All along the watchtower
Posted on September 17, 2007 in the Ranting category
The Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway went off without a hitch this past Sunday, thanks in part to security specialist and master negotiator Mathew Butka. Despite the reprimanding the occasional stumbling drunk and confiscating various contraband, it was really a marathon babysitting session.
Believe me, I am not complaining - after all I enjoy racing so the way I see it, I got paid to attend the race. I was also able to purchase my new hiking boots with my earnings. It was a very long 3 days - I worked Friday through Sunday and still put in 40 hours but it was fun. Probably do it again next year.
The first time I worked at the track was rather lame - all I got to do was sell crappy t-shirts and hats. This time I was involved in all sorts of cool stuff. I started by guarding the media compound - this is where all of the networks (ESPN, Speed, etc.) put their broadcast trailers and equipment. Kind of boring really but it was catered so I spent most of the day eating and chatting with whoever would listen - a nice trade off. The next couple of days were much more amusing - I got to escort Jamie McMurray, Bobby Labonte, and Kurt Busch to their autograph events. McMurray and Labonte were kind of duds but Busch seems like a quality guy taking the time to actually talk to people and interact. I missed Jeff Burton (one of the only guys I like) on his way up to the suites . . . bummer. Funny thing though, on Friday Jeff Burton and Mat Kenseth were on the Glenn Beck show (his TV show that is) and I was so excited to see it - good interview, lasted the entire hour. For those that don’t know, Glenn Beck is a conservative radio talk show host that also has a TV show on CNN Headline News channel. I have listened to him for a few years now - he’s a good guy. Anyways, apparently Steven Tyler was there as well as Rudy Giuliani (though not together in any official capacity, I assume), but I didn’t get to see them.
Overall it was amusing enough to do again - that is if I don’t have the money for tickets for next year.
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