This entry, the fifth in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read all posts here.
Our first morning in Pocono was an early one, as we headed out to the racetrack at 6:30 a.m. After picking up our credentials from NASCAR, we headed into the garage where the DeWALT team was beginning the vehicle inspection process. Justin, Matt and Mark jumped in to help, pushing the race car, installing bodywork, hauling the inspection toolbox and carrying the car cover as the No. 17 Ford made its way through numerous inspection stations.
Following the inspection, the team put the guys to work in the garage, having them lend a hand as they set-up the No. 17 Ford’s suspension, exhaust and other elements for practice. Later, a reporter from USA Today came over to the garage to interview Justin, Matt and their instructor Mark as well as crew chief Drew Blickensderfer about the unique job shadowing experience they’ve had this week. Check out the article on
USAToday.com.
Right after the USA Today reporter left, a writer from the local newspaper—the Pocono Record—came by to also chat with the winners about their experience. Read that article at
PoconoRecord.com.
It was extremely overcast at the racetrack, and at times a foggy haze fell upon the garage area making it difficult to see from one end of the track to other. With the weather forecast calling for 100 percent chance of rain, it was a race against the weather to see if the teams would have a chance to take to the track for practice or qualifying. Surprisingly, the weather held out long enough for the Sprint Cup Series cars to start the practice session, but shortly thereafter the wind began to gust—almost causing several of the teams’ pop-up tents to take flight—and the rain began to pour cutting practice short.
As we took shelter under the race haulers overhang, SPEED Channel came by to do a live television interview with Drew Blickensderfer about the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills program and the extra help he had for this week’s race. Just after the interview, Tim Lambert with Penske Racing Shocks came by the hauler. He said he heard the 2009 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills winners were going to be at the race, and he wanted to come by to meet them. Tim represented Pennsylvania in the 1996 National Finals and finished second place. He chatted with the guys about his experience competing in Auto Skills and what he does now in auto racing. He also said there are several Auto Skills alumni in the garage, including someone with Goodyear and Richard Childress Racing.
As the rain continued to fall, it became increasingly evident the track would not dry out in time for qualifying. Drew Blickensderfer gave the team the orders to begin switching the car from qualifying setup to race setup, and not much later the official announcement came across the garage PA system declaring qualifying canceled. The cars will be gridded according to the rulebook—which means Matt Kenseth will start the No. 17 DeWALT Ford in 12th—his current position in the point standings. The guys were able to assist the team as they worked to change the car’s setup, and wrapped up their work shortly before 5 p.m., when the garage officially closed. We headed back to the hotel to try to dry out—as we were all completely soaked from the rain despite the best efforts of our umbrellas and rain coats.
