The Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog

We hardly ever splurge and eat at the tracks, but we had to try The Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog for only $2 each. It was without a doubt different…good, not so much. Now we know that many people will disagree with us because we hear many folks claim this is the best hot dog and I guess if you like a sweet tasting relish, chili sauce and the pinkest hot dog you could ever imagine you may like it but we did not.

On Our Way to Martinsville

Traveling the roads less traveled has always been our choice but this one was a rough road from hell, US 58 is not RV friendly at all, but we made it with only a few tears and plenty of silent moments.



Between Bristol & Galax, the signs warn if you are over 35’ do not attempt, since we are no longer towing, we are only 27’ so we thought there would be no problems. What should have only taken us about 3 hours to get to the track, instead took us over 6 hours. The weather had little to do with our delay, what really made the difference was the road we traveled. Much of the drive consisted of going only 15 to 30 mph around the curves, climbing and descending the mountain and just when we thought it was over, it began all over again.



The only warning signs between Hillsville and Martinsville states that all trucks over 65’ will need a special permit, not once was there any warning about the 9% grade down off the mountain. To add to the grade, it was rainy and foggy and at one time we felt that the fog was actually the clouds since we were at the top of the mountain with the wildest curves we have been through. After speaking to some fellow fans at the track they said we were lucky we couldn’t see because the edge didn’t have any guard rails and it was a long way down.



It was still a steady rain when we finally arrived at the track and we had not heard back from our last email about any available work at the track so we paid for our camping. We were cold, wet and our rig was leaking everywhere, so we did what we usually do, we began our pity party, whining, crying, asking ourselves if we would have to once again give up on our dream and wondering if dreams really do come true. Unlike all the other times when we got to this point, this time we decided we would not sink into the black abyss, instead we both woke up with a new attitude and we got busy.



The rain had slowed so we went out and began setting up our site, we knew with all the rain, we couldn’t fully set up but we did need to put our awning, chairs and a few other items out. We introduced ourselves to our neighbors, they were apologetic about leaving their generator running until wee hours of the morning, and we explained that we were immune to the sound since we do many of these tracks. They wanted to hear more of our story, so we all chatted for a while. They asked where we would be sitting for the events and we explained that we did not have our tickets yet and were still deciding which events we would be attending. A few moments later, they presented us both with tickets for all three of the events. They explained that wives had not been able to make it and they had the extra tickets and wanted us to be able to enjoy the events.



Again, we need to reiterate that NASCAR fans are the best damn fans in the world and also once you get yourself out of feeling sorry for yourself and just move forward, good things begin to happen.

We Are at Martinsville

This was again one of those times we followed our hearts with no real logical reason. At first, things were not going well...the drive here on the hellish road...the weather is cold and wet...spending our gas money to camp at the track...not getting a reply for work.

Will we be able to attend the events? Will the weather get better? How will this turn out?

Well...amazing things began to happen, once we got out of our pity party and just did it. Stay tuned for the entire story on how we were able to attend every event, see if the weather improves and we will also report all the contacts that are coming our way for all the other tracks on the Sprint Cup Series.

NASCAR fans are without a doubt the best damn fans in America!

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway

Back in the stands with the fans. Now don’t get us wrong, we loved hobnobbing with the Executives in the suites for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Bristol Motor Speedway but first and foremost we are fans. Fans that love to cheer loudly for their drivers, fans that love to smell the fumes, fans that love to hear the thunder and feel the roar of their drivers going by. So, it was really nice to experience the races from both worlds.

For the rest of this story, please go to our column at Examiner.

Also, we have uploaded all of our photos of our experience at Bristol Motor Speedway, be sure to check them out.

NASCAR Nationwide Series at Bristol Motor Speedway

Suite (Sweeeeet) Saturday began with so much excitement, today was our time to watch a race from the NASCAR Suite at Bristol Motor Speedway that turned out to be better than we ever imagined.

Read the entire article at our Examiner column.

