Blog – Sparky Super Fan

Follow along as we travel the NASCAR Cup Series Circuit, stopping at local short tracks along the way, showing you the journey from the eyes of a racing Superfan!

Miles Traveled

40,020

Hours on the Road

671

Cup Series Races Attended

Local Short Tracks Visited

This week we travel from Talladega to Martinsville

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Sunday October 26, 2:00pm EST

Martinsville Speedway – Ridgeway, VA

Week 37: Talladega to Martinsville

Total Miles Traveled This Week:373

Total Hours on the Road this Week:7.5

Day 251: Monday, October 20

Start : Lincoln, AL

End : Gastonia, NC

Miles Traveled : 327

Total Driving Hours : 6

Day 252: Tuesday, October 21

Start : Gastonia, NC

End : Statesville, NC

Miles Traveled : 46

Total Driving Hours : 1.5

Week 36: Las Vegas to Talladega

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:1979

Total Hours on the Road this Week:31

Day 244: Monday, October 13

Start : Las Vegas, NV

End : Milan, NM

Miles Traveled : 592

Total Driving Hours : 10

Day 245: Tuesday, October 14

Start : Milan, NM

End : Ozark, AR

Miles Traveled : 855

Total Driving Hours : 13

Day 246: Wednesday, October 15

Start : Ozark, AR

End : Lincoln, AL

Day 247: Thursday, October 16

Day 248: Friday, October 17

Day 249: Saturday, October 18

Day 250: Sunday, October 19

Week 35: Charlotte to Las Vegas

Total Miles Traveled This Week:2352

Total Hours on the Road this Week:40

Day 237: Monday, October 6

Start : Concord, NC

End : Lincoln, AL

Miles Traveled : 357

Total Driving Hours : 7.5

Day 238: Tuesday, October 7

Start : Lincoln, AL

End : Oklahoma City, OK

Miles Traveled : 760

Total Driving Hours : 12

Day 239: Wednesday, October 8

Start : Oklahoma City, OK

End : Williams, AZ

Miles Traveled : 887

Total Driving Hours : 14

Day 240: Thursday, October 9

Start : Williams, AZ

End : Las Vegas, LV

Miles Traveled : 348

Total Driving Hours : 6.5

Day 241: Friday, October 10

Day 242: Saturday, October 11

Day 243: Sunday, October 12

Week 34: Kansas to Charlotte

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:1065

Total Hours on the Road this Week:20

Day 230: Monday, September 29

Start : Kansas City, KS

End : Mount Vernon, IL

Miles Traveled : 343

Total Driving Hours : 7

Day 231: Tuesday, September 30

Start : Mount Vernon, IL

End : Marietta, GA

Miles Traveled : 464

Total Driving Hours : 8

Day 232: Wednesday, October 1

Start : Marietta, GA

End : Concord, NC

Miles Traveled : 258

Total Driving Hours : 5

Day 233: Thursday, October 2

Day 234: Friday, October 3

Day 235: Saturday, October 4

Day 236: Sunday, October 5

Week 33: New Hampshire to Kansas City

Total Miles Traveled This Week:1449

Total Hours on the Road this Week:28

Day 223: Monday, September 22

Start : Loudon, NH

End : Mechanicville, NY

Miles Traveled : 163

Total Driving Hours : 4

Day 224: Tuesday, September 23

Day 225: Wednesday, September 25

Start : Mechanicville, NY

End : Spiceland, IN

Miles Traveled : 740

Total Driving Hours : 14

Day 226: Thursday, September 25

Start : Spiceland, IN

End : Kansas City, KS

Miles Traveled : 546

Total Driving Hours : 10

Day 227, Friday September 26

Day 228: Saturday September 27

Day 229: Sunday September 28

Week 32: Bristol to New Hampshire

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:939

Total Hours on the Road this Week:18.5

Day 215: Sunday, September 14

Start : Bristol, TN

End : Mount Sidney, VA

Miles Traveled : 239

Total Driving Hours : 4.5

Day 216: Monday, September 15

Start : Mount Sidney, VA

End : Clifton Park, NY

Miles Traveled : 511

Total Driving Hours : 9

Day 217: Tuesday, September16

Start : Clifton Park, NY

End : Ballston Spa, NY

Miles Traveled : 9

Total Driving Hours : .5

Day 218: Wednesday, September 17

Day 219: Thursday, September 18

Start : Ballston Spa, NY

End : Loudon, NY

Miles Traveled : 180

Total Driving Hours : 4.5

Day 220: Friday, September 19

Day 221: Saturday, September 20

#10 Kaulig Racing Driver Ty Dillon

#47 Hyak Motorsports driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

#16 Kaulig Racing driver AJ Allmendinger

Our buddies from Campers Inn RV. Met Larry in Daytona

French Candian friends from Montreal - camped right across from us

French Canadiian friends from norther Quebec

Day 222: Sunday, September 21

Week 31: St. Louis to Bristol

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:600

