"Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Well we should be there by about 6 or so! Of course we didn't get away quite as early as we thought we would today, but at least we are almost there! We have had good weather all the way up, but there is a severe thunderstorm warning just west of here now. Looks like we may get a little weather at the track tonight and tomorrow. More after we get there.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

hope you all have a good thruesday we'll see you friday be at track when they open spec. side ALL BE SAFE AND DRY

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Best of luck in Joliet Larry and Patsy!

Dennis Breeden

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Thanks!

We got here! # 82 People arriving steadily!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

We are in the only handicapped parking area in the rest area about 50 miles south of Effingham. Glad I brought that card. 700 miles today, 225 to the turnoff at Manhatten and then to the track. Kevin is in the 50's up there. Myself, wife, dog 1, dog 2, beer 4, and so it goes. See yall tomorrow.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Jeff come on up to Exit 327 to get off, then straight road all the way over to Route 53. Looking forward to seeing you and Carolyn tomorrow!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Watch your speed on the rt 53 road.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

well we made it thru the night without any rain or thunderstorms, but it is looking very rainy at the moment. They should be starting to move us in very shortly. I thought they might start earlier since it is calling for rain all day, but it doesn't look like they are. It was very quiet out here in line all night with a nice breeze so you didn't have to run the AC. We have tech today after we get in and parked, so I will try to get some pics then. It was great to see Mike and Paula Cotten last night. Paula is sporting a whole new look this year! She looks great!

More later. It really doesn't look like a whole lot of people arrived during the night unless they put them somewhere else.

Oh, BTW, be sure and come in on Laraway Road. It is marked out on Route 53 for the Racers with arrows, but in case the sign has blown down, come on in on Laraway. That is at the light.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Glad you got the spot. But If you are ever in the area again and need a place to stay the night just let me know. You were only a few miles from me and there is always plenty of room here for a trucks and trailers for guys that dont want to stay in the rest area or Mt Vernon Truck stops.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

We are moving and it is raining and thundering!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

I live about 30-40 miles straight north of the track--- We have had over FIVE inches of rain since about 11PM last nite and it is still pouring here. Lotsa flooding of low areas,some roads basements etc.&water just standing---we have had a years worth of rain so far in only 6 months---still have another 6 to go-- POWER went out about 4AM its now about 10 AM-fortunately I live in a high area otherwise we might have problems but no so for others---looks like rain @ the track all Thurs part of Fri and on into Sat too--- hope for all the racers they get it in!!!! just checked we got another 3 tenths in the last 45 minutes---

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

It just rained really hard here for about 30 minutes and is now still sprinkling. Ditches are full and running. No parking now.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

noaa reports over 7 tenths of rain in the Joliet area this AM !!!! and some more on the way maybe a few tenths more--BUMMER

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

webbed feet yet

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Weather.com shows a slight chance of rain thurs. thru sat.Cooler temps also .I dont think it is going to be a wash out!!!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

It is a little sunny now. But nobody moving. Looks like it will be a late night for all the Jegs guys who have to tear down after they get in!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Rumor has it we are parking at the round track. Nothing official yet though!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Glad we didn't go.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Talk about a clusterf*****! We have just circled the Nascar track and are in another line! They pulled out all the Jegs Allstars and moved them into the track. Supposedly we are all being parked over here in the round track. They numbered us as we came in, but people have been cutting in. Rusty Cook is behind us at #83 and the guy behind him is # 117. Hopefully they will look at the numbers when we actually park.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Long way from the circle track to the starting line.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

does not sound good hope things impove for all hope they let you tow cars to staging lines other wise lots of race fuel used up and may be over heating probles GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND BE SAFE see yous friday

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Still not parked. You can tow up to the dirt track.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

If I remember right, the year I was there and had to park at the circle track, it was 2 miles to the drag strip starting line. Wait till you have to cross that busy road between the circle track and the drag strip, that a trip. J.Gower 3058

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Long way from where I parked last year, to the startng line. Between that and the drunks with a beer in each hand walking across in front of you on the way up there. Worst I have ever seen. Scratched that place right off my bucket list.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Ya some people there said that this is the worst it's ever been.

Pretty sure we would have left if we didn't live so close. My father was one of the first 30 rigs in line. He said they made him drive around to the other side of the track in a different line...he ended up being in the last 30 set of rigs to park...with parking further away.

