Phoenix . November 2011

Friday, we left the house about 4:30am, and drove through Las Vegas to Phoenix.  We made a long lunch stop in Vegas, and ate at Margaritaville - it was delicious!

Saturday was the reason we drove all the way to Phoenix . . . we were able to get tickets to Kevin Harvick's First Annual "West Coast" Fan Club Event.  We went to the track, shopped around the trailers, and watched the last half of Sprint Cup qualifying, and the first part of the Nationwide Race.  We left the race early, and went to stand in line to "register" with the Fan Club Event - we were person #4 and #5 in line.  After a long wait (the race went long, and they waited until it was over to let registration begin), we were able to procure front row seats inside.  A typical race-food dinner (hot dogs) was served, and a few other events happened.

Kevin Harvick, and his wife DeLana, came out for a "Q & A Session", hosted by Jamie Little - an ESPN Correspondent (remember her . . . she's super important in the story in just a bit!).

Jamie Little, Delana Harvick, and Kevin Harvick

After the Q&A, Fan Club Members were allowed to line up to get up to 2 items autographed by Delana and/or Kevin.  Well . . . the problem is that only Patrick is a Fan Club Member, and I wanted more than 2 items autographed!  After a few discussions with Kevin's PR people, I was allowed to get in line, and also have 2 items autographed!

Kevin seemed flattered, but not too shocked that we named our son Harvick.  One of his PR people told me that it happens "more than you might think" - but, typically his first name is used, and more often it is as a middle name!  After he signed our 4 items, I told Patrick to go around the table to get a picture with him - it turns out that going behind the table isn't allowed - but, no one stopped us (they stopped everyone else, though)!

Kevin signing Harvick's Birth Certificate; the signed Birth Certificate!; and Kevin Harvick and Patrick!

Harvick's picture autographed by Kevin (left) and DeLana (right)

But - the story doesn't end there!  All along, I have been saying that I was going to find a way to get Jarrett's Birth Certificate and picture autographed by Dale Jarrett - the problem was that I had no idea how that could happen.  When we found out Jamie Little was going to be at the Fan Club event, Patrick suggested that would be a better contact that Kevin Harvick (or his people) - both Jamie and Dale Jarrett are ESPN Correspondents!  Immediately following the Q&A, I followed Jamie out of the event tent, and stopped her and Kevin Harvick's PR guy, Josh.  Josh had been the person who allowed me to get the additional autographs, but honestly, he couldn't have cared less about our son's name.  However, Jamie loved that we had named our boys Harvick and Jarrett, and strongly encouraged Josh, and the other PR person - EJ - to help get the Birth Certificate signed!  Had I not been able to tell her, I don't think we would have gotten anywhere with my plan.  We left the event with EJ's phone number, and instructions to call her when we got to the track on Sunday!

Sunday was the "main race".  As part of the Fan Club package, we received 2 pit passes.  Now, let me explain - there are different types of passes - pit passes and garage passes.  Then, there are levels within each (I think).  The pit pass is the most basic.  The "best" (I think) is a "HOT garage pass".  Okay - back to the story - we redeemed our pit pass, and were able to walk around pit road, where we took a picture in front (back?) of Kevin Harvick's pit box, and with the tires that were to be used for the race.

We walked out on to the actual track, where I signed the start/finish line, and where we watched Driver Introductions.

At the end of the Driver Introductions, you are supposed to go over the barrier wall, and back into the stands . . . except we hadn't had a chance to see Kevin Harvick's car (it had been raining earlier, so they weren't out when we were on pit road) . . . so, I convinced Patrick to back the way we had entered the track to see the car!

Well, not only did we get to be thisclose to Kevin Harvick's car, but Kevin was within an arm's reach, as he prepared for the race.  While standing there, Patrick kept telling me we didn't have the right kind of pass (a "HOT garage pass"), and that we were going to get caught - it was at that point that he turned his pit pass around, so that someone wouldn't be able to easily tell we shouldn't be there!  Then, right as officials were asking everyone to get off the track, Kevin's PR person, EJ, saw us.  She informed us we weren't going to be able to meet Dale Jarrett in person, but that she would take the items, give them to Jamie who would take them to him in Homestead (Florida - the last race of the season), and have them shipped back to us.  As this conversation happened, they started the prayer and National Anthem . . . so, we stood in Kevin Harvick's "line" - literally, it went the car, Kevin, DeLana, Kevin Harvick employee, and then Patrick!  Complete once-in-a-lifetime thing.  Too bad I have no pictures to prove it!  We were; however, close enough to grab a few shots of Kevin getting into his car before we left.

So . . . now we keep our fingers crossed that we get Jarrett's Birth Certificate and picture, autographed, and in the mail!

At the start of the race (left), and the end of the race (right)

Overall, we had a great time . . . but, we were glad to get back to our boys on Monday!  Thanks to my parents for spending the weekend with them!