It’s safe to say Helaine’s birthday gift to me was an unforgettable experience. I didn’t know that when I got it, but it’s obvious today after 18 laps around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a 600 HP NASCAR stock car.
Oh my God! I hit 142.85 MPH in a 42.24 second lap that averaged 127.85 MPH. This is the Richard Petty Experience!
Helaine and Stef came along to bolster my confidence and watch my drive. We arrived, sat through a few safety briefings then onto the track. A professional driver is in the right seat with a second throttle control.
Like a real NASCAR racer this one is configured pull left. That means you fight it a little to find your line high up on the bank going into the sharp turns.
I was feeling a little apprehensive as I climbed in and was harnessed tight. I stalled out in first gear while initially leaving the pits. I also went directly from first to fourth gear. Oops.
My only other major error was forgetting to let off the throttle once I was comfortable enough to go high in a banked turn. My instructor, Mark Skinner, did it for me.
I consider these slipups minor. Once I was driving I was at ease. I never felt the car was out of my control or even close.
I have a newfound respect for NASCAR drivers. This is exhausting work… and I was on a mostly empty track.
There are stills and in cockpit video, but without my laptop there’s no way to download them. I’ll get them on ASAP.
This was a once in a lifetime experience I’ll never forget.
What a birthday gift!
Very cool. My father and I go to Loudon, NH every June to drive the track with the Petty Driving Experience; although the speeds are much lower because the track isn’t banked as much. We’ll be in Florida in October and are hoping to drive Daytona.
On my bucket list! Cool for you!
Do you have a birthday next year? 🙂
Start dropping hints now: http://www.andrettiracing.com/
Had a similar experience two years ago for my 60th birthday,courtesy of my wife and daughter-in-law. Mine was from Al Lane’s Racing School at the Thompson Motor Speedway. Not sure if your drive was like mine, but mine was an actual 20-lap race against four other drivers, plus each driver was in the car him (or her) self with a one-way headset under the helmet so the “crew” can talk to the drivers while the race is going on. Funny and a bit scary how the crew actually choreograph the movement of the cars (you need permission to pass a slower car) while everyone is driving over 100 mph. An incredible rush (esp coming in first place); something I never felt driving a car before, but then again I never drove at 145 mph before. It was wild and I really want to do it again, but at a longer track.
What a wonderful, thoughtful wife you have. You are a very lucky man! What a rare experience.
see they made changes , when i drove 6 years ago you were in the car by yourself and had total control. I stalled it coming off pit road also the first time.