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NASCAR BEHIND-THE-SCENES / DODGE CHARGER 500 AT DARLINGTON 6 Days / May 7 “Start your engines” and head for the Charlotte, NC area to take a behind- the-scenes look at one of America’s fastest growing sports – NASCAR racing. Each driver who has strapped on a helmet and climbed behind the steering wheel has wanted to win at Darlington because the toughest is the most desirable . . . too tough to tame! A “must” trip for all true NASCAR fans! Day 1. NASCAR fans depart today with much anticipation of racing fun! We travel through Illinois, Kentucky and into Tennessee for our lodging this evening. Lodging: Country Suites by Carlson, Cookeville,TN Day 2. We have breakfast at the hotel this morning and every morning of the tour. Today we travel on to our destination for the next three nights, Matthews, NC. This evening is free for you to relax and enjoy the Manager’s Reception at the hotel. Or, you may choose to take advantage of comp access to Peak Fitness or the hotel’s free shuttlewithin a 5-mile radius of the hotel. Lodging: Hampton Inn, Matthews, NC (3 nights) Day 3. Our motorsports guide joins us for a day of racing fun. We begin at Hendricks Motorsports. This facility features all of the Hendrick drivers including Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and four time champion Jeff Gordon. We visit the race shops and see an array of famous race cars from the past and present. Next, we visit the shops where the race cars are built for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. They run on tracks all across the US and all of the cars are built in this facility. See the engine department, fabrication and finishing departments. We then visit Lowes Motor Speedway. See the Nextel Cup garage, infield hospital, and scoring tower. Don’t forget your camera as we take pictures in Winner’s Circle after our victory lap around the 1.5 mile oval. Be sure and visit the huge gift shop before departing. We have lunchtoday in an all-you-can-eat buffet. No one leaves hungry! After lunch, we stop at Sam Bass Gallery, the renowned motor sports artist. Sam designs many of the race car paint schemes, uniforms, and logos of the top race teams. You learn how the creative process works. We receive a racing “goodie bag” before departing. Next, we tour Roush Racing, the team home of Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and other Roush drivers; and visit their fabulous museum. Now we head for RaceWorld/USA where you will get an insiders look at the new Toyota race shops of Michael Waltrip. We see a short orientation film and then go behind the scenes to see how the cars are built. You see the inside of a transporter that carries the cars to the track as well as one of the driver’s motor homes that they use at the track. What a complex! Then, we head for Concord Mills Mall, the mega shopping complex, for the evening. You may want to visit Bass Pro Shops for the latest in outdoor gear or spend time at Nascar Speedpark. Dinner will be on your own at your leisure in the mall where you will find a wide variety of menu choices. We head to the hotel after an exciting evening. Day 4. This morning, our motorsports guide joins us for more motorsports madness. First, we tour 5 Off 5 on Racing, a pit crew training facility for a behind-the-scenes look. You will see demonstrations of the skills needed to be a member of a professional pit crew. Live pit stops will take place while we are there. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation of the work they do. We enjoy a North Carolina barbecue lunch at a local restaurant which is a favorite of many of the drivers and race teams. You will marvel at the amount of racing memorabilia in this restaurant. Following lunch, we travel on to the Darlington Raceway with ample time to explore the Raceway and check out each person’s favorite drivers’ souvenir stands; bring your camera! Our seats for the Dodge Charger 500 are located in Pearson Tower, Section J, Rows 10, 11, 12, 28 and 29. Following the race, we return to our hotel. Day 5. This day we have an opportunity to sleep in a little later; then travel to our lodging for this evening. Lodging: Hampton Inn, Manchester, TN Day 6. This morning, we head home with fond memories and a greater appreciation for one of America’s fastest growing sports. Included meals: 5 Breakfasts 2 Lunches
Tour cost: $ 539. per person Child/Teen $ 949. per person 4/room $979. per person 3/room $1079. per person 2/room $1299. Single
$100 deposit to reserve your seat
Final payment due: March 21, 2008
$100.00 / person cancellation penalty
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