2006 Citrus Nationals at Moroso Motorsports Park

Well if you read the previous blog. you read that we were rained out from our last pass of the evening. But before that, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Memories from last year were the topic of conversation. I had am emergency appendectomy a few days before Thanksgiving, and was not able to cook Thanksgiving dinner, so in the spirit of last year our wonderful neighbor, said that she would cook it again this year. With our stomachs full of turkey and dressing, we packed our bags for the up coming weekend. First we had to make a quick stop at the airport to pick up Miss Peggie Horton, a good friend. She flew in to help us out at the race this weekend.

We caught up on old times on the way to the track and met up with Miss Frannie (rock n roll thunder) when we pulled in. After grabbing a quick dinner, we hit the bed to get ready for the big weekend to come.


When we pulled in the track, it was PACKED!!! The news was this was the biggest turnout in Citrus Nationals history. We had a bunch of special friends come out to see us, first the great fans that always take time to stop and say HI, and then some new friends that we met last weekend from the NASCAR race. Michael the "Cookie Man" baked Andrew some great cookies to help celebrate his 10th birthday. We all enjoyed them and so did my hips!!!

The weather was a little hit and miss at first, looked good, but when it was time for our first pass, the skies were clear and the car ran great. But when it was time to run the second pass, the rain started and it was time to pack it in for the night.


We all went out for dinner, and back to the hotel and was in bed by 11:00 for a change. The next morning the skies were grey and things didn't look great. We stopped a Publix to pick up Andrew's birthday cake. After hitting an armadillo on the way to the track (gross) we pulled in to drizzling rain showers. The skies cleared just enough to give us false hope, but in the end, it was just too much and the race was called.


On the way home, we stopped and picked up pizza and was home watching CARS by 6:00. Peggie had a early flight home the next morning and it was Andrew's official birthday Monday. We had a party with family and friends in the evening. Andrew likes a cake made by me, and decorated by Chris. This year it featured the new Embry-Riddle jet dragster.

This week will be spent getting ready for the Snowbird Nationals at Bradenton Motorsports Park this weekend. If you are in the area, make sure and stop by and say HI.

See you at the races!!

Elaine

Saturday night racing at Moroso Motorsports Park

Hey, I am sitting at the hotel on Saturday night, we were rained out for the final pass of the evening at Moroso Motorsports Park. It was a record crowd on had for their 25 anniversary. The Embry-Riddle jet dragster ran down the quarter mile with no problems. We are looking forward to our 3 passes tomorrow. Cross your fingers for sunny weather. Lots of great friends and fans came out to see us. I will post a full spot later time for bed.

Love ya,
Elaine

HOW THE OTHER HALF PLAYS!!!

Saturday November 18th the Embry-Riddle Jet Racing Team headed south. We were invited to be a part of the NASCAR experience and display the jet dragster in the Fan Zone before the final race in Homestead, Florida.

We arrived in Miami on Saturday afternoon then met up with the rest of our crew. I was given six credentials. It was real easy to find someone that wanted to go with us. Of course Chris, Andrew and myself, then George and Jeff from Embry-Riddle, that left us with one extra. My first thought was my friend Holly. She is a 3rd grade teacher at Andrew's school, and the BIGGEST NASCAR fan I know.


At dinner we tried to quiz each one to see which of them knew the most about NASCAR....I am going with Holly for the gossip, Jeff for technical NASCAR stuff, but the surprise hands down winner came from the "dark horse" George, when he pulled out all of the stops to take the checkered flag.

We had big plans to stay up and have fun, but the practical side of me said we had to leave for the race track at 4:45 a.m. so we were off to bed early.

Sunday morning was chilly, but otherwise a picture perfect day. Our display location was right on pit road in front of Dale Jr. Not a bad spot. We unloaded the dragster and set-up the display by 6:45. I was wondering how many fans would arrive so early since the race wasn't starting until 3:00, but by 8:30 a.m. the place was hopping.


I signed autographs from about 8:00 until 1:00. It was amazing. Race car fans are the best in the world. Talk about dedicated to their passion. I was overwhelmed by their welcome and genuine interest. Sadly the time came to pack the car up, but the main event was just getting started.

We didn't have a place sit to watch the race. Luck was on our side and we were invited by Jim from Jeldwen Corporation to share a suite right behind Jimmie Johnson's pit! To return the favor we invited the Jeldwen staff, at the race, to be our guests at our next race at Moroso Motorsports Park on November 25 & 26th. Andrew was even set up with headsets so he could listen to the drivers and crew during the race, pretty cool. By the end of the race, we were all NASCAR fans. It was great to watch Greg Biffle win the race and Jimmie Johnson take home the championship right in front of us.


Our team headed home on Monday morning stopping at Moroso to position the trailer for the upcoming race this weekend.

We are honored to have a special guest this weekend for the race. Peggie Horton is flying in from Texas to join us for the weekend. For those of you that may not know who she is, she is the late Ancel Horton's wife. Ancel was instrumental in helping Chris and myself when we were first getting started in jet racing. He passed away a year ago and we are happy that Peggie is coming down for a visit.

The next few weeks are going to be very hectic, with Moroso this weekend (Citrus Nationals) and Bradenton Motorsports Park (Snowbird Nationals)the following weekend. Then to cap off up the year, we will be attending the Performance Racing Industry show that is in Orlando, Florida. Keep checking back, I will try and update as much as possible.

See you all at the races!!!

Elaine

NASCAR here we come!!!!

A few weeks ago we were invited to display the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Jet Dragster at the final NASCAR race of the year in Homestead, Florida. It is a true honor for us to be able to do this. I am taking my camera, and am ready to have some fun. We have to be at the track at 5:30 Sunday morning November 19th. We will be on display from then until 1:30 right before the race. Andrew (Sparkplug) is busting at the seam with excitment.

Check back and you will see lots of action photos.

See ya,
Elaine