1st Race of 2011 a Good One
Big Red's racing season got underway over the weekend at Martinsville Speedway. While not a record breaker, it was a great weekend despite some unseen problems. And, we introduced the new foot long Corn Dog which was a big success.
I went down on Thursday to set up which is my normal procedure. Only, this time it just about killed me. I figured with my recent medical problems, it had to be related to that, perhaps from the meds, but I had very little strength and my stamina level was non-existent. The work got done, it just took considerably longer than normal.
Friday, practice day, is always a nothing day that I had planned to work by myself. No sense in spending on labor to just sit around and look pretty. And, it was a slow day, thankfully the way I was feeling. Still more than double what I did on Friday in 2010 but certainly not enough to cause me any problems. But, still, I just felt crappy.
As the crew arrived, Peggy, Chuck and Ryan on Friday night, and Tank and Laura early Saturday morning, I told them all I was not my normal self and they were going to have to carry the weight.
And let me tell you, they did!
Basically, Tank cooked funnel cakes. Chuck handled mixing batter and cooking corn dogs. Ryan sugared. Laura ran the front, Peggy filled in giving everyone breaks until Sunday when we ran two cash registers. I handled bottled drinks.
My other problem this weekend was that I struggled walking. And at Martinsville, that's tough as you have to park about a mile and a half from the stand with several pretty good hills to go up and down. That was tough plus I had some shortness of breath. Also, keep in mind, a couple of months ago, I pulled a groin muscle and it seemed to act up this weekend. I'm not sure what came first but it only added to a miserable weekend for me.
Business wise, it was great. While it is impossible to compare to last years spring race where Sunday was rained out, and the race run on Monday with over half of the concession stands closed. We were close to those totals, but fell short of the total sales because last years ended up being 4 days instead of 3. Still, a good weekend.
And, the crew was awesome especially Tank and Laura.
Needless to say, first thing this morning, I called my doctor and spent a good bit of the afternoon there. They did a bunch of tests (chest xray, EKG, blood work, etc.) and basically, my doctor said, "Hell. I don't know what's wrong with you." At least it isn't my heart or my lungs. But, can I tell you how much I hate doctors? $221 bill and he doesn't have a clue? But that needs to be the subject of another post.
My craziness continues this week. Potomac Nationals baseball starts on Friday with a six game home stand, plus I have a kids show at Richmond Raceway on Saturday with a baseball game in Woodbridge on Saturday night.
Another report will follow.
