Tony smokes them in Daytona

We show up in Daytona Beach late yesterday evening, and as we drive by the Daytona International Speed way, we can can't help but be amazed at the sheer size of the complex.   The imposing structure helps to grow our anticipation of what awaits us in the morning.   As soon as you cross the tunnel and exit out into the infield of the speedway, you are in awe, its as if you we in the middle of the Coliseum.   Now, let me assure you that neither Tony or I are fans of the backwood redneck sport (wait, that might actually be a game, as one can do it while drinking a beer, but more on that in a minute) of NASCAR racing, but holy shit is that holy grail of stock car racing ever impressive.    It is extremely rare for the general public, let alone hacks like us to drive at Daytona, so this was the first time anyone in our overall group got to drive at the track.   Most were intimidated by the long, FAST straights, and the steep banking of the ovals, but all were excited to be present.   Tony was up against some steep odds as we eyed the course an the big bore power of most of the machinery at the event.  As quick and nimble as the Lotus is, it just doesn't have the horsepower necessary to generate the high speeds the others had in spades.   The course had only a short section of technical, tight radius turns, otherwise its a pedal to the metal kind of a race.   As he took off chasing after a BMW M-3 driven by team Iran,  I was not giving him much of a chance.   Much to my dismay, he was gaining on the M-3 (spaced 15 seconds apart at the start) by the middle of lap 1, by lap 3 he gained 13 seconds on the M-3, nearly passing it.   The time may be trivial, but when you see it in person, its a true triumph of David over Goliath.   Tony finished in 37th position overall!   Over lunch, Tony proclaims: "Im not driving anymore today, Im going to treat myself to a delicious beer"......shortly after lunch tough we hopped in the car to do some "victory" laps around the track, before the afternoon race sessions.   This was a last minute treat, where we could drive around the track with two people in the car with no helmets or race suits.  



As we got to the car, it was decided he should drive and show the details of the track.  Little did we know we would actually be following pace cars, and would be allowed to run HOT laps at top speeds.   As we entered the first oval, I realized that this was no walk in the park.  The oval gets to about three stories high, and is pitched steeply enough that you could not stand on the track.  The low windshield of the Lotus makes it impossible to look around the track, so the racing rule of "look where you want to go" does you no good,  as you have no clue as to where you are going.   To add to all that, the track seems to get smaller as you are going around it, faster and faster and faster......all the while Im shitting a brick, Tony is giggling like a little school girl......I close my eyes, I think Im going to throw up, he's laughing.....I want to pull over and walk back......I go into a complete metal breakdown, while Tony is having the time of his life.   We go around six or seven times, reaching speeds of 130-135mph, which feels like a 1000.    The ride felt like the most terrifying roller coaster of my life.   I announce quickly that there is no way in hell Im driving that course.   Disappointing, yes, but self-preservation is more important, and besides we need the points.  I'll drive on a flat track tomorrow.    Tony gets out there for heat 2, again behind the M-3 from team Iran, and battle two ensues.   By lap three, Tony is on the tail of the M-3, Nick not willing to move over is holding onto the lead, but right after they come off the banking at 145mph, Nick hits the brakes early to come into the technical section of the course, while Tony whips around him, holding onto his speed for the crucial extra .5-1 second and passes on his left immediately prior to going into a sharp bend.   It was a brilliant move on Tony's part, who drives like he rides a bike (for those of you who dont know him well, he is one of the best).   He not only beat the time of a car carrying a 250hp advantage, but he actually passed it.....on a track where the Lotus should have come in the back of the pack.   Tony managed a 31st overall position with that incredible win!!!   Our team moves into 36th overall position in the standings, thanks to the incredible driving skills and fearless attitude of my driving partner.   Now, back to that game/sport discussion.....it dawned on us as we were leaving the track at the end of the day, that he did all of this after drinking over lunch......NASCAR=game