The day my boss asked if any of us on the maintenance crew wanted to go to the Busch Series race in the summer of 2000, I think I was one of the first to get my hand in the air. I did not know much about racing then. I knew of Earnhardt and Petty, but that was about it. I had never watched a NASCAR race let alone been to one. I just wanted the day off from work. They threw the names of the people that wanted to go into a hat, and guess what, my name was drawn. I won two tickets to Michigan International Speedway. Little did I know what was in store for me?
My name is Aaron Murphy, I'm the weekly beat writer for Mid-Michigan Speedway on Saturday Nights and I'll do some roaming coverage on Friday's and Sunday's. I'll also have a column from time to time called the "Four Tire Change".
So, getting back to my MIS trip, I chose a friend to go with me and we prepared for the trip. Upon arriving at the track the hair on the back of my neck stood up. It's beautiful, I said as a lonely tear ran down my cheek. Then there was this sound, the type of sound that lives with you forever, Cup practice! I just wanted to sprint to the gate and get in, but I kept my composure. Since we were there for my company we headed over to their hospitality tent and enjoyed a good meal and a few drinks. Then it was time to go find our seats.
As luck would have it, they were GREAT seats half-way up just past the entrance to pit road, and we could see the entire track. The race was loud, fun and the smell of the racing fuel was so sweet. After the race my friend looked at me and said he just got a call from another friend, also at the track, that had a campsite in the infield. Nobody had to twist my arm to get me to stay at MIS. I do not remember all the events of that night, it was just a whirlwind. We went to a concert, to several tents and booths, and campsite after campsite. A few of them were more like little cities in the infield. For the race the next day we sat at the fence coming out of turn two and watched Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, and Dale Earnhardt battle for the lead. I was in love.
It was shortly after that trip I discovered the local racing scene at Galesburg speedway. We have spent the last 4 years there for the fourth of July. The kids have a blast, my daughter and her friend even rode around the track on one of the school buses…... Priceless.
My wife took me to Butler last season. I knew someone who was racing races there. Everyone likes a good dirt track race.
As far as type of track goes I love Mid Michigan Speedway. The banking down the back stretch allows for some all out racing. The staff is great, and the track is all about family and kids. I also find myself on most Sunday's planted in front of my television like I am driving in the race, surround sound and all. I have always wanted to drive a race car, just have never had the funds to support it. So I find myself in the stands watching all of the drivers give it everything they have got to be the first to the checkered flag.
I am ready for the start of the 2009 season and this new venture in my life. If you can't beat them, write about them.
Due to health issues I can no longer do the physical work I once loved, but racing is a passion so it only seemed logical to report about it. I became a trained weather spotter for The National Weather Service two years ago. I enjoy a good thunderstorm, but not on a race night.
So when I am done writing the results of the weekend’s races for you all to read and my wife tells me I need to rotate her tires. It will be; Four tires, no fuel, 10 second stop. A Four Tire Change.
pwm 3/24/09
