| LIVE UPDATES IRL SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP RACE HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY October 9-10, 2009 |
11:00 AM
Hot, hot, hot day here in southern Florida - temps hovering around 90 degrees, with about 90 percent humidity.
This is even hot by Florida's standards! But I'd much rather have this weather than the cold and rainy stuff
happening elsewhere!
The IRL title contenders did not waste any time during this morning's first practice, lining up 1-2-3 on the speed
chart - Dixon, Briscoe and Franchitti.
Sitting in a brand new magnificent two-story media center here at Homestead-Miami Speedway - much needed
after working in the cramped quarters (and/or a tent) the track used for years.
Sarah Fisher, who was an impressive 9th during this morning's practice, is set to announce her 2010 plans,
which will include the addition of a second car to her team, at a press conference this afternoon. She is really
assembling a top-notch effort as team owner of a relatively new team, expanding only when she can do it right!
"Grey's Anatomy" actor Patrick Dempsey is here this weekend racing in the Grand-Am Series. He's also the
co-owner of the IRL's Vision Racing Team.
Had a challenging morning getting to the track today. Woke up really early, as I wanted to get to the track before
any on-track action, and knew I had a bit of a drive to make from Miami, plus I had to pick up a parking
credential. Left Miami at 6:30 AM, and wasted the first half hour trying to get pointed in the right directions after
being given wrong directions. Once on the Fla. turnpike, got immediately involved in a loooooong traffic jam
because of an accident. Finally got to the track (somehow), and was given "worker" parking because there was
no infield parking due to the Grand-Am race - no big deal, they said, as a tram would come by and pick me up
and take me to the infield. Parked and waited for an hour for a tram. One pulled up about 100 feet from me and
just sat there. After about 15 minutes, I approached the driver only to find him sleeping. He asked where I
needed to go, and I told him the infield media center, and hopped on. He took off toward the tunnel, but - as I
was reading something on my BlackBerry, he went right by it and drove to the outside of the
frontstretch...completely in the opposite direction of where I needed to go. I asked the driver again if he was
planning on taking me to the media center, and he told me that he does not go into the infield, but he'll take me
to another tram that would. I was stuck far away from where I needed to go, so I had to stay put. We were about
ready to leave to take me to the other tram when a worker got on and asked the driver to wait 10 minutes for his
dad, who was running to catch the tram. He obliged, and I fumed. The tram finally started moving, and went
right past the location where I had waited an hour, and back to the credential office, which is where first went
upon arriving into the track. The driver took pity on me and hailed me a guest services golf cart, which finally
took me into the infield. I don't think I've ever had such a complicated time getting to the media center at any
race track!
Hot, hot, hot day here in southern Florida - temps hovering around 90 degrees, with about 90 percent humidity.
This is even hot by Florida's standards! But I'd much rather have this weather than the cold and rainy stuff
happening elsewhere!
The IRL title contenders did not waste any time during this morning's first practice, lining up 1-2-3 on the speed
chart - Dixon, Briscoe and Franchitti.
Sitting in a brand new magnificent two-story media center here at Homestead-Miami Speedway - much needed
after working in the cramped quarters (and/or a tent) the track used for years.
Sarah Fisher, who was an impressive 9th during this morning's practice, is set to announce her 2010 plans,
which will include the addition of a second car to her team, at a press conference this afternoon. She is really
assembling a top-notch effort as team owner of a relatively new team, expanding only when she can do it right!
"Grey's Anatomy" actor Patrick Dempsey is here this weekend racing in the Grand-Am Series. He's also the
co-owner of the IRL's Vision Racing Team.
Had a challenging morning getting to the track today. Woke up really early, as I wanted to get to the track before
any on-track action, and knew I had a bit of a drive to make from Miami, plus I had to pick up a parking
credential. Left Miami at 6:30 AM, and wasted the first half hour trying to get pointed in the right directions after
being given wrong directions. Once on the Fla. turnpike, got immediately involved in a loooooong traffic jam
because of an accident. Finally got to the track (somehow), and was given "worker" parking because there was
no infield parking due to the Grand-Am race - no big deal, they said, as a tram would come by and pick me up
and take me to the infield. Parked and waited for an hour for a tram. One pulled up about 100 feet from me and
just sat there. After about 15 minutes, I approached the driver only to find him sleeping. He asked where I
needed to go, and I told him the infield media center, and hopped on. He took off toward the tunnel, but - as I
was reading something on my BlackBerry, he went right by it and drove to the outside of the
frontstretch...completely in the opposite direction of where I needed to go. I asked the driver again if he was
planning on taking me to the media center, and he told me that he does not go into the infield, but he'll take me
to another tram that would. I was stuck far away from where I needed to go, so I had to stay put. We were about
ready to leave to take me to the other tram when a worker got on and asked the driver to wait 10 minutes for his
dad, who was running to catch the tram. He obliged, and I fumed. The tram finally started moving, and went
right past the location where I had waited an hour, and back to the credential office, which is where first went
upon arriving into the track. The driver took pity on me and hailed me a guest services golf cart, which finally
took me into the infield. I don't think I've ever had such a complicated time getting to the media center at any
race track!
| FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2009 |