Fan Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway

There was only practice and qualifying at the track today, qualifying being one of my favorite things to watch, especially at the Bristol Motor Speedway, laps are so fast they were done before we could snap a few photos.

We also did more shopping, we were actually looking for two items, an Italian Charm for Bristol and a sweater hoodie we seen at Daytona during Bike Weeks. We asked several other vendors and they thought there was an Italian Charm booth but was not sure where they were located, we were unable to find either of the items we were after.

We did meet up with Andrew Giangola where he presented us with NASCAR Suite passes for the Nationwide race. Are we dreaming or what? This has undoubtedly been the best time we have ever had.

While at the track, we were recognized several times and asked for our autographs because they seen us on Channel 11 News and felt we were famous. Others were interested if we had found work at the other tracks and sent us good wishes for a safe, prosperous and successful journey. This has truly been above all of our expectations and especially well above what we had been experiencing for the past 4 years while attempting this journey over and over again.

This time was different, this time we chose to not give up no matter what. This time, we chose to believe in our dream and instead of being met with block walls the doors began to open. They began to open the moment we met our first angel, Paula, the manager at Lakeview RV Park and then our second angel, Bill Christian, News Channel 11 News Anchor/Reporter who like Paula did what they do so naturally, they gave from their hearts. This journey for us has been the most breathtaking and exhilarating experience of our lives and we will forever be grateful to both of them for their very important roles they played in our dream.

Let the Fun Begin

Thursday, there were no races or practice of any kind going on at the Bristol Motor Speedway, but it was an entirely different story at Lakeview RV Park. They were having a “Bring your own bun” gathering, where they provided the hot dog with fixings and you just needed to bring your own buns. This gathering also included entertainment, a local band, known as the Mason Dixon Boys worked the crowd doing Karaoke, even with a slight learning curve with their new system in place, it just did not stop them from shining. These guys are entertaining, not only do they have good singing voices but also they have a flair about them that had them stand out from any other Karaoke entertainers we have seen. There were some good singers and it is certain that everyone left with some very good memories to share. This is most certainly true for us, we danced, we laughed, we talked, and I, Kimberly sang repeatedly.

Several times throughout the night, many folks approached us with, “Are you that couple we seen on TV“? We thought they were talking about the airing on Monday night, but they all agreed that it was a new segment that included the news about being profiled for a NASCAR book. Wow…word gets around quickly! Several suggested we print off a photo of us with our autographs, we thought they were kidding but they were serious, they felt that we were or would soon be celebrities. We will mull over that suggestion awhile before we decide to go there!

We were so excited that we could barely sleep…the weekend is here and we will be heading for the track for practice and qualifying sessions, as well as Food City Race Night and meeting up with Andrew Giangola for more interviewing and photos.

Our Bristol Motor Speedway Experience So Far...

Our experience here in Bristol will stand out in our memories for a very long time. The people here are exceptionally friendly, so open, so sharing and so very giving. Paula, the manager at Lakeview RV Park
suggested we do the tour at Bristol Motor Speedway, that ended up being the best idea ever. She even loaned us her vehicle to drive there, as I said, the folks here are the best but she stands out as one of the nicest people we have ever met in our lives.

Read the entire story at Examiner, including our once again celebrity status in Tennesse and how we scored some really great seats for both races this weekend.


So many really great things are happening for us, today we received a call from a NASCAR representative who is writing a book and wants to profile us and then helped us confirm more tracks. Just when we think things can't get any better...they do!

Make sure to check out our latest photos that we will be updating even more after this weekend.

Celebrities Again in Bristol!

There are times in life when things go even better than we could have ever imagined…that time for us is now. Being at the right place at the exact perfect moment is an everyday occurrence for us and fantastic things are happening for us.

Our NASCAR tour story will air tonight at 6pm on News Channel 11, CBS affiliate in Bristol, Tennessee. For those of you that are not in the area, follow this link to watch the video online.

To make things even more fabulous than ever, we now have tickets for both races AT BRISTOL…as spectators. Life is grand!

