January 22, 2009
Big news in the world of Jane W. and NASCAR.� My employer�Armando Fitz has sold his race team and the new name is Trail Motorsport.� This was nothing new to me but BIG news�in the racing industry.� Here is an article that was written after our press conference on Wednesday.
�http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=hinton_ed&id=3850027
I would also encourage you to check out our team website.� Our mission is to have the fans as our first and most important sponsor.� We are going to be fan oriented and try to provide our team members (fans) unprecedented access to the world of racing.� One of my focuses at work will be� “fan management”.� I am really looking forward to this!!!� Please join the TM�Team.
www.trailmsport.com
January 12, 2009
Hope everyone is recovered from the Holidays.� I had a great time while I was visiting everyone at home but I certainly was happy to get back to my not so glamorous life and not be over eating and over drinking every day.� All in all thought it was great vacation and I am grateful for everyone I got to spend time with.
So as many of you may know on January 05, 2009 I started my new job with Fitz Motorsports.� My position with the company is on well defined but right now I am acting as the human resource department processing all the paper work for the new 2009 team they are putting together.� I am also helping the travel arrangement for the up coming season.� However, everyday there is a new challenge that has to be dealt with and I find my role with the company expanding!� I like it though.� Never really sure what the day is going to bring and it certainly is a great learning experience for me.� I have found all of my coworkers to be really great.� The core group of office/mgt staff all get a long really well!� The coworker I have most contact with is Liz.� She is just fabulous and we get along great.� If you thought I was high energy…wait until you meet her!� On our first day they said Liz and I would be sharing an office.� It seemed a little odd as we have so many open offices.� However when I saw the office we were getting….I had not problems sharing.� It is a huge office located right at the front of the building.� 3 sides of the office is complete windows.� We have a great view and it is totally cool space.� The only down side is I have to make sure that no one is entering the building when I decide to pick the food out of my teeth after lunch.� Other than that this is the best office space I’ve ever occupied. ��
December 12, 2008
Thank you very much if you are reading this journal posting.� It means that you have probably checked the site many times to find that I had not posted anything for quite some time.� In mid November I finished up with my work at the Jeff Gordon Racing School and I am now looking for my next big gig.� I am now working a seasonal job at a local department store.� I work at the fragrance counter.� It’s pretty fun work, the people are nice and the schedule allows me to continue job hunting.� I have many irons in the fire, some are mildly hot and other are just warm but everyday I try to stick a new one in there.� I am confident that I fill find the right opportunity for me, it just takes patients (lots of patients).
I really have not written because I felt that I did not have much to report and that was because professionally things are moving at a snails pace.� It’s not good or bad, it’s just how it is.� However, personally things are just great.� I told someone yesterday that professionally this is about the lowest point I have ever been at in my working life but personally I am doing quite well.� �I feel that I have really grown as in individual since I moved to Mooresville.� Surviving in a city where you know, no one, really makes a person go outside their “comfort zone”.� I am grateful for the opportunity I have been provided to really expand my horizons.� It’s a great felling to know that when required you can step up to the plate and do what is required.� It has been a real boost in my confidence level that things greater that I ever could have imagined can be accomplished.�
Jokingly I told a friend today that having to take a seasonal job at department store while pursing my “dream job” and�earing not�much more that minimum wage (which I don’t even really now what it is, but I do know you can’t survive very long on it) will make for some good drama in my memoirs.� �I consider this my “paying my dues” time.
I FINALLY DID IT!!!!!!!� I drove a real NASCAR race car.� What an experience it was.� I was not nearly as nervous as I thought I might be.��I was only slightly nervous because I had to drive in front of all my peers.� I knew all the guys I work with would be watching to see how well I did.� I did not care about how fast I went but was more concerned with be a "good" driving and following as I should.� My instructor said I did really well, in fact he said "You did better than I thought you would".�� He apparently did not think I was the race car driving type.� I was really quite proud of myself.� My top speed on my drive was 140 mph.� It was really amazing and I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to do it.� I would recommend it to anyone!!!!
