Well, Jimmy got 47 laps in but he’s done. I don’t have any information on why but he’s out. That’s tough but it gives me a good excuse to pack up and leave early and beat the crowd out. At least while the car was running it looked good!

It is one of the most famous sayings in sports, “Gentlemen, (and ladies now), start your engines.”

I know there’s no way I could fit inside this thing. This is what Jimmy Kite will be holding onto for dear life at 220 or more mph in just a few minutes from now!

Before the race gets started the pit crew has to practice their tire changing. They changed tires several times before they felt like they were ready.

This is what Jimmy Kite hopes no one sees in their rear view mirror at the end of the race.

The garage area is inside the track and it’s here that all the last-minute work is done on the cars. Some cars are already being wheeled out and some are still in pieces as they fine tune the engines.

Here’s something you don’t see everyday. I went to church yesterday not knowing that there’s a racing ministry that arranges on-site services here in the conference center on Sunday morning. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a priest with a b&w checkered stole!

The pit area was pretty quiet early except for crew members like these who are out prepping their equipment and getting ready for the big event.

It’s early at the track but eventhough I left my hotel at 5:20am it still took me an 1 1/2 hours to get here. I guess multiple marching bands for entertainment on the track is a tradition. This Navy band from Illinois was the first in a long line of bands that are still marching out here.