Total Hours on the Road this Week:11

Day 209: Monday, September 8

Start : Madison, IL

End : Crossville, TN

Miles Traveled : 418

Total Driving Hours : 7.5

Day 210: Tuesday, September 9

Start : Crossville, TN

End : Mosheim, TN

Miles Traveled : 133

Total Driving Hours : 2.5

Day 211: Wednesday, September 10

Start : Mosheim, TN

End : Bristol, TN

Miles Traveled : 49

Total Driving Hours : 1

Day 212: Thursday, September 11

Sun rising from atop Medallion Campground

Our neighbor, Charles, from Ohio putting the Bristol #2 sticker on the map

Our campsite in Earhardt Campground right by Bristol Motor Speedway

Our neighbors from Ohio

Deano's rig parked up in Medallion lot

Sun setting from high atop Medallion Campground

Day 213: Friday, September 12

What a day! We started out with a walk up to the Medallion lot to pick up a flag from Tammy to have Dale Jr. sign. Headed over to Hard Rock Casino just across the border in Bristol, VA. Dale Jr.'s appearance was schedule to start at 1pm. There were already almost 200 people in line by the time we got there just before 11. Met some great fans while we stood in line for over two hours. Aaron was standing in front of us. He took a red eye flight all the way from Oregon to Charlotte, then made the 3 hour drive over to Bristol. Jared was standing right behind us. He's from Bristol but is going to head to New Hampshire next. Look forward to meeting up with him. Bob was also behind us. He's headed to St. Louis but wanted to stop to meet Dale first. It was awesome meeting Dale Jr. We showed him the map and he was pretty impressed when we shared our journey with him. Gave him a ticket from the 2000 Bristol night race that had a picture of his dad on it (from the previous year, where Dale Sr. won after spinning Terry Labonte). Dale was appreciative. After Hard Rock, we headed over to Michael Waltrip Brewing to see Mikey. He didn't show up but we met some folks from the local NBC station. They were there to interview Mikey, but asked if they could interiew us instead since he didn't show. Kristen is the anchor for the evening news and she was awesome to talk to. A true race fan herself. When we got back, we headed up to Medallion lot for super with Brad, Tammy, Dee, Tony, Carrol, Cindy, Dave, and Melinda. We got up there just in time to flip on the 5:30 News and watch our segment air. Super cool to be able to share that with some good friends in real time! The Xfinity race (Food City 300) kicked off under the lights. Heck of race and our boy Sheldon Creed worked all the way up the field at the end to finish P2 behind Aric Almirola. Another 2 laps and he would have had it! Caught up with our buddy Randy from Goodyear Racing after the race. Great party scene all around the campgrounds. Stages with live music all over the place. Bristol Night Race tomorrow!

Meeting Dale Jr, and showing him the map at Hard Rock Casino

Met some new friends for life at the Dale Jr. appearance

Kristen from WCYB after interviewing us for the 5:30 News segment

After the Food City 300

Caught up with Randy after the race

Day 214: Saturday, September 13

Week 30 - Darlington to St. Louis

Total Miles Traveled This Week:830

Total Hours on the Road this Week:14.5

Day 202: Monday, September 1

Start : Darlington, SC

End : Spartanburg, SC

Miles Traveled : 190

Total Driving Hours : 3.5

We were the last ones to pull out of Darlington Raceway... again. Took a trip just down the road to the Buc-ee's in Florence so we could fuel up. We had 50 amp hookup for the weekend so didn't need to run the generator, but diesel is cheap in South Carolina, especially at Buc-ee's so we took advantage of it. Finally got on the road around 4pm. Not a bad trip up to Spartanburg where we stopped at Cracker Barrel for the night. Going to get up early and hit the road. We'll see how far we get on our way to the St. Louis area.

Day 203: Tuesday, September 2

Start : Spartanburg, SC

End : O'Fallon, IL

Miles Traveled : 640

Total Driving Hours : 11

We got up early and hit the road around 8am after a short walk with Stella. Stopped at another Buc-ee's, this time in Crossville, TN. Long day on the road - about 11 hours - but made it to Illinois. We are about 20 miles from the race track now. Walmart visit tomorrow morning and then we plan to meet up with George just outside the track.

Cracker Barrel - Spartanburg, SC

Made it to Illinois!