October 29, 2008
So, I hear that all of you in Wisconsin got a little snow.� Well, I never thought I would be saying this – but we also got snow yesterday.� Not here in Mooresville but in the mountains.� I had off work yesterday and went on a “date” to see fall colors up in the mountains.� When we arrived at our first destination, of Blowing Rock, NC it was snowing.� I could hardly believe it…we were here to see the fall colors and it was snowing!� And I’m not talking a flurry here or there, it was snowing pretty good.� It was actually pretty cool to see the trees that had turned colors and then also to see snow on the mountain. ���What a great day!
October 26, 2008
So, last weekend I was asked to do some volunteer work for an organization here in Mooresville called WAM (women auxiliary of motor sports).� Sounded like a great opportunity to do some networking so I agreed to volunteer.� Really had no idea what I would be doing.� I knew that I had been recommended for the work because I have experience driving a 15 passenger van but had not idea what I would be doing.� It turns out that I was needed to pick up all the performers for the benefit concert they were having.� Basically I picked them up at the airport and took them to the hotel, then would shuffle them back and forth from the hotel to the venue.� The headline band for the show was Rick Springfield.� His tour manager requested that once they were picked up at the airport that they have a person specifically assigned to take Rick and the band around.� I was asked to handle that!!!!� I was to take them where ever they wanted to go.� After the group was done with their sound check they wanted to go to dinner.� Rick had seen a billboard for a Japanese restaurant on the way to the venue and asked if I could take them there.� Turns out the restaurant was right across the street from the hotel.� So off to the restaurant we go…me and the band.� Up to this point I really had not had much conversation with them but once we got to restaurant we started chatting it up and where having a great time.� Apparently the boys like playing practical jokes and I turned out to be there next victim.� In a nutshell they told the waitstaff that we were out to dinner to celebrate the pregnancy of myself their bass guitar player Goerge.� So at the end of dinner they brought out a cake with a candle in and they sang a song for us.� It was quite a production and it got the attention of a lot of the people in the restaurant. The guys thoughts this was so funny, I guess I did!� Other performers that I met that weekend were, John Waite, Eddie Money and Lou Gramm.� It really was a fun gig and I’m happy I was asked to help.
October 16, 2008
Please note that I have added new pictures to my site.� These are pictures from the race this past weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.� Not all of you may be aware but “back in the day” when my girl Koreen and I would go to country music concerts together…..she and I seem to have the knack to get back stage and into areas not everyone is allowed to go.� Well, it seems I have found myself another partner in crime.� His name is Danny and he is standing in the picture next to the Bud pit box.� On Saturday morning of the race we had to be at work quite early and frankly there was nothing to do so we decided to a little spelunking.� With a golf cart, a woman driving and a guy that looks like he could be a race car driver it’s amazing where security will let you go.� I don’t have time right now to go into all the details….but will fill you in later.� All I will say is that it’s about the most fun I have had since I was down here!!!� If laughter is good therapy, Danny and I are going to be on the happy trail for a while.
October 10, 2008
Well, the big traveling gig at JGRS has come to an end.� Our final traveling date was to�Kentucky Motor Speedway.� It will resume again in January 2009 with a trip to Miami.� There are still dates to work here in Concord but no more traveling.� When I started traveling with the racing school the work was a little (a lot) crazy and I was not sure how I was going to make it thru.� Now that I have survived the whole season I do have to say it was a great experience.� I found my grove and really started having fun with my job after about the first month.� The days were long and the weather was hot but it also had some great benefits.� One of those being, the people that I worked with.� I have really meet some great folks and over the summer had made some new friends which is something that is really important when you move to a city where you do not know anyone.� I have really become comfortable going out and entertaining myself but it is much better to know you can pick up the phone and call a friend when you can’t figure out what it is you want to do.� I am grateful for the opportunity to have met so many great.� Everyone comes with a different perspective and life experiences, which, when you get to know, them can really broaden your own horizons.�
October 09, 2008
Does anyone have something in there life that they do quite often that you just wish you could get over.� Something that is embarrassing and you just wish you could figure out stop doing.� Well I am going to share with that I have a serious problem with my coffee pot. I swear, at least once a week, I DO NOT put the pot back on and before you know it I have coffee everywhere.� Today was an exceptionally bad day, I did it twice.�If anyone has suggestions for this dysfunction…..please share.
