Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

In December, my mom bought my dad a Living Social deal to race an actual NASCAR racecar at Dunn Tire Speedway.  My dad has always been a bit of a motor-head, drooling over cars, dreaming about hitting it big one day and buying every car that he's always dreamed of.  He'd done some drag racing and once did a demolition derby when I was a kid but he's always wanted to go fast.

When Mark heard about my dad's gift, he said he would want to do it too.  So my mom and I watched for any other deals that might come out and right before Mark's birthday, they offered the same deal again.  Fifteen laps for $150.  I split the cost with my parents and surprised Mark with a super cool gift.

On Sunday, Mark and my dad finally got to race.  They both seemed a little bit nervous but a lot of bit excited.  I got to go down into the pit area with Mark to watch his race from there but stayed in the stands for my dad.  It was neat to see Mark get into one of the suits and a helmet, climb into the car through the window.  I was just hoping that he wouldn't crash or wreck the car at all.  One guy did lose control of his car and spun out while another got a flat tire and had to be towed back in.  Mark and my dad though had no problems which was a relief. :)

Playing Angry Birds while waiting for the fun to start.

Mark and my dad's fans:)

In the fire suit.  It was so hot, almost 85 degrees out and at least 20 degrees hotter once you were in the car!

Posing with his new ride.

Going fast around the track.  He fishtailed slightly coming out of this turn!

And his prize, a hug from Annabelle.

My dad in the #15 car.

My dad speeding past #90!

It ended up being a very long day.  Tons of waiting around in all that heat but it was a once in a lifetime kind of thing.  I'm glad that they both had so much fun.