Rest stop in Illinois where we stopped to walk Stella

Day 204: Wednesday, September 3

Start : O'Fallon, IL

End : Madison, IL

Miles Traveled : 14

Total Driving Hours : .5

Got up and headed over to Walmart to stock up for the weekend then over to Home Depot to get some stuff for the raising of our undercarriage. After that we headed down the road towards the track. No campers can enter until tomorrow so our buddies from Stepp's, George and Dwight, held a spot for us next to them at Pilot. We are right across from the track. Still working out our details tomorrow but hopefully headed into the track tomorrow.

Top of the Mornin' from Sam's Club - O'Fallon, IL

The merch haulers parked in the Pilot lot

Day 205: Thursday, September 4

Start : Madison, IL

End : Madison, IL

Miles Traveled : 1

Total Driving Hours : .5

Took Stella on a walk around the track this morning. The camping lot was empty because they didn't open the gates until noon. The line of campers was still lined up about a mile to main road at 9am. We met up with Brad and Tammy - they graciously hooked us up with a camping spot next to them. Had some steaks with George and Dwight at Pilot and then packed up the rig and headed across the street to pull in to camping lot. This is the smallest camping lot we've seen on the circuit so far. Just one lot outside and some limited camping in the infield. Walked around and met some of our neighbors and watched part of the Cowboys-Eagles game (Eagles won 24-20). Our neighbor, Jason, is from Philly but we still let him put the WWT Raceway sticker on the map. Brad and I will head to the brewery tomorrow to meet up with some old friends and pick up some beer.

Day 206: Friday, September 5

Woke up early and headed over to the stage for some "Donuts for Derelicts" sponsored by Schnucks. Brad and I headed across the river to the A-B brewery around 9:30. The gate to the cmpground was closed so we had to go all the way around the other side. This is the first time we've seen a campground that is completely locked during "off hours" (8pm-12pm). Met up with some old friends, Tony Berra and Jeff Shand, who I worked with for years. They hooked us up with some Busch Light for the weekend. Brad headed back to the campsite and I made some rounds and then walked around the city a bit before making it back the Illinois. The Blues Hog Pit Boss BBQ contest was just finishing when I got back. Then the kids had a watermelon-eating contest. Our new buddy, Paul, and I got a kick outta watching that. Great music on the two stages. Cardboard Dale was the headliner; playing 90's alternative music. Definitely enjoyed listening to them.

Day 207: Saturday, September 6

Day 208: Sunday, September 7

Week 29 - Daytona to Darlington

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:607

Total Hours on the Road this Week:10

Day 194: Sunday, August 24

Day 195: Monday, August 25

Day 196: Tuesday, August 26

We're still at Florida Shores. The part we needed came in, but it was the wrong one. Made the most of it and took Stella to New Smyrna Beach. We walked about 5 miles on the beach - from Flagler Street to the dog park area on the beach where the light house is. Didn't realize until later that dogs weren't allowed on the part that we were walking on. Whoops! everyone loved Miss Stella as always. Stopped into a couple local spots for a look around as we walked back to the car. Lewis got everything fized up on the rig. We'll pull out tomorrow morning to South Carolina!

Flagler Street - Downtown New Smyrna Beach

Cool little spot for some refreshements in downtown NSB (New Smyrna Beach)

Tayton O'Brians was poppin for a Tuesday!

Sharky's scratch kitchen. Highluy recommend

Storm came in just as we were leaving the beach. Crazy how they let cars on the beach here!

Day 197: Wednesday, August 27

Start : Edgewater, FL

End : Elgin, SC

Miles Traveled : 451

Total Driving Hours : 8

We got everything sorted on the rig and we're ready for the final stretch of the season. Our friends at Florida Shores Truck Center took care of us again. We swung over to Orange City, FL to drop the Tahoe off. Wendell is going to paint it to match the rig. Excited to see how it comes out when I head down to pick it up after the St. Louis race. The plan was to make it up to Columbia and camp at Sesquisentennial State Park again but we got on the road too late. We parked at my mom's house instead which is never a bad alternative. Always good to see mom and John. Over to Darlington tomorrow!

Lewis and Chris at Florida Shores Truck Center before we got on the road

Stopped in to see our buddy, Wendell to get the Tahoe painted

George's favorite bar. St. George, SC.

