Leaving Daytoan

We are leaving Daytona. The Beast is in the tunnel for the last time. What a race! What a day, gorgeous weather! What a week! We are in the minority, most people are staying since tomorrow is a Holiday. Rather bittersweet for us. We have had a great week, filled with so many interesting things.
Never found her Mike, but will this do?



Someone is either celebrating their love, or someone is apologizing. We saw these on our walk this morning! With the behavior I have seen here, you just never know.



Ben and Liz working hard this morning...


We headed over to the Fanzone, one last time, and saw Junior's car heading in for inspection


He still had the Pole...and in my mind this was what the Pole would read at the end of the race.


Alas, no. Dirks Bentley was in concert in the Fanzone. That was a fun surprise!



The man in the straw hat, is The Cat in The Hat, team owner Jack Roush
The next one is for my friend Peggy....Mark Martin.



he is my age, and probably the most physically fit of all drivers. Built like a jockey.


Ok, who is this??? He is a football player for Green Bay..attended the Drivers meeting with a Wisconsin driver.Anyone know??? Brad??? Jody???




Another view...
Leaving the Fanzone and walking to the race, we saw Todd Bodine's motor home, truck and golf cart (with personalized plates: Onion, leaving. Todd is basically a Camping World Truck driver (a frequent winner) and at Daytona he also drove in the Nationwide race.



Well, the race is on Sunday...


Something I am going to investigate... The Trams. They say NASCAR, not Daytona...I wonder if they haul them to all the races... Anyone know?



And this was BEFORE the race started...



Amazing pre-race concert, fireworks and all... Brad Paisley



He was looking at me, right???
And the National Anthem? None other than the amazing Martina McBride...she was wonderful....!!!


The flyover at the end of the anthem..spectacular. But you have already seen flyover photos. The Driver introductions were cool, and they emerged from a tunnel and walked through the crowd in the infield.


And the driver of the pace car...the Grand Marshall...none other than Josh Duhemal!
And this is the end of my race photos...I hope you all were watching The Great American Race on television..I was waving to you! A very touching tribute to Dale Earnhart, during the 3rd lap, all in attendance held up 3 fingers, and the entire track was silent. (he drove the number 3 car and died in a wreck on the final lap at Daytona 10years ago. Junior ran a good race,in the top 15 most of the race.There were wrecks and cautions galore..it was exciting. I was certain that my man Junior was going to pull it out..every time he was in the lead, however briefly, the entire crowd was on their feet. He is truly NASCAR's favorite son. If only he hadn't wrecked..if only! Papa Joe wanted to head to Phoenix for next weeks race...I have this thing called a job! and a new grand baby about to arrive! One thing I know is,I want to be at a race when Junior wins...I want to be a part of the crowd! This is going to be his year, I feel it!!!

Well, we are on the highway now...heading north. And guess what??? Junior's hauler just passed us! Way too cool!!

More from the road as we work our way home. Papa Joe is driving the Beast like the pro he is. What a fun week!

Location:In the tunnel