There is no doubt that the Charlotte, North Carolina region is the heart of NASCAR country. Knowing that, the Hardcore Race Fan family of Dean, Betty Lou, Sean and Casey Grob made the trek to Race Country U.S.A. all the way from New Jersey. These long time family friends were headed to this weekend’s race in Bristol, but decided to stop off in the Queen City to see the home of NASCAR stock car country.

Serving as tour guide, the day started off with a trip to Hendrick Motor Sports where we first hit the redesigned gift shop and museum. With five sections, the facility focused on the four current drivers and the twenty-five year history of Mr. Hendrick’s operation. After a long wait in the merchandise line for these Hendrick fans, we headed to the shops of the No. 24 & 48 and then the No. 5 & 88. Rushing to the door, Dean told his sons, “Boys, be prepared to step into hallowed ground.”

Walking into Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson’s shop, we were impressed with the trophies on the wall and the Grobs were looking for an inside view into Hendrick Motor Sports. Heading into the main viewing area of the shop we walked upon a crew member addressing a Boys & Girls Club lunch. When the rest of the crew members returned from lunch we met with Clay Robinson, front tire changer on Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet.

Explaining the intricacies of his responsibilities as a tire changer, Robinson told us how he got his start as a tire changer for Ricky Craven nearly eleven years ago. Skipping over the Busch (now Nationwide) Series, Clay tried out for a Cup team with two other guys and has been changing tires at the top level ever since. Talking with Dean, Sean, Casey and I, Clay made these fans a part of his real world. Celebrities and heroes on television across the country, these are real men and women that are a part of NASCAR teams can relate to everyone around this great nation.

Soon after another trip to Martin and Junior’s shop, we made our way to Roush Fenway Racing just up the road. Looking on the mass of cars in front of the viewing window, we noticed the office of Robbie Reiser, general manager of the team. In the next office, young Casey eavesdropped  on a Roush official trying to get in touch with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya. After an unsuccessful attempt and a call back from one of Montoya’s representatives, Casey hoped to overhear Montoya’s cell phone number.

From there we moved on to lunch in Concord, N.C. where we talked old races we had attended and the memories we had. Talking with these old friends, they asked about different drivers I have interviewed as I asked about the races they had seen. Enjoying the company we set our sights on the final stop of the day, Stewart-Haas Racing.

After a trip through the country, we headed to the shop of NASCAR’s top-dog this year. Meeting Hendrick engine specialist Jay Noland at the door, these Hardcore Race Fans got a firsthand view of the points leader’s facility. Responsible for Ryan Newman’s engines each weekend, this NASCAR Tech. graduate showed us around one of the most successful shops in all of NASCAR.

Taking us behind the scenes, Noland provided an experience of a lifetime for these race fans. Exploring all but a few spaces of this top-notch facility, Casey – the young Tony Stewart fan – was on cloud nine. Walking through rooms with cars of all stages, seeing Newman’s crew chief Tony Gibson riding his motorcycle, walking through the No. 39 hauler – fully prepped for the weekend – and standing next to Stewart’s car that he will be racing this weekend left these fans nearly speechless.  Leaving the shop, Casey looked for Stewart’s Cadillac, but jumped at the chance for an autograph from Matt Borland.

Headed home for a cookout, we reflected on the day we had and looked forward to a night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the encore presentation of the Summer Shootout Series with my neighbor James. Taking our seats late in the night we got to enjoy the crowd and the racing at one of NASCAR’s finest facilities. The night marked a special event for this writer, as I was able to take my young daughter to her first official race.

Splitting our ways from the speedway, this Hardcore Race Fan family stored their memories and focused their sights on the Bristol Motor Speedway. Headed to the Mecca of Motorsports, they talked of double-file restarts and progressive banking, expecting a great show and even better racing.

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