Day 198: Thursday, August 28

Start : Elgin, SC

End : Darlington, SC

Miles Traveled : 63

Total Driving Hours : 1.5

Mom got a couple calls from the HOA about the rig parked across the street in the empty lot. This thing definitely gets people's attention! It was great to sleep in a real bed last night. We got to hang out with mom and John for a bit and took Stella for a nice walk around the ole neighborhood before we hit the road to Darlington. It was an easy ride down I-20. We pulled into Darlington Raceway around 5pm - we're parked in the infield right across from the Driver/Owner lot thanks to our buddy Todd and Stegall Trucking. We haven't seen him since Charlotte so we're looking forward to hanging out this weekend. The hauler parade went right through downtown Darlington before pulling into the track - one of the coolest hauler parades in all of NASCAR. Afterwards, we linked up with our buddies Cory, Kyle, and Kreist who made it all the way over here from Phoenix. It's their first time in Darlington - I know they're going to love it. This place really is awesome. Stayed up way too late catching up with old friends and meeting new ones - definitely worth it though!

The rig parked across the street from my mom's house

Connected with some old friends in Darlington - camped right next to us

Met up with Cory, Kyle, Kreist, Brian and Lisa

Day 199: Friday, August 29

Day 200: Saturday, August 30

Day 201: Sunday, August 31

Week 28 - Richmond to Daytona

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:805

Total Hours on the Road this Week:14.5

Day 187: Sunday, August 17

Start : Richmond, VA

End : Hamer, SC

Miles Traveled : 270

Total Driving Hours : 5

We were some of the last to pull out of Richmond Raceway. Got on the road around 3pm. It wasn't a bad trip south before we decided to pull into South of the Border for the night. Built in 1950 just over the NC/SC border, this has been one of the biggest tourist "traps" for over 70 years. We used to stop here on family trips to and from Pennsylvania as a kid. I remember getting ice cream here in the 80's. The ice cream shop is still there but it was closed for the night by the time we arrived. Took Stella for a walk around the property. Not much has changed in all those years since I was here last. The same neon lights are still intact, although I don't think there was a single sign that wasn't at least partially burned out. We parked in Porky's Truck Stop at South of the Border. There's a motocross complex right behind us - SOBMX. Not many trucks parked here. The adverstised "24 hour" truck stop shop closes at 11pm now, apparently. On the road to Columbia tomorrow.

Pedro wearing his pancho

The Fiddler Steakhouse. Closed Mondays

Porky's Truck Stop for the night!

No FedEx Trucks allowed (not sure why)

I don't remember the Reptile Lagoon from when I was a kid. But it's still here!

Day 188: Monday, August 18

Start : Hamer, SC

End : Columbia, SC

Miles Traveled : 105

Total Driving Hours : 2

Walked Stellla around the ole South of the Border complex this morning. Not much has changed with this place since 1987... except that the Convention Center has closed, the amusement park is grown over with weeds (as well as the "Golf of Mexico" miniature golf course). The playgrounds, "fountain", arcade and all of the shops are still there; is the 200 foot observation tower (the big sombrero). We headed down 95 and stopped at the new Buc-ee's in Florence to fuel up. Not a long trip today. Pulled into Sesquisentennial State Park just after lunch and set up camp for the evening.

Pedro and the 200 foot Observation tower (we didn't go to the top, but it is still open!)

Didn't know these "rides" still existed! Only 25 cents!

Playground number 1 - still open!

Playground number 2 - still open!

The Arcade has seen better days. But still open!

Convention Center now closed

Amusement Park and "Golf of Mexico closed too

Pedro's Myrtle Beach Shop is still going strong!

Day 189: Tuesday, August 19

Start : Columbia, SC

End : Edgewater, FL

Miles Traveled : 412

Total Driving Hours : 7

We met our neighbors this morning at Sesquisentennial - Jean and Keith. They are the campgroun hosts and actually grew up in the same area I did. Nice people who are full-time RVers. We look forward to staying in touch. Washed the rig and got on the road to Florida. Pulled into Florida Shores Truck Center in Edgewater (about 15 miles south of Daytona) where we're going to have our guys take a look at a few things tomorrow morning. Hopefully it won't be anything major.

Rig is all shined up!

Splash pad at Sesquisentennial State Park

Old log cabin from the Daughters of the Confederacy

Day 190: Wednesday, August 20

Start : Edgewater, FL

End : Daytona Beach, FL

Miles Traveled : 20

Total Driving Hours : .5

We spent most of the day at Florida Shores Truck Center. We try to stop in here when we're in the area. Great group of mechanics but even better bunch of guys. Lewis took a look at everything we had on our checklist. We'll head back Monday for one more quick repair that they didn't have the part for when we were here. Headed up 95 a short 20 miles to Daytona and pulled into the speedway around 7pm. Parked in yellow 514. Our buddy Christian and the folks at Anheuser-Busch took care of us again for this race. Awesome spot right along the Daytona version of "The Boulevard" in the infield. Deano pulled up to welcome us and help us set up. Always good to see him. This is 8th race now thar we've met up.After we got set up, I took Stella for a walk around. Met up with Brian and Lisa and hung out with them for a bit. On the way back to the campsite, I met a group of guys still getting after it. They happened to be from Timmonsville, SC and were Clemson and Carolina fans here for one their buddy's (Chance) bachelor party.

