CJ's Pick Ten (Cup Cars) 2001

Ralph's Fest 2001

Note: Click on pictures for a larger/more detail picture.

Another rambling from my day at another NASCAR event.  This event was sponsored by Ralph's Food Stores, and held at Irwindale Speedway. This was the first year Ralph's has held the event at the Speedway.  This is actually the third year for Race Fest.  The first was held at California Speedway, and the second at Fairplex in Pomona.

I left work early to go to this event which was about twenty miles away from my home.My son Kyle traveled with me.  We left as soon as he got home from school, and arrived at Irwindale speedway at about 3:30p.Parking was free, and admission was free with a Ralph's Club Card (I already had one since I buy from the sponsors who make this series possible).

There were many car and picture opportunities available.  Kids were welcome, as shown here in this before picture and after picture of Kyle. The Center for Missing and Exploited Children were giving free identification and fingerprints too. Even Richard Petty showed up , uh, oh, that was his cardboard brother

Here are some of the cars and simulators around the event...

Irwindale Speedway was giving away hot laps on the track, which was sponsored by their driving school. Darn, my name wasn't called. We were able to watch the lucky guys and girls that did win!

We talked to an up and coming young driver, Dan Digiacomo , who drives here on the west coast and drives in the truck series held at Irwindale and other tracks in the area.He started driving go carts, and worked his way into formula fords. He then moved over to the trucks for more exposure. One of his sponsors is www.speedtruck.com

There were three different signing lines. Group one had Terry Labonte, Ricky Craven, Hut Stricklin, and Jason Lucas(NHRA driver, and a no show). Group two had Brett Bodine , John Andretti , Shawna Robinson (another no show), and Jay Sauter (from Busch). Group three had Matt Kenseth , Rich Bickle, and Mark Reed (Winston West). I like John Andretti and had brought a die-cast of his, so we went to the group two line.

Local radio station KFrog 95.1 was there covering the event with Forest Jump the on air personality covering the activities.

I can't wait until Sunday!!!

CJ