Daddy Goes Racing

Last year, for his birthday, we gave Daddy a chance to drive a real race car on the track (Irwindale Raceway).  Since he hadn't scheduled it yet, I decided to schedule his "day at the races" for Saturday, February 9th.  When we arrived, the kids found the comfy NASCAR couch...

and while Daddy had his 50 minute class, the kids watched Peter Pan.

Everett isn't the vid kid that Emily is though.  She would always sit if there was something to watch on screen but Everett lasted about 5 minutes before he was up and perusing the pastry tray.  After 3 unglazed donut holes, he took it upon himself to get a mini-muffin.

And when I wasn't watching, he went back for the second...

and third.

We explored the shopping area in the same lobby as well and I had to get some pictures of Everett in this "checkered flag" hat.

Eventually, Daddy came out of his class and the kids were released to run around...

by the race track.

Since Daddy was in group 3, we sat in the stands and watched some other drivers for a bit.  It was loud...

so we were thankful when a stranger gave us some earplugs.

After the first 4 racers finished their 20 laps, Daddy was called to the dressing area and he suited up while the second group of racers had their turn.

We had to run back to the stands - which took some doing - so when we got up there, we could only see the 4 cars, and didn't see Daddy get in his.

But, thankfully, they announce the cars and their drivers so we knew when Daddy, in the 17 car, led the racers out onto the track and took a couple warm up laps...

before getting the green flag.

The kids and I made our way up the stands...

(which took some doing, I carried Everett the whole time and called Emily to stand on the bench next to me for this pic)

and ended up at the very top...

when the checkered flag came out.

(Unfortunately the flag man was putting it down when Daddy drove by.  Imagine the checkered flag waving in this picture.)

(Paul climbing out of car on the left.)

(Standing behind cars waving back to me.)

With Daddy's race safely complete, we walked back under the stands to find our best guy.

Everett enjoyed the stands a little too much though and I ended up picking him up again, along with everything else.  It was quite a trek back to find Daddy.

Tell me again why YOU are exhausted, Everett??

Daddy had a good time but said, "that car can do A LOT more than I felt comfortable trying."  (They were 18 second stock cars, so as the instructor said, "these are some BAD ASS race cars!"  A professional driver could drive one lap in just 18 seconds.)  And,  I am glad.  The "experienced" drivers were really scary to watch!!  After his race, we were on our way to Daddy's birthday snow surprise...