October 8, 2008
As some of you may or may not know this weekend the NASCAR race is at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord.� Last Wednesday as I headed to work at JGRS to leave for Kentucky� the signs that�of the big race�were are ready starting.� It wasn’t the presence of NASCSR haulers or more people….but Porta Potties.� They were everywhere, in all the fields as far as you could see around the track.� What a crazy site….Pottie after Pottie!� When I returned to town late on Sunday night the campers had all ready started rolling in.� One group of campers had a full blown party going still at 3 am Monday Morning.� I just love to see that kind of enthusiasm.� This “race week” as I will call it because people come for the whole week….not just the weekend is going to be busy.� I have to work a promo event at the track for JGRS on Thurs, Friday and Sat and then there is racing to watch.� Thursday the World of Outlaws are at the dirt track,�Thursday is qualifying,�Friday is the Nationwide race and Saturday is the cup race.� Many just typing that is making my tired, but it should be a fun filled week.
September 27, 2008
Wow…a couple of weeks ago we were saying what happened to gas prices. They just went up up up.� Here in NC the highest I saw was about $ 4.29.� Now they have come down to about $ 3.99 to $ 4.19 - but we have no gas.� Yes, I said no gas.� I’m not sure what is happening!� There is not much on the news and when I ask other people no one really seems to know.� Yesterday there were only 2 stations in Mooresville that had gas.� For those who do not know Mooresville is about twice the size of Wausau.� It’s really crazy, only 2 stations with gas.� The lines at stations have been causing traffic jams all over the city.� It was a really scary thought yesterday when I was driving to work that the gas I had in my tank was all I might for a while.� And to think I was wasting that gas on going to work….I did hear on the radio this morning that we are expecting some gas soon!�
September 22, 2008
Something I have found interesting since I moved to NC is the way they serve beverages at restaurants here.� You certainly never go thirsty.� They are continually bringing you something to drink.� Usually they don’t just refill your glass they will bring you another beverage before you have finished the one you have.� I have never had to ask for a refill at a restaurant.� It is also common place to ask for a drink to go.� Sometimes you don’t even have to ask.� Yesterday when I was out for breakfast, the waitress brought a cup of coffee to go with my check.� They will give everyone a soda or tea in a to go cup!� I would be curious to know from Renee if fountain soda drink sales are much higher in the south than in the north?!?
It’s been a while but the other day I had a “famous person” sighting.� Last Monday, I stopped to grab a little dinner at Taco Bell. �As I was walking across the parking lot I was digging in my purse to make sure I had enough money for dinner and trying to decide is I had to order off the $ 1.00 menu or could get something from the regular menu.� As I approached the building I looked up to avoid tripping on the side walk and who was standing there!!!!� Greg Biffle.� I said well hello and he said well hello….he held the door open while I walked in.� I’m a little disappointed in myself that I could not come up with a little more to say to him.� Like perhaps, congratulations on your big win yesterday!!!� Oh, well…maybe next time I will have my act together.
September 10, 2008
This week the new Z Max dragstrip next to Lowe’s Motor Speedway is opening.� Last night they had a VIP party there.� Apparently anybody who is somebody in the racing industry was there.� The guests who attended were able to take their personal cars and race them on the drag strip.� We saw everything from Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghini to a Jeef Cherokee.� Oh yah, and a Ford F150.� There were several NASCAR drivers out at the event.� We saw Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne driving there cars. �It was a pretty neat event to watch.� Now, I’m not quite considered a VIP on the local scene here….. so how I go invited?� I just happened to have worked last weekend with a guy that works over at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and he invited me to go.�
Talladega Alabama was the next port for of call for the Jeff Gordon Racing School.� We left Concord about 12:30 and arrived in Talladega about 8 pm.� It was a little late to go to the race track so we went directly to the hotel.� Arriving at the hotel is usually pretty uneventful.� Well not this time.� At first glance it looked like a scene from Animal House.� Most of the doors on the hotel rooms were open, people had had chairs outside and were hanging out on the balcony and there were kids every where.� When I got to my room there was a 2 year in his diaper outside playing with a paper plate and a very large black bug!!!!� Come to find out that the hotel was housing people who had been evacuated from the hurricanes in Louisiana.� When we returned from the track on Thursday everyone was gone.� They must have been cleared to return home.�
September 3, 2008
