THEY WERE LITERALLY ON A DATE!! AND THE WAY CHRIS IS LOOKING AT HIM, HE’S IN LOVE!!

And also

And now this

Them kissing on live tv would be less gay than whatever this is

what can i expect?

what are some ESSENTIALS that we need to get for the race?

if you have been to this race track - what is parking like?

there’s four of us (hopefully) going and i’m very very excited

these👇 works have already been here, but they are also part of au

@butchblaney, @kittykatknits, @vroomvroomgirl, @blaneyryan, @ryanblaneyshands, @frederikvesti, @memoryhallows, @swedishghostvoice28789, @stxrrlit, @ryanfailey, @yellowsportscar, @halfmileblog, @loverofracecars, @formula-red, @blaney-dnf, @nascar, @blaneybaby, @starlightiing, @xxeggzbenedictxx, @princess-speedway, @nascarisms, @catwarrr, @sports-balls, @dipshit-central, @butterflyblaney, @wonderboyyy @mndbsstt, @pitroadprincess @crooked-mile @puffle-fuzz

Also credit to my grandpa for being my photographer for the photos I'm in. He did his best lol. He's the whole reason I'm into NASCAR since he introduced it to me when I was a one-year-old and I've been hooked ever since lol.

Starting strong with the view driving into the accessible parking lot!! (Idk if I've ever discussed my health on here but I'm chronically ill so I have a disability parking placard).

Once we got in, I started going to the autograph sessions for the drivers who you didn't need a wristband for. I got Ryan Preece, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell, Noah Gragson, and Todd Gilliland this way. I also managed to get Carson Hocevar's autograph while in line for Stenhouse because he passed by on his way to the golf cart, but I wasn't quick enough with my phone to get a selfie unfortunately. His sharpie was also dying and I had to retrace his autograph with my own lol. But hopefully one day I'll get a real autograph from him lol. I won't put in all the driver photos I got but I'll put in the few who I actually am a pretty decent fan of.

My little sister got me Nascar playing cards for my birthday and I had drivers sign those because I play solitaire a lot so whenever I play I get to see the autographs haha. Also, I just had them sign the Kings and then the Aces because I didn't want to offend anyone...so yeah don't worry I don't think Austin Dillon is actually a king. If I ever meet Kyle Larson I'll have him sign the joker. (You don't even use jokers in solitaire lol).

Here's a photo in front of the Chicagoland car:

After getting merch and autographs, it was time for the driver intros and then the race!

Photos from the race, including when Austin Cindric was leading, below. When I tell you that it was the best part of the whole trip, even if he didn't win anything, I am not exaggerating. Seeing your favorite driver lead laps at your first ever in person NASCAR race? There's nothing like it.

Selfie from after the race:

All in all, this was one of the best days of my life, and I am so blessed to have parents and grandparents who were willing to pool their resources to give me this trip for a late twentieth birthday gift. I hope to one day get to go to a race for the whole weekend, but even if I never set foot on a NASCAR track again, I know I am so blessed to have gotten the chance even once.