Darlington Stripe

GQuotes

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
~Albert Camus

In a real dark night of the soul it is always three o'clock in the morning, day after day.
~F. Scott Fitzgerald

gPod Darlington Shuffle

1. Fortunate Son ~CCR
2. Knock Me Down ~RHCP
3. Carribean Queen ~Billy Ocean
4. Ring of Fire ~Johnny Cash
5. Heavy Things ~Phish
6. Show Them To Me ~Rodney Carrington
7. Gone ~Montgomery Gentry
8. Lollipop ~Lil Wayne
9. Buzzin' ~Shwayze
10. Birthday Girl~The Roots

I reckon I should have written this blog some weeks ago...like right after the trip to Darlington, SC for the Dodge Challenger 500. Well ole JD, TD and I decided to rent an RV an head down to the races. The track at Darlington is the 2nd oldest in all the land, and a historic track if just for the great races that take place every time the green flag is waved. NASCAR is a state of mind, and with an RV rented, plenty of hotdogs, hamburgers, Ukrops baked goods, beer, cigars, and anticipation, we were all in a Darlington state of mind. A blazing 96 degrees but beautiful blues skies and breezes ruled the weekend. We may not have been in a party zone or much of a party mood, but just hanging and enjoying time off wiht friends was enough. We missed the truck race, but managed to make it to both the Nationwide series and Nextel Cup races. With a brand new surface this track was bound to be crazy. There were a coupl of good wrecks but mostly the track was fast! The Nationwide race was great offering one of the most horrific crashes I've seen live by Matt (Kensoo) Kenseth. It was more loud than anything else. Thankfully Kenseth walked away unscathed. I almost did not however...After the Cup race as we walked the 2 miles back around the track to our RV (DONT EVER RENT FROM CRUISE AMERICA!!!EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER CALL ME DR. PERRY COX EVER EVER EVER EVER) I was almost hit by Juan Pablo Montoya's Golf cart! I screamed "Don't hit me Juan Pablo, don't hit me!!!!!" He looked less than thrilled. But we all got our Darlington stripe...of which there are many definitions...these two:
DARLINGTON STRIPE URBAN DICTIONARY

But my theory is the Darlington stripe is just the badge of honor you wear, and the happiness in your heart after hanging with your buds in beautiful Darlington, SC on race weekend....ummmmm...nooooooooooo, come on, really?
Actually I believe the Darlington Stripe is the white magnesium mark left on your back from the 50+ year old galvanized, top halves of folding chairs anchored in concrete. Or it could be the guy puking on himself 3 people down from me.....

Enjoy the pics and video!

Our RV....Don't rent from Cruise America...ever


Flip Flops


Fume el rubusto de JR's Discount Tobacco
(Actually JR's is the biggest and best cigar store I've ever seen!)


Right over there...is Miss South Carolina

Darlington Panorama, I learned how to take this shot sitting in my seat before the race started. This was my first attempt! Click for full effect.



Anthem and Flyover

Wrap-around. Great shot by JD, and in only one take!!


Tony wraps it in one take too!