Track walk at Charlotte Motor Speedway Coca-Cola 600

Track walk at Charlotte Motor Speedway Coca-Cola 600
Track walk at Charlotte Motor Speedway Coca-Cola 600

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

How to meet Nascar Drivers: episode #4 - Kyle Busch PART II (and Samantha Busch!)

Meeting stock car racing drivers is easier than one might think. In fact, it's one of my top five reasons that NASCAR is my favorite sport.  Here's our SECOND encounter with one of the giants in the sport: Kyle Busch. (You can see our first encounter HERE)

Thaddeus approaches Samantha Busch for help
In November we went and picked up our camping tickets for the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway, not only did we get to take our awesome Chevy Astrovan around the track (Video HERE), but they also gave me a choice of a large diecast car. Since a Kyle Busch car was offered, I picked it out for my 6 year old son who loves the M&M driver.

Once the Coca-Cola 600 rolled around, we received pit passes from a friend, and ended up in pit road during the driver introductions for the Nationwide Series' History 300. I realized that Kyle would be coming to his car soon, so my son and I booked it down to the Monster Energy car. Pretty soon, Kyle hopped off the truck, and there was my son holding out his car and a sharpie.
Unfortunately, Kyle walked by; he needed to take some pictures with some sponsors. (This is the nice way of saying that he ignored my little guy.)  Surprisingly, my son, who is sometimes timid in these situations, brushed this off and was ready for round two. A man behind us suggested, "Why don't you go talk to his wife, she's really got a heart for the kids." (This is the third time a fan has helped us in an autograph situation!)  I pointed Mrs. Busch out to Thaddeus and he was off!  I didn't have to say another word... (He's got on the red and white M&M hat in the pictures.)

I have no idea what he said, but pretty soon Samantha Busch had my little guy by the arm and was leading him to her husband. You can see the video below, but notice that my son was totally shellshocked at the end. I later asked him what he said to Kyle, and he smiled and said, "nothing." I don't think he could get a word out!


After the race, and Kyle's win of the History 300, I sent Samantha Busch a tweet with the picture above attached, thanking her for her help, and got a response! I'm not a fan of Kyle Busch, I'm more of a Tony Stewart guy, but I tell you what, Samantha Busch has a new fan. Thanks Samantha!


After posting this blog, I got ANOTHER personal message from Samantha!  What a great ambassador of the sport. Nascar (and Kyle) are blessed to have her...