2016 marks the beginning of my adventure with Star Coach Race Tours as their Field Activities Coordinator. I will be posting pictures and experiences throughout the year in hopes of capturing the more interesting moments of my 2016 NASCAR adventure. My love of NASCAR dates way back to my days in Towanda, Pa., where we would hassle the bread guy at the local mini mart for tickets to the races at Wa
tkins Glen. This was back in the late 70's and early 80's when one ticket was good enough to get one person through the gate and 11 more under the fence. I still remember his gravel voice every time he called the name of his favorite driver, "Earnhardt!"
There have been many experiences between then and now where I've seen races from the stands and even from the luxury suites at Charlotte as a guest of RBC Centura, back when they ran what is now PNC Banks. The adventure with Star Coach began a few years ago when Gina and I booked a race with Joel at Kentucky Motor Speedway for June, 2014. We stayed with Joel and his crew against the infield fence coming out of turn two in the "Faith" motorcoach. Faith refers to Faith Hill, who once owned that particular coach in her earlier touring days. The experience was unmatched in my NASCAR experience. We stayed with him in the infield from Wednesday through the end of the Sprint race that weekend, watching all the practice sessions and all three races (Truck, Nationwide (Xfinity) and Sprint Cup). Following that stay we booked another for Watkins Glen in 2015 almost immediately. In August of 2014, I visited Joel again at Richmond Motor Speedway with a few of my coworkers and saw his set up and hospitality there while enjoying the race as a guest of Gamestop and Matt Kenseth's #20 Nationwide team. This was my second Hot Pass from Gamestop, the first was as a guest of Joey Logano. Joel again impressed with am amazing location above turn three and the addition of custom golf carts which we would be sure to use at the Glen. When we got to see Joel the following year at Watkins Glen there were some changes in the crew. Joel and I began discussing some of the challenges he was having with his talent and team and again, enjoyed an amazing week at the track. On October 15, 2015, I contacted Joel about my interest in joining his team which lead to a stay in Martinsville that same month. At Martinsville I worked alongside his team from set up to tear down and got a taste of the duties and responsibilities that go along with the experience I have had as a guest. Joel and I began discussions about possbily joining his team for the 2016 season and firmed up our plans shortly after Thanksgiving. In December I joined SAGE's professional driving school and got my CDL as a prerequisite for joining up with Star Coach Race Tours and began my plans of sharing this adventure with all of you. I hope you enjoy what you find on this page and I'll look forward to seeing you out at the track.