So, it is eight o’clock Thursday morning. I am still on my way to the Daytona 500 Media Day. Clearly I am running super late; the Media Day events starting any minute, and I still have half an hour to go.
Now fast forward to eight-thirty. I am finally at the Daytona International Speedway and entering the gates inside. I say my name at the gate and tell them I am with cupscene.com. They let me. Everyone all smiles, like today were the best day ever. I mean it is Valentine’s Day, but that day comes every year. How great can it be?
I follow the signs and park in the section designated for the media. Once I get out of the car, I am lost. I have no idea where to go and how to get inside the track. There are tons, and I mean tons of motor homes lined up everywhere. From what I hear, that’s where the drivers stay. Could you imagine? I personally have never been in one before, so if you have, are they comfortable? Please share your opinions with me. I would love to know.
There were so many, I could not find the path inside the track. I had to stop and ask one of the workers, who then directed me to it. I walked in and , “Oh My Goodness! What have I gotten myself into?” Yes, that was the first thought going through my head. The second? “I need some press releases now.” I need to know what’s going on, get the scoop on the latest news…”Oh my god, what is going on?”
Clearly I was ridiculously overwhelmed. I cannot wait for the day I walk into one of these media days knowing exactly where to go. Instead, I feel like I am wondering aimlessly. The drivers lined up on a red carpet on the right side of the room; media camera’s all over them, reporters all up in their faces. This is Media Day.
So I guess I need to add some news into this blog. That is why you’re here, right? The latest news is kind of a follow up. Figures they’re still talking about these new dryers. Which is pretty big, I must admit. They will cut dry time by more than half for the track! That means no more long waits for races to get on the way after a rainy day! Which I assume is good for Florida, especially if you take into account its spastic weather. I personally like to say Florida’s weather is like a man, and in Katy Perry’s words one that, “PMS’s like a bitch, I would know.”
Moving on, in case you don’t remember, here’s the low down on these new dryers.
The new dryers are called “Air Titans.” Pretty intimidating name, if I should say so myself. The new track drying system will debut during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. That means they’ll start being used Saturday, if need be, during The Sprint Unlimited race.
What makes these dryers different? They use compressed air. How they work? Well, they will push water off the surface of the track and onto the apron where vacuum trucks will soak it all up. Jet dryers will also follow each Air Titan, drying any left over water still on the surface.
I know. Pretty exciting, and looking at the weather report for this weekend they may come into good use. Friday shows a thirty percent chance of rain. However, Saturday is looking pretty good, with only a ten percent chance of rain. I’m personally seeing a dry track all day. But then again, this is Florida, so you will want to keep your fingers crossed.