Azucena was able to snag a "life altering" opportunity called "Wave the Green Flag Experience" from Bank of America with her NASCAR Points(by the way, even though this is normally worth 500,000 points, we only needed 150,000 for this one time offer!!! O M G). You see, we've used the NASCAR credit card for several years now, getting NASCAR points with each purchase. All large purchases including house renovations, animals, HEB and anything she bought went on the card.
Originally her goal was to get two garage passes at the value of 150,000 points. Oh, the race is in Charlotte on October 11th at 7:25pm. The race is called... Bank of America 500.
Anyway, Monday she gets an email from the credit card company with a one time offer, first come first serve, only 1 opportunity available. Like putting 100,000 names in a hat and only one can be drawn. We deliberated for about 2 minutes (mostly if I would be able to take off, which being close to our Annual Conference, is questionable). I gave the ok, she called, they said Congratulations.
We get to wave the green flag, have access to the stage where drivers are introduced, Garage/Pit passes and a "gourmet" meal in the club suites, plus they'll try to get us a meeting with Jeff Gordon and his crew. They mentioned wanting to take our pictures and maybe video tape us(I guess they plan on turning us into celebrities).
Even though Azucena is the winner, instead of trying to meet her driver Brian Vickers, she opted to try to meet with Jeff Gordon and his crew, since he's so hard to track down. As a concession, I'll have to wear the Brian Vickers coat when I wave the green flag (Yes, she turned it down and said I had to do it. S'Okay wid me).
To give you an idea on how much it would normally cost us, Pit passes run about $100. Club suites and food run at least $550. Waving the Flag and Driver Intro are truly priceless since they don't sell these "events".
It's not totally free for us. If this was Texas Motor Speedway, it'd be easy. Drive, camp and have fun. But this is Charlotte. We fly, rent and have fun. All for about $800 more than it would be if it were Texas. Plus, now she's talking about renting a motor home and staying at the track instead of a hotel. But we'd be at the track, where if we stayed at a hotel, we'd have to drive back and forth and miss other opportunities. Hmmmm. Donations anyone? Update: RV's are already sold out, so we are "stuck" with the hotel scenario.
Oh, I almost forgot. Azucena will be in the pre race pace car. This either leads the drivers to the podium, or after their introduction. I don't know which is more cool, waving the flag, or riding in the pace car. Only the flag waving can get you in a whole lot of trouble if you drop the flag. I think Richard Petty lost his hat when he waved the flag at Daytona 500 this year. And no, we don't get to tell the drivers to start their engines - That's another winner altogether.
We'll, I guess you could say it is official. Here is the press release for the Bank of America 500 that Azucena and I will be attending: http://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=8256 Nothing new has happened over the last few days. But in case I haven't mentioned it, we may be fitted with shirts, coats and hats, more than likely Bank of America 500 version. That's cool. It's a shame we aren't driving there because we'd be able to take more stuff (camping stuff) and bring more stuff back (Brian Vickers coat). But we'll do. Maybe take an empty luggage for extras. Don't forget, October 11th at 7:25pm (http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/superspeedway/bank_of_america_500/). Ohh ohh, Jessica Simpson will be singing. I wonder if Tony Romo will be there too.
Ok, so we've been experiencing the Green Flag phenomenon for a few weeks now. Here's where we stand:
We are renting a pull-behind and staying on the racetrack campgrounds. Much easier for us to get to the events we've been invited to.
Call from NASCAR and a marketing agency. Both said we will stay busy the whole time we are there. Gosh, we are becoming stars before we get there (Azucena has sent them a short bio on each of us and if they don't watch out, she'll hit them up for a Medical Mission contribution.).
Possibility to visit Mooresville, NC to see the headquarters of Hendrick (Jeff Gordon) and Red Bull (Brian Vickers). This is where they build their cars.
Chance to watch the race from the pit stalls (very noisy, very into the race), or from the infield suite. Maybe a bit of both. Ohhh, up close, smell the fumes/rubber.
She's doing the pre-race pace car (still unsure when that will happen), I'm doing the flag waving. Rumor has it that NO ONE has yet to drop the flag, although the most famous of all NASCAR had his ten gallon fly off.
Garage and pit passes and near the driver introduction. I'd better make sure to take the souvenir jersey I've been getting the drivers to sign. Wouldn't want to miss out on that.
We planned on going to the Nationwide race, so they are covering those tickets as well as the Sprint Cup tickets.
Azucena truly has quick hands since we were the first of around 20 to call in for this deal that went to all credit card holders (notified in their monthly email statement). She has guts. I don't sign up for monthly email statements and I'm not sure why she did, but I'm glad she did.