Anybody know where the car passes/tech cards are? I guess no one knows where that is????? :confused:

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

We were #52 in line. This morning it absolutely poured and NHRA made the decision (right or wrong) to park everyone on pavement with the All Stars being in the track and every one else being at the oval track. In an attempt to remove all the All Stars, we did a lap around the oval track and the All Stars peeled off towards the drag strip. Wallace was at the beginning of the line handing out the tech cars all morning and then moved to the main intersection and is still sitting there right now. We're parked across the street by the oval track 1.9 miles from the burnout box according to my pit vehicle. Tech is being done at the trailers, in the dragstrip, and at the oval. All in all, there may have been people trying to cut the line and a few are still trying to get into the dragstrip as the grass is drying but we're all set for tomorrow. NHRA is allowing competitors to tow their vehicles across the street and into the drag strip if they would like.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

I was there a couple years ago when that same thing happened. They parked us at the NASCAR track. It pretty much sucked. We made the best of it, but it wasn't like being at a national event. Did a lot of coasting to save fuel and to keep motor cool.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Sooooooo glad we didn't go this year. So very glad. Good luck to everyone who is there, though. Hopefully no more severe weather for you.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Going to Monster Mopar in Indy.......

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Rub it in-:cool:

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

We lived through the last time we were pitted in the oval lot. Not fun at all, so far away we could barely get the track radio station in, little to no fan interaction which is always interesting, expensive on fuel and very hard on the equipment. We sincerely feel bad for everyone who has to experience it. Glad NHRA is letting people tow, and withdraw without penalty. At least there's that.

But that being said, remember that saying: a bad day racing beats a good day at work. Deep down inside, we really do wish we could be there to complain about it, but it's not meant to be for us right now. Some advice: be grateful for any and all opportunities you have, because with a blink of an eye, they can all change, or worse, be gone. Sincerely, good luck to you! :D

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Well after finally getting parked way far away and almost moving then going back where we were originally and then moving again, we are finally parked. Some people moved from the gravel area right down before you go across Schweitzer Rd to go into the track and the Cottens and Teutons got us a space in there across from them. We then sat down and had some drinks, then went to Mr. B's for dinner and have just got back and finished setting up our pit spot!

Here are a couple of shots from today:

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/020.jpg
This is where we were originally pitted. If you look way back to the right, you can see the bleachers for the drag strip.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/019.jpg
This morning awaiting word on what we were to do today.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/018.jpg
Mr. Helms and Co. solving all our problems today!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/017.jpg
Sorry, I cut off Larry's head! and Mike Crutchfield figuring out the rest of the world's problems.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/021.jpg
More of Sportsmen pits.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/022.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/023.jpg
This is at the back of the trailer where we were originally. Somebody else is in there now.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Well we are up and at em early this morning, trying to get everything organized to tow to the racetrack. It is overcast this morning and calling for afternoon showers. Hopefully we will get at least 2 of our 3 runs that we are supposed to get today. We start at 9 this morning with all sportsmen scheduled to get 3 runs. Then on Friday we run 2 rounds, then Sat. 2 more.

More later

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

The only time I was there, was when I was with my brother, we had GREAT pit parking! Possibly something about being in the Jeg's All-Star field.

GREAT post Beth!!! That race was the last my father went to before his passing. He/WE had a fantastic time!

Good luck and safe trips everyone!

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

Isaac there must of have been something in the water at that race cause it was my father's last race before his passing as well. Boy was my dad ticked that we had to tow all the way over to the track. Good luck to all and I am so glad I pulled out of this race.
Aaron Disinger
gt/ha 327y

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

65 cars made the first run in Stock + Larry Griffith was up there, but never went down the track. Brad Plourd oiled the entire race track in his K/SA, so we had about a 20-30 minute clean-up. I towed the car up there and did ok I guess for my first time towing. Most everyone drove up and would drive a little and coast a lot.

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

A few pics from this morning:

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/001.jpg
Scott Spies SuperBird

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/002.jpg
This is where we are parked now. Right before you cross the road to the back of the track.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/003.jpg
Joey Teuton AA/SA

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/004.jpg
Kevin Helms AA/SA

Re: "Live" from Joliet 2013
 

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/005.jpg
Mike Cotten SS/JA

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/006.jpg
Paula Cotten F/SA

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...202013/007.jpg
The clean-up after Brad's run.