Chris, Lewis, and Ed from Florida Shores Truck Center

Getting everything checked out to keep us on the road for the next 15,000 miles

Jay, Chevy, Jordan, Ford, and Chance (not pictured Bowtie and Culver)

Day 191: Thursday, August 21

It's hot here in Daytona. We met up with Christian at Hooters right across the track. It's always good to catch up with old friends. The rain came hard and fast when we were heading back to the track. It's a short walk but I got soaked. Rain didn't last long and seemed to cool things off a bit. We headed over the the Newmar Motorcoach Meet and Greet event in the infield and caught up with our buddy Kirk Chubbs and met some new folks as well. We then headed over to the Fan Zone in the infield for the Camper Welcome Party where we ran into Blair and Monica whom we met in Homestead back in March when they were camped right across from us. Randy from Goodyear met up with us and we walked over to Lake Lloyd Campground to hang out with Brian and Lisa. Wendell and Christina were there too - they got in today and are camped right nect to Brian and Lisa. We always have so much fun catching up with this crew.

Across the street from Daytona International Speedway

Our friends from Newmar and Campers Inn RV

Love seeing college buddy, Christian

Ran into our neighbors from Homestead-Miami, Blair and Monica

Day 192: Friday, August 22

Meeting up with Ross, the Busch Guy, and Christian and Jenn from AB at Walmart before their appearance

Monica and Blair! Our neighbors from Homestead-Miami

Eric! Our neighbor who has a podcast he invited us on tomorrow!

Xfinity race time!

First time meeting Willy B! 2025 Daytona 500 winner, William Byron. Great guy!

Day 193: Saturday, August 23

Race Day in Daytona for the Coke Zero Sugar 400! We got to be guests of Eric on his podcast today so that was cool. Went over to hang out with Brian and Lisa and the Caruthers Crew - Christina and Wendell's daughter, Brooke was attending her first Cup Series race. Hopefully we helped in making a new NASCAR fan. The number of pools in the infield here is 10X more than we've seen anywhere else. Daytona is a really cool place to be for a race weekend. Went over to Hooters for a bit and saw the Busch Light show car. The place was absolutely packed before the race. On the way back over the track, we noticed the Busch Light inflatables were down because the generators were out of gas. We took care of that and got them back up and running just in time for the green flag. What a race! 4-wide finish at the end. Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag - the first driver to go pole to checker at this track in 10 years (although there were a lot of leaders in between in this one!) Hung out with all the folks til early in the morning. Tomorrow may be a rough one.

Kickin it with the Caruthers crew before the race

Got the Busch Light inflatable up and running again

Hanging with Brian, Lisa, and Willie!

Brooke and Aleah got to meet Ross!

Post Race fun with Greg, Brian, and Lisa

Some new friends kicking it in the pool. One of many.

Some of favorite people. Pre race

The president of Homestead-Miami Speedway

Week 27 - Watkins Glen to Richmond

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:453

Total Hours on the Road this Week:10.5

Day 181: Monday, August 11

Start : Watkins Glen, NY

End : Frederick, MD

Miles Traveled : 259

Total Driving Hours : 5.5

Day 182: Tuesday, August 12

Start : Frederick, MD

End : Chesterfield, VA

Miles Traveled : 168

Total Driving Hours : 4

Made it to Richmond. Camped out at Pocohontas State Park before we head to Richmond Raceway tomorrow!

Day 183: Wednesday, August 13

Start : Chesterfield, VA

End : Richmond, VA

Miles Traveled : 26

Total Driving Hours : 1

Day 184: Thursday, August 14

Day 185: Friday, August 15

Broke away from the NASCAR busyness for a few hours to head over to Bob Mizell's country club for a round of golf. I ubered up to his house and we went over to the Foundry where he's been a member since the early 90's. We both played terrible (me more than him) but had a great time catching up. Had dinner with Bob and Marlene afterwards where we ran into two UVA alums who were taller than me! And one of them actually balled with Ralph Sampson back in the day - Terry Gates! So cool! I made it back to the track in time for the end of the Craftsman Series Truck race where Corey Heim did it again! Met up with Greg (Stepp's) after the race and he showed us around the Driver/Owner lot and met up with some great friends, new and old! Joe from Dover came along for the ride too! What a day@

The Foundry! What a track!

Bob and Marlene!

