minutes later I reappeared, and we hustled out of there.
Through the gates, follow the cars, park, pack our ice chests, got the tickets in my purse. double check, and off to the gate we go. Whoo Hoo! Ticket in hand, ice chest checked, oh nooooooo.... we can't take glass bottles in the gate. In his haste, Joel forgot, cans only. The only solution was to start drinking. So drink we did, and fast. Then Joel got the brilliant idea to take empty Mountain Dew plastic bottles and rinse them out with beer, then fill them up with beer. Desperate times demand desperate measures. Drink more beer, say good bye to the rest....... it looks like it's gonna be a long hot afternoon. In we go just in time for the green flag to wave.
We were on the back stretch and here they came.....sounding like a pack of killer bees. The rumble in my chest, the wind in my hair, it was pure unadulterated excitement! I couldn't believe it, the race exceed my every expectaction. No superlatives begin to shine light on what happens during a race. The thunder sounds like a train, the crowd becomes your closest friends, the cars are brighter than they are on TV, and then, there is the beer. Yep, they were selling beer at the track, tallboys to be exact. I went to the concession stand and found out, came back with 4 beers and Joel hugged me around the waist! We were back in business for an afternoon at Talladega!
