For our anniversary Teri got me a trip to the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Texas Motor Speedway. To say it was a "Blast" is a major understatement. I got to run a Winston Cup Car at 150+ mph for (3) ten lap sessions. I'll explain in the pics below.
This whole thing was very family oriented as kids were allowed to be in the pits and even went for a two lap ride around the track in a van at about 70 mph. First two pics are Chase sitting in the #3 car which is his favorite driver Dale Earnhardt car. Third is Teri and Cole in the pits, fourth is me posing by the Petty car, fifth is some dude walking towards the track.
Chase and Cole checking out a car, Me buckling in the #99 as you can see I wore my own race car helmet there instead of using one of theirs. I sure stuck out like a sore thumb with a yellow and blue helmet with all the white ones., Me ready to go for the first ten in the #99 Pontiac my top lap speed was 127.9 mph, me getting a talking to about what I did right and wrong, the #36 M&M's car which was set up for big boys!
Second and third times I drove the #2 Ford with lap speed averages of 142.6 and a scorching 158.9 mph, Teri and Cole in the bleachers, me waiting for my third and final time, getting in the #2 for the last time.
While the program was going on for $100 anybody could ride along in the #3 or #24 and go for three laps, getting out of the #2, getting a congrats from the instructors, my buddy Joe after the ride along program.
I must admit it was worth every penny to do this! If you ever get the chance and have a need for speed it is the most enjoyable "legal" way to go 150+ mph! The instructors calculated that my straightaway speeds were in the 175 mph range which is close to Cup speeds. My lap times would have qualified me for 37th at the last Busch race held there!
Back to Trips