Hell yes!

This dude played ball with 3-time NCAA player of the year, Ralph Sampson!

Good genes.... and Bob!

Greg introducing me to some friends for life!

More friends for life.... including Joe and Greg!

Dean, Greg, Joe and our other new friends for life!

Day 186: Saturday, August 16

Cook Out 400 tonight at Richmond Raceway! It was only the third night race of the year for the Cup Sculareries (Nashville and Atlanta) but only the second Saturday night race (Atlanta). It was brutally hot during the day but not as bad as Indy or Dover! Stella didn't love being outside today. George (Stepp's) came by after traveling about 3,000 miles this week transporting race wreckers to and fro. Had a couple Busch Lights in the rig before we headed into Richmond Raceway. First time in that venue. Wow! I grew up watching racing on TV at this track but the tube doesn't do it justice. This place is awesome. I would recomend sitting in the tower. Grant and Joe had me up there and the views were spectacular. Austin Dillon led over 100 laps in the #3 car - first time since Dale Sr. did it in the #3 since 1998 Daytona 500 (his only win in the Great American Race) - to win the Cook Out 400 and qualify for the 2025 Cup Series playoffs. Great time with our neighbors, Steve and Tom before we headed out to film the haulers leaving at 1:00am.

With George and Brent aka "Leprechaun"

Haulers pulling out of Richmond

Great friends Joe and Blake from Dover

Awesome view atop the tower

One of the best views in NASCAR!

Week 26 - Iowa to Watkins Glen

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:935

Total Hours on the Road this Week:18.5

Day 174: Monday, August 4

Start : Newton, IA

End : Utica, IL

Miles Traveled : 224

Total Driving Hours : 5

Day 175: Tuesday, August 5

Start : Utica, IL

End : Madison, OH

Miles Traveled : 448

Total Driving Hours : 8

Day 176: Wednesday, August 6

Start : Madison, OH

End : Watkins Glen, NY

Miles Traveled : 263

Total Driving Hours : 5.5

Day 177: Thursday, August 7

Cornhole Tournament in the Campground!

Day 178: Friday, August 8

ARCA and NASCAR Truck Series Doubleheader

Day 179: Saturday, August 9

Day 180: Sunday, August 10

Race Day at Watkins Glen! Go Bowling at The Glen

Week 25 - Indianapolis to Iowa

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:529

Total Hours on the Road this Week:11

Day 167: Monday, July 28

Start : Indianapolis, IN

End : Oakwood, IL

Miles Traveled : 89

Total Driving Hours : 2

Day 168: Tuesday, July 29

Start : Oakwood, IL

End : Cedar Rapids, IA

Miles Traveled : 291

Total Driving Hours : 5

Day 169: Wednesday, July 30

Start : Cedar Rapids, IA

End : Cedar Rapids, IA

Advance Auto Parts Night at the Races. NASCAR Weekly Racing at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

Day 170: Thursday, July 31

Start : Cedar Rapids, IA

End : Newton, IA

Miles Traveled : 89

Total Driving Hours : 2

Day 171: Friday, August 1

Start : Newton, IA

End : Newton, IA

Miles Traveled : 60

Total Driving Hours : 2

Ross Chastain Appearance at Casey's in Des Moines.

Day 172: Saturday, August 2

Start : Newton, IA

End : Newton, IA

Xfinity Race at Iowa

Day 173: Sunday, August 3

Start : Newton, IA

End : Newton, IA

Iowa Corn 350 presented by Ethanol

Week 24 - Dover to Indianapolis

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:757

Total Hours on the Road this Week:16

Day 160: Monday, July 21

Start : Dover, DE

End : Washington, PA

Miles Traveled : 323

Total Driving Hours : 7

Day 161: Tuesday, July 22

Start : Washington, PA

End : Springfield, OH

Miles Traveled : 246

Total Driving Hours : 4

Day 162: Wednesday, July 23

Start : Springfield, OH

End : Carmel, IN

Miles Traveled : 152

Total Driving Hours : 3

Day 163: Thursday, July 24

Start : Carmel, IN

End : Indianapolis, IN

Miles Traveled : 18

Total Driving Hours : 1

Day 164: Friday, July 25

Start : Indianapolis, IN

End : Indianapolis, IN

Miles Traveled : 18

Total Driving Hours : 1

Day 165: Saturday, July 26

Xfinity Series Race at Indianapolis

Day 166: Sunday, July 26

Start : Indianpolis Motor Speedway

End : Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Race Day - Brickyard 400

