Crossing the finish line

As I come around the corner, I am deafened with almost 200,000 adrenaline-pumped fans drowning out the sound of dozens of high-performance cars racing at speeds exceeding 200 mph!  

Ok, this is all in my imagination as I pull into the completely barren parking lot at Talladega Superspeedway. I try entering the arena, but I am abruptly stopped by the security.  They direct me to the Admin office on the other side of parking lot.  Doors are locked with one truck and one car in the parking lot.  I call the telephone number listed on the glass door.  Within minutes I find myself standing in an office, hesitantly asking for permission to enter the arena.  I am answered quickly with the words, "Let's do it!" 

I am following a truck driving through a tunnel into the arena.  Driving on a path, for emergency vehicles, underneath the bleachers down to the track.  We park and before I know it, I am at eye level of the start/finish line.  I reach down to touch it with a huge smile on my face.  Oh, the sound of the fans and the revving of the high-performance cars enter my head again.  What a rush!

I end this unexpected event of a lifetime with my photo being taken with "This is Talladega" in front of me and the massive track behind me.  A moment I will never forget!

As I am exiting the parking lot, I smile reading these words "Thank you for visiting Talladega Superspeedway".  I shout out loud to myself, "No.  Thank you, Talladega!"  Today I learn a lesson.  Never be afraid to ask for something you want.