Thanks to a combinatin of leaving late, a stupid decision by the DOT to direct Brewer traffic away from downtown and past the track, and an accident on the freeway a bit before the exit for the track, I got there a bit late for the start of qualifying (missed about the first 15 drivers). Did show up in time to see Mini-Sauter break the track record though (and I used my pit/paddock pass to be down there instead of in the bleachers). Got some shots of him, Menard, Raines, Barrett, Awesome Bill, Kenny Wallace, and others, and of the cars, both as they left the track after qualifying (back of the pits) and where they ended up in impound (front of the pits).
The crowd booed lustily when Gov. "Diamond" Jim Doyle (who I call Craps; both names are for the unconstitutional infinite Indian gaming contracts the DemonRAT negotiated shortly after taking office) was introduced, and again when he gave the command. The biggest cheers went for the Wisconsin contingent, Truex and Kenny. Not realizing that the couple of "hot pit" signs were in error, I retreated to the paddock fence for the start of the race, and stuck behind the 27 pit (gave me the best vantage point at the time). After the first caution, and seeing my semi-bad attempts to capture David Green's stop on memory card, one of the security guys pointed out that "cold" passes were still accepted in the pits (thanks, NASCAR). I migrated down to Edwards' pit (I couldn't go all the way down to Sauter's front-row pit because that's where any cars coming back out of the Busch garage would come out of, and they had satellite), and caught the first two stops for Edwards on xD. One of the young Roush bucks kept us hangers-on informed on why Edwards kept on coming back in after the second stop (broken shock, which they replaced in 2 stops, attaching the bottom first, then the top). I did some meandering up and down pit road, found Truex's stall up at the top of pit road (the other reason I never did get a Truex pic; sorry).
Started feeling some drops about lap 180, then the clouds burst open about the time they brought the cars down pit road on lap 200. That rain was brief, but intense. I started wandering pit road again, and stopped by the 35 pit because they had switched to The Weather Channel. I asked if they could get the local stations (it was still news-time, and TWC was in Storm Stories), but they said they could only get satellite. I started wandering back, and some of the drivers were stering to wander to their pit boxes to review data and shoot the breeze while the track dryers went to work. I got Bill Elliot talking to Tony Raines, and then came the highlight of the evening.
The Stacker2 crew turned on the speakders on their war wagon, and were running NASCAR Drivers 360. There were Kenny and Michel Jourdain (yep, got a pic). Michel left after a short bit, but Kenny, some of his crew, and a small but growing knot of people stuck around, not only to watch the show, but to listen to Kenny's critique. I'm sure he knew we were there, but he didn't care; he just went on saying to the crew, "Watch this" and laughing. One part that cracked him up was when Harvick and company got their ATVs stuck in the mud, but the biggest laugh from EVERYONE was when he got to the diaper line. When FX went to commerical, he started signing autographs (got the back of my pit pass signed) and posing for pics.
They ALMOST got the track dried when the teams started packing up. NASCAR almost timed their word to the teams right, but most of them were still in the process of breaking down when the next frog-strangler hit. FX and the track announcer got the word out about the same time, but by that time, it was pouring again.
It was a good race until the rain started. I finally gave up about 10:30, I think, and went to bed.
That track sounds like the days of old when you could get into the pits easier than now. At the big tracks you either pay through the nose or in the case of garage passes have to know someone to get you that "hot" pass.
Carl Edwards stops to replace the shock were amazing, the crew were in perfect sync. I was wondering why he didn't get out of the car when they first stopped them for rain and get going back to Sonoma since he had a 4 hour flight ahead of him. I can only guess that maybe the relief driver had left already. He was funny explaining how during the day he and friends went to get his haircut then they decided to go swimming at a public pool. Must have been a thrill for those there that day, he even did a backflip off the diving board. Jack Rousch is probably pulling his hair out.
I'm really looking forward to your pics of the drivers. It had to be great fun to listen to Kenny holding court. His laugh is so infectious. They even did a story on him before the race regarding his laugh. Rusty hates it, and other drivers make fun of him but at the same time they all love him. Amazing how he and Rusty are so different. I didn't watch 360 so I don't know what the diaper line is, but I can imagine.
I will have to go look for the final finish report. I know Sauter was first, Truex second. The earlier penalty on Sauter was unfair since it appeared the 33 car bobbled or came down to go into the pits and Sauter hit him. How did it look from your vantage point? Although, since he was one of only two cars on the lead lap it didn't hurt him that much except put him in traffic.
Sounds like you had a fabulous time and almost had a rain free weekend!! It's so much fun getting first hand reports from the track. Thanks!