Week 23 - Sonoma to Dover

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:3043

Total Hours on the Road this Week:49.5

Day 153: Monday, July 14

Start : Winnemucca, NV

End : Cozad, NE

Miles Traveled : 1060

Total Driving Hours : 16

Day 154: Tuesday, July 15

Start : Cozad, NE

End : Joliet, IL

Miles Traveled : 671

Total Driving Hours : 10

Day 155: Wednesday, July 16

Start : Joliet, IL

End : Ovid, MI

Miles Traveled : 262

Total Driving Hours : 4.5

Day 156: Thursday, July 17

Start : Ovid, MI

End : Mantua, OH

Miles Traveled : 264

Total Driving Hours : 5

Day 158: Friday, July 18

Start : Mantua,OH

End : Dover, DE

Miles Traveled : 424

Total Driving Hours : 8

Day 158: Saturday, July 19

Day 159: Sunday, July 20

Week 22 - Chicago to Sonoma

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:2459

Total Hours on the Road this Week:43

Day 146: Monday, July 7

Start : Joliet, IL

End : Belvidere, SD

Miles Traveled : 811

Total Driving Hours : 12.5

Took Stella for a long walk around Chicagoland Speedway. I hope we get to see some NASCAR racing back here next year. It's such a great track an the people here have been so great to us. We got everything packed up for the journey out West. Said good bye to our buddies from Stepp's and our new friends from the NASCAR Fire and Safety Crew - we look forward to meeting up with them at a future race. We were the second last ones to pull out and got to chat with Paul before we did. It was a long trip across Iowa and into South Dakota. We drove right through a big thunderstorm as it was getting dark. Finally pulled over for the night at a rest stop in Belvidere, South Dakota. Mt. Rushmore tomorrow!

Greg - Crew Chief for Stepp's Race Recovery

The old Monster Energy Cup Series sign still atop the flag stand at Chicagoland Speedway

Kevin from NASCAR Fire and Safety Crew

Al from NASCAR Fire and Safety Crew

The corn fields of Iowa

Day 147: Tuesday, July 8

Start : Belvidere, SD

End : Lakeside, UT

Miles Traveled : 920

Total Driving Hours : 15

Day 148: Wednesday, July 9

Start : Lakeside, UT

End : Truckee, CA

Miles Traveled : 506

Total Driving Hours : 9

Day 149: Thursday, July 10

Start : Truckee, CA

End : Sonoma, CA

Miles Traveled : 166

Total Driving Hours : 4.5

Day 150: Friday, July 11

Start : Sonoma, CA

End : Sonoma, CA

Miles Traveled : 56

Total Driving Hours : 2

Day 151: Saturday, July 12

Day 152: Sunday, July 13

Start : Sonoma, CA

End : Winnemucca, NV

Miles Traveled : 362

Total Driving Hours : 6

Week 21 - Atlanta to Chicago

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:635

Total Hours on the Road this Week:13.5

Day 138: Sunday, June 29

Start : Hampton, GA

End : Acworth, GA

Miles Traveled : 68

Total Driving Hours : 2

Day 139: Monday, June 30

Start : Acworth, GA

End : Nashville, TN

Miles Traveled : 211

Total Driving Hours : 4

Day 140: Tuesday, July 1

Start : Nashville, TN

End : Louisville, KY

Miles Traveled : 215

Total Driving Hours : 4.5

Day 141: Wednesday, July 2

Start : Louisville, KY

End : Zionsville, IN

Miles Traveled : 141

Total Driving Hours : 3

Day 142: Thursday, July

Start : Zionsville, IN

End : Joliet, IL

Miles Traveled : 175

Total Driving Hours : 3.5

Day 143: Friday, July 4

Day 144: Saturday, July 5

Start : Joliet, IL

End : Joliet, IL

Miles Traveled : 104

Total Driving Hours : 4

Day 135: Sunday, July 6

Start : Joliet, IL

End : Joliet, IL

Miles Traveled : 104

Total Driving Hours : 4

Week 20 - Pocono to Atlanta

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:872

Total Hours on the Road this Week:16.5

Day 132: Monday, June 23

Start : Long Pond, PA

End : Martinsburg, WV

Miles Traveled : 206

Total Driving Hours : 4

We hung out with Kyle for a bit this morning before he had to get on the road to Virginia Beach. Got all packed up and bid farewell to Pocono Raceway around 2pm. We were some of the last to leave. Put about 4 hours in on the road and stopped at Cracker Barrel for the night in Martinsburg, WV. Going to get a good night's rest. Long travel day tomorrow.

Until next year, Pocono!