To Sue or Not to Sue…

What is going on in this world these days?

“We would never go to court for any reason, because that is a physical act of exclusion as big as we have ever seen it, and we have never seen anybody ultimately benefit from that.” These words came in an email today and we agree 100%.

Courts are being inundated with cases that are so ridiculous, family suing one another over money. We can relate since my sister continuously insists on doing the same, as well as my daughter who used the courts to justify their anger and resentment. That is not what the courts are there for, and furthermore, you just do not sue family or friends. It is just not an honorable thing to do.

There are and have been many instances in our lives that we had money issues with family or friends and to this day have yet to see it returned as promised. Instead of making a criminal case about it, we choose to let it go, knowing that it will all work out in the end.

Television shows, like Judge Judy are entertainment but is truly sending a very wrong message. Instead of suing family, you should be embracing them with kindness, patience and faith that the right thing will eventually be done. And, like gambling, never give more than you are willing to lose.

How on earth can we settle major differences between countries if we cannot even settle minor differences among our own families. It is time that we all get off our righteous attitudes and learn the simple act of kindness towards one another. To treat everyone with love and acceptance without always trying to change them into someone they are not and stop all this nonsense of suing one another for anything and everything that goes on in your life. Learn to let the little things go and go on to have the best damn life possible without all the drama!

Our Bucket List

On this last road trip, we checked off South Carolina

and North Carolina

for state line crossings. Adding those to all the others, we now are up to 34 out of the 50 states completed.

We have also checked off another race track,

we took a tour of Bristol Motor Speedway

and will be attending the race this weekend. As for our completion of the tracks, there are 22 to be done, we have completed 4 and we have 10 confirmed or planned for this season.

We both started our lists when we were kids and then we joined them together right after we were married. For the first few years of our marriage, we hardly crossed off any, but now that we are living this wonderful lifestyle we are crossing off things almost daily. What a life!

On The Road Again…

Even after losing an hour with daylight savings this morning, we got an early start leaving Daytona International Speedway. After boondocking for 11 days, our plan was to put a few miles on and get hooked up as soon as possible.

After a dump stop, then a Wal-Mart shop we stopped in St. Augustine, Florida at the St. John’s RV Park. Not the best park we have ever been to but the folks were very accommodating and they had full hook ups including cable for just over $16 with our Camp Club USA discount. Interstate 95 was so congested with speedway campers jockeying positions and racing as if they were back on the track made our decision to get off the road a perfect choice.

We had enough time to clean the rig and take some long, hot showers before watching the Kobalt 500 in Atlanta. Not only was it nice to watch the race but being back on the circuit, knowing that we will be at the next race is so exhilarating. NASCAR does have a week off but we have work in Bristol prior to race week so we are heading there now slowly, taking our time to play a little.

My First Motorcross Racing Experience

Over a week of more than 10 hour shifts working on a gate by ourselves, we were grateful that our last day was finally here. We began earlier than most of the other workers and fully expected to work a long day. About 6 hours into our shift, the other workers began coming in by the dozens and our supervisor surprised us and let us off.

We were so excited, we went to our rig, changed our clothes and had plenty of time to just be spectators. This was my first experience at a Motorcross race but Jerry had watched plenty of them back in his younger days and it was totally exciting for both of us.

It was a night race, so it did get a bit chilly, yes, even in Daytona Beach, Florida but we dressed warm. Our seats were fabulous, a bit high for my likings but once I took a few deep breaths and relaxed, the rest of the evening went wonderful. There were several different “Heats” of racing with two different classes, with the big guys at the end.

This was a perfect ending for our time here at Daytona International Speedway . Will we be returning? We really do love Daytona but weighing it all out, we end up losing money by working there and that is not how we can continue living our dream lifestyle. We would consider returning, only if there is a major change in how the workers are treated and from what we were told, that is exactly what is going to be happening in the next few months. We will speak with the new department heads and see if we get some better perks offered to us before we make a final decision.

Be sure to check out our photos at our Picasa Website
for all the excitement!