Race Day, Martinsville-style
A typical race day starts a lot earlier than most would even imagine. The day usually begins leaving the team hotel before the sun is out - today we left the Martinsville hotel at 5:45 AM. The teams always park down the road from the track in order to avoid the post race traffic and out as quickly as possible. This is especially important in Martinsville because it is one of only a few tracks on the NASCAR circuit that most teams drive to. Everyone in racing becomes accustomed to making the most of their time and getting back home as quickly as possible.
Once a team arrives at the track, everyone must wait outside the garage until the gate opens - today, that was 7:00 AM. And as soon as it opens, everyone immediately gets to work. The pit crew (as you can see in the pictures) begins to set up the pit box and pit area, prepare tires, glue lug nuts, etc... and most of this is still happening before the sun ever comes up.
And of course since we are in Martinsville, a day at the track would not be complete without eating one of the track's famous pink hot dogs, which many of the guys use as their breakfast.
As race time nears, there is the driver/crew chief meeting, driver introductions, then finally, the green flag will wave at 1:40 PM. AJ starts 25th.
posted by racing bull at 5:13 AM
21 Comments:
It's really hard on raceday when your used to seeing your vav. driver on Sundays, up till this year. With that said, I'll keep my head up and hope with Gibbs next year Toyota will wake up, I realize this is a starter team, but the 4 and 49 which are throw together teams are making shows and the highly funded TRB cars are sitiing at home. But another Sunday with vickers at home, I hope next year his potention in Cup fianlly comes all together. But at 1:00 I'll snap my RED Bull and watch my fix on NASCAR and hope the guys at the shop get it together. Godd luck next week 83 team, I know it will click, these next 4 races
Paul
Good luck today AJ and the entire 84 team! Go get 'em.
You'll get them next week Brian and Doug!
Did anybody ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, brian could be the second best driver at TRB? AJ's hard work is paying off and it's time to give credit where credit is due.
Sorry, though AJ is improving in oval track racing he is no way as experience as Vickers. The three races missed by the 83 in the past four weeks should not be blamed entirely on the driver. It is a team and the blame should be shared as should the success of the 84.
Why would they only run one battery? Dont most teams run two? What a day.
They did run two batteries - it was the alternator and it had to be replaced twice. And I agree that even though I am sorry when BV doesnt make it there a second team at TRB who has also struggled all year. And as this team improves every week when you come on this board all we hear about is the 83 team. I would like to say I am VERY proud of the 84 team and all you have accomplished. BV has 6 years over AJ in stock cars and oval track racing. Some seem to forget that AJ had never even sat in a stock car till this year and has no oval track experience. There is nothing to compare here. AJ and his team have done a phenominal job given the circumstances and I think that should be acknowledged. JMO
Way to hang in their AJ and the 84 Crew. HotLanta is next and I beleive that we will have two Bulls in the show next week. Way to keep gaining those much needed AJ. I believe that just locked AJ into the show next if it happened to rain for qualifing next week.
Was it an alternator again today?? How many times this year before we just go and switch alternator brands....is it something provided by Toyota? I have been really impressed by the drivers this year. When they get in the show and don't have alternator or transmission problems then we are usually the best toyotas in the field and challenging for top 10's and top 15's which is impressive for a startup team. But overall the car reliability has to improve.
Even though AJ had many troubles with the car he stuck it out and finished the race. Good for him.
Both BV and AJ will be locked in the show at Hotlanta if qualifing happened to be rained out this week. BV is currently 39th in the owner's points standing with 1,986 points and AJ is in 45th in the owners's points standing with 1,376 points. GO Gette'm RED BULL.
WE BELEIVE! 2008 SEASON will be better guys.
Qualifying time was really good!!! Expected to see this race go AJ's way. However, was disappointed when he began to have car troubles early in the race. Each race gives the entire team needed experience. Four more races, four more chances for success.
Way to hang in there Aj and the entire 84 team! Anyone know if There will be autograph sessions in Atlanta or anything else?
The blog was created to give Red Bull fans a light hearted and fun look into the world of NASCAR. If you're looking for stats and facts, go to our official team website at http://www.teamredbull.com. Sounds like what you're looking for already exists in the "features" and "races" sections.
Both drivers are scheduled to sign at the Red Bull merchandise trailer on race day. Brian at 10 AM, and AJ at 10:30 AM. In order to get an autograph, you must get a ticket on Saturday from the Red Bull merchandise trailer.
matador,
what are we supposed to do if we can't get there on Saturday for a ticket?
I was really disappointed when I arrived at the track in Martinsville to learn that the merchandise trailer for Team RedBull was not even there. It seems very difficult to even purchase merchandise to support Brian and or AJ. I have been a Brian Vickers fan since his Busch days and would really love to see him get all the credit he deserves, he is a really great driver and proves it when he makes the race. Please Red Bull help out us fans who want to support our favorite driver
Good Luck at Atlanta guyz! We know you can do it!
BRING IT ON 83 AND 84!!!
WE BELIEVE!!!
Okay in response to andrea, will the merchindise trailor be in Atlanta?
Yes, the merch trailer will be in Atlanta and both AJ & BV are scheduled to sign on Sunday. BV @ 10am, AJ @ 10:30am
Nicole83 - If you can't get to the track to pick up a ticket on Saturday, you can try stopping by the Red Bull merchandise trailer first thing on Sunday morning and there MAY still be some tickets available, or there may not. A limited quantity of tickets is given out, so it just depends on how many people pick up tickets on Saturday. Your best bet is to check in with the merchandise trailer folks on Sunday and see if there are any left.
Thanks matador& racing bull, see you at the race nicole!
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