July-August 2004


Departments

Rain Rain, Go Away
It didn’t, but it brought folks together anyway at NASCAR

“Well, it wasn’t what I expected.” That’s how a UAW brother from Georgia summed up the first Region 8 NASCAR Family Day. “But I huddled under a trash bag with some of my UAW sisters and brothers to keep dry and made some life-long friends,” he said.

“I rarely use four letter words,” said another UAW brother. “But I can think of one that fits — RAIN!
“We saw some great racing when we saw it and the Almighty provided some impressive fireworks during the lighting show. You can’t stop a storm when it comes, but I have to give a hand to our Region 8 Leadership. They planned a fantastic outing that brought sisters and brothers together from all over the nation,” he said.

In fact, people came to the Region 8 NASCAR Family Day from every state in Region 8 and a few states that are not. The day began with an open house at the Region 8 office in Lebanon, Tenn .

Region 8 Director Gary Casteel and Assistant Director Donnie Bevis treated each guest to a delicious lunch and an array of t-shirts, posters, and pins. Outside, the UAW-GM Motor Sports Display thrilled participants with displays of engines and race cars.

Visitors had their photos taken inside race cars, looked at actual NASCAR cars and saw everything that goes into building a race-ready NASCAR vehicle. Signing autographs inside the display was Mike Kramer, SCCA N a t i o n a l Champion. Kramer brought along his UAW made Saturn Red Line race car built by the Local 1853 members. Kramer works for Saturn and has been a great friend to UAW members, supporting many UAW-sponsored events.

Leaving the Region 8 reception, race fans headed for the Nashville Super Speedway. Shortly after the gates opened, a torrential downpour hit, sending UAW members to run for cover. The rain wiped out a scheduled Chris Cagle concert which was unfortunate because UAW members had front stretch passes that would have allowed them to get up close and personal at the concert.

The rain also took away a UAW Fan Walk privilege which allows a limited amount of race fans near pit access where they can meet drivers and race teams. The rain stopped and NASCAR was able to start the Federated Auto Parts 300.

Pole Sitter Martin Truex Jr. led the race from the start. On lap 49, the National Weather Service announced that UAW race fans were in for heavy weather with extreme rain, hail, high winds and severe lighting. On lap 94, NASCAR officials red flagged the race for fear that lightning would strike the metal grandstands where fans were seated.

The grandstands were evacuated, and racing was halted for three hours. UAW members who stayed to the finish were treated to an exciting finale. Rookie Driver Kyle Busch grabbed the lead with 64 laps to go. He held on, but with 4 laps left in the race he started to run out of gas. Busch headed for the pits after having passed the pit entrance resulting in a spin onto the front stretch grass. Jason Leffler took advantage of Busch’s mishap and drove on to the win.

No, the Region 8 NASCAR Family Day didn’t go exactly as expected. But you have to applaud the people who planned it. We thank Gary Casteel, Donny Bevis and everyone on the regional staff who put in hundreds of hours of work for the enjoyment of the Region 8 UAW members and their families. Let’s hope we get better weather next year.

Jim Adams
Local 1853




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