The need for speed....

Well I am back from my "Bucket List" weekend! I hope you all had a great weekend and for those of you that downloaded the free file - I would LOVE to see what you make with it!!

Now I know that I have gotten several emails and comments from you guys... seems you can't wait to hear what I did this weekend... so here's my tale!

Only those who know me best actually know that I am a closet "NASCAR" fan!!! Yep I will admit it I LOVE NASCAR! The cars, the speed, the hot drivers!!! (Oh did I actually type that???) Bahahaha!!!

When hubby and I first started dating it was quite funny cause on Sunday's we would go after church and hang out with friends - and every Sunday I was in the garage with all the boys watching NASCAR - and hubby would be hanging out with all the girls and non NASCAR watchers!!!

So for my 39th birthday - hubby purchased me the most AMAZING gift! He got me into the "Richard Petty's Driving School" at the Daytona 500 Speedway!!!!

Yep - that's right!! I got to go the Daytona 500 Speedway! One of the most famous NASCAR tracks out there (that sucker has a 31 degree bank!!!) and I got to drive my own race car around the track!!! Not only did I get to go around the track - but I got 16 laps around the track!!!

But first I had to learn all the ends and outs of the car at "driving school"!

Then we headed out to pit row and picked our cars!!! It was quite funny in my class of 11 people I was the only girl! So the guys always let me go first!!! (In the photo below I was telling them that they didn't have to be so nice to me just cause I was the only girl!!!) Bahahaha!!



Once we were all suited up and out on Pit row - it was amazing to be able to stand right next to an honest to goodness NASCAR car!!!



I have to say - I personally though I looked like a chipmunk in the freakishly large helmet - and let me tell you - it is very very very strange to be in a car and not be able to turn your head right or left because you have on a "hans" device!!!

Each driver had their own pit crew... this is my crew chief Dale getting my all strapped in and locked in to my car!!! (And yes - I was soooo excited because I have two favorite drivers.... Jeff Gordon #24 and Jimmy Johnson #48 - and can you tell - I GOT TO DRIVE THE LOWES #48 CAR!!!! Whhhhoooooo Hooooooo!!!)

Once I was all fastened in, my window net pulled up - I heard the four most famous words in NASCAR "Gentlemen START YOUR ENGINES"......

And before you knew it.... I WAS OFF!!!

I took eight laps around the race track -

Crossed the start/finish line - and got the checkered flag....

I then came into pit row... got out of my car and had a talk with my pit crew about how I did, what I could do better and then went out for eight more laps!!!

Here is a photo of what I call the "Cheese Shot"!! Bahahaha!!!

And once it was all said and done.... I received a printout of all my lap times and speeds!!! And what I know you are dying to know..... my top speed was...... drum roll please........

152 MILES PER HOUR

Then - as if this had not already been the MOST PERFECT day imaginable..... it was "FAN DAY" at the speedway.... and guess who I SAW........

Yep - JIMMY JOHNSON!!!! He was actually on stage as I came out of pit row from driving his #48 race car!!!!

And if that wasn't enough... I actually got to see JEFF GORDON up close and in person!!! Whooo Hoooooo!!!!!

Man - this totally was a "Bucket List" day!!!! And it is an experience that I will NEVER EVER FORGET!!!!!! (THANK YOU HUBBY!!!)

If you are a NASCAR fan - or if you or someone in your family has always dreamed of driving a race car... I can just NOT say enough good things about the "Richard Petty Driving Experience"! EVERYONE I dealt with was super nice, friendly, helpful.... they put you right at easy and each and every one of them did anything and everything that they could to make this experience the absolute best that they could!!!

So that's how my weekend went! Hope your was just as memorable! Thanks for letting me share - and I would love to hear "What's on your Bucket List?"

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusivly at Paperthreads.

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!