Cracker Barrel - Martinsburg, WV

Day 133: Tuesday, June 24

Start : Martinsburg, WV

End : Blacksburg, SC

Miles Traveled : 418

Total Driving Hours : 7.5

We pulled out of Cracker Barrel early this morning - around 8:30am. The price of diesel dropped by 60 cents once we crossed into Virginia so we fueled up and headed towards Kings Mountain State Park. We got into the camp site just before 4pm. It's our second time here after stopping for a couple days between Darlington and Bristol. The state park is connected adjacent to Kings Mountain National Military Park and sits right along South Carolina/North Carolina state line. It's a beautiful park with lots of trails to bike and hike. Only $30 a night for full hookup (50 amp and water).

Diesel dropped 60 cents a gallon when we crossed the Mason-Dixon!

Trading Post just a couple hundred feet from our campsite at Kings Mountain State Park

Day 134: Wednesday, June 25

We spent the day at Kings Mountain. Stella and I took an early morning hike for about 6 miles across the state line into North Carolina and back. Kings Mountain State Park has some cool history. During the Great Depression, low-income South Carolinians suffered greatly. To provide paying jobs and affordable recreation, President Roosevelt established various programs, some of which built new parks. At Kings Mountain, work was done by the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) alonf with dozen of local workers hired under the Emergency Relief Appropriations Act. Between 1936 and 1942, these local men built a bathhouse and many other structures in the park. The construction featured local stone and timber. These materials were inexpensive and easy to get, and they contributed to "parkitecture", a style that complements natural surroundings. It was really hot and humid today but a big thunderstorm came through around 7pm. It lasted for about an hour and a half and cooled things off for a nice evening walk. Headed to Atlanta tomorrow.

The bathhouse built by local workers - 1939

The view of the lake and damn behind the bathhouse

Day 135: Thursday, June 26

Start : Blacksburg, SC

End : Hampton, GA

Miles Traveled : 248

Total Driving Hours : 5

Day 136: Friday, June 27

Day 137: Saturday, June 28

Week 19 - Mexico City to Pocono

Made possible by:

Total Miles Traveled This Week:2947

Total Hours on the Road this Week:19.5

Day 125: Monday, June 16

Start : Mexico City, Mexico

End : Mexico City, Mexico

Miles Traveled : 62

Total Driving Hours : 4

Trip to Pyramids

Day 126: Tuesday, June 17

Start : Mexico City, Mexico

End : Berwyn, PA

Miles Traveled : 2617

Total Driving Hours : 8

Day 127: Wednesday, June 18

Start : Berwyn, PA

End : Tafton, PA

Miles Traveled : 147

Total Driving Hours : 4

Day 128: Thursday June 19

Start : Tafton, PA

End : Long Pond, PA

Miles Traveled : 41

Total Driving Hours : 1.5

Day 129: Friday, June 20

Start : Long Pond, PA

End : Long Pond, PA

Miles Traveled : 80

Total Driving Hours : 1.5

Trip to Dickson City - Harrison Burton and Josh Williams

Day 130: Saturday, June 21

Xfinity Race in Pocono

Day 131: Sunday, June 22

Race Day at Pocono - The Great American Getaway 400! Got up around 9am and looked outside to see some heavy cloud cover. The rain came shortly afterwards, delaying the start of the race for over two and a half hours. Once the clouds cleared, the sun was out and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Unfortunately a lot of the driver appearances and pre-race festivities were cancelled. After the race got underway, Stella and I took a walk around the packed infield. We happened to come across a camper that caught fire when a nearby grill got too hot. Luckily there were several people from neighboring sites who rushed over with their fire extinguishers to put the flames out. Only minimal damage to the RV and no one was hurt, luckily. Pocono Raceway has a paddock area with a deck overlooking the frontstretch from behind the pits - unlike any other track we've been to so far. The race was sold out, the first one in 15 years at Pocono, and it was great to see such a full house as we looked across the frontstretch. We watched the 3rd stage from the deck in the paddock and saw Chase Briscoe take the checkered flag in his #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota. We had a good view of the celebration in Victory Lane from the Paddock Deck as well. After the race we headed back to the campsite and met up with our neighbors who joined us in a walk over to the Amazon Prime post-race show in the infield. Two of our neighbors' kids asked if they could wave the Sparky Superfan and Clemson flags amongst the crowd gathered behind the set. It was so cool! Almost like a College Gameday-type setting. Brad had some barbecue sandwiches cooked up for us when we got back to the campsite. Delicious. The haulers pulled out around 10pm so we crossed the track to catch them. Security wouldn't let us cross over the track afterwards so we had to take the longer walk around and through the tunnel. We hung out for a bit with Brad and Tammy after we got back. We've really had a great time with them as our neighbors this weekend. Can't wait to see them again next weekend in Atlanta!