As some of you know I have had an issue with my upper lip being numb.� After lots of testing my neurologist was not able to come up with anything that would be causing the problem, but did find�I was in great health.� The situation still purists so I decided to address the issue again.� This time I decided to see an acupuncturist.� I will start off by saying it does not hurt when they insert the needles.� It’s actually quite a relaxing experience.� So far the treatments have not relieved the numbness but I have found it extremely interesting to find out more about Traditional Chinese Medicine.� They have a very different philosophy from western medicine, in a nut shell they believe in bringing balance, harmony and well-being to individuals.� The symptoms we present – such as my numbness – they believe is due to an imbalance in my body.� Thru acupuncture, diet, exercise and meditation they believe you can strengthen what is deficient and disperse what is in excess in your body.�
September 1, 2008
Boy, I don’t know where time goes some times.� It seems like just a few days ago I was on a plan headed back to Athens for the fair.� But now as it sit down to realize that ��I have not written for over 2 weeks.� I guess time fly’s when you are having fun.� �The road show just returned from 3 days in Atlanta.� It was a great trip.� We had good weather….I think we were there between hurricanes so we did not get any bad weather.� Prior to leaving we did have some serious weather here in NC.� We got so much rain that there were some seriously flooding problems. �In some areas roads and bridges were completely washed out.� �One morning on my way to work the radio announcers were telling people to treat this like a bad snow day…if you don’t have to out it would be best to stay home.� �There were roads closed all over the area.� Looks like we are in the path of Hurricane Hannah coming next week.� I will be leaving for Talladega Alabama on Wednesday, could make for� along 4 days there!
August 13, 2008
Next on the traveling schedule was Richmond Virginia.� What a great trip only 4 hours!!!� It was a prefect weekend in Richmond.� The weather was beautiful, our capacities at the school were reasonable; it was just an all around good time.� Friday night “the guys” wanted to go cart racing.� I opted to go, my work partner decided to stay back at the hotel.� Shannon’s first trip with the school was Iowa.� She’s a great gal but life on the road had not been good for her – particularly concerning her bowels, if you get what I mean.� So she decided to stay in that night and take a little medicine to try and relieve herself.� The last trip she tried exlax, this time it was a 6 pack of bud light.� So we arrive at the go track – it is an indoor facility.� When we get in side and I take a look I realize this is not “mini golf” type go cart place, this is serious!� The first round my goal was just to hang in there, not embarrass myself and certainly not to sustain any major industries.� I did not do too bad my first round, although most of it was a complete blur because I just held the gas down and tried as hard as I could to make every turn.� After some advice from my coworkers on how to navigate the track I improved significantly, I even passed one of the boys.� It was really a blast but by the time we were finished with the 3rd round my arms were wasted.� I don’t think I could have gone again, thankfully it was late and we needed to head back to the hotel.� The road show is on a break now for 2 weeks.� JGRS has offered me work in the office to keep me employed fulltime while we are not traveling.� I don’t to anything very exciting.� I’m kind of the odd jobs gal, but works work right now.� I did follow up with the Cabarrus County Visitors Bureau and they are still 30 – 60 days out on make a decision.� While I what to hear more about that job I will continue at JGRS.� They are two more traveling dates this month, Atlanta and Talladega.� I have been to Atlanta before and Talladega should be interesting.
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August 6, 2008
Newton Iowa???� I had never heard of it either.� But it was the next stop on the road tour.� It’s actually a town of about 15,000.00 about 30 minutes outside of Des Moines and is home to Iowa Speedway.� It’s a track that was designed by Rusty Wallace several years ago.� Friday was a pretty good day at the track, not too hectic so the gang decided to head out for some entertainment.� After some pretty intense discussions it was decided we would go bowling!� Newton has a nice 12 lane AMF bowling alley.� I, believe it or not, was the high bowler for the first game.� Things went down hill after that.� It’s not that I got worse, it’s just that everyone else got better.� The trip to Iowa was one of the longest I had been on.� Typically it would have been a 17 hour trip, but on the way up out box truck was having mechanical problems so that put us behind schedule.� It took us about 20 hrs to get to the hotel.� Things did not get better on the ride home.� We came across traffic that was at a complete stand still.� There we sat for over 2 hours.� So once again another 20 hour trip.�
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