This week we will talk to Renata Perry about her experience at Darlington Raceway. Renata witnessed Denny Hamlin win the Southern 500, the same week as previous Darlington winners were inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Renata enjoyed meeting Michael Waltrip, Kyle Petty, Kenny Wallace, and more before the race, then enjoyed the amazing spectacle that is Darlington.
As she says in the interview, she was not able to see Jimmie Johnson’s horrendous wreck, but as she also says, she very much enjoyed the race, and has something to say about Darlington’s “future” second race. This may not have been Renata Perry’s first race, and probably not her last, but she very much enjoyed is, as hopefully you will enjoy the second interview on “Eyes of the Fan”
Daniel Caudill’s Questions
1. What was your overall favorite thing about your weekend at Darlington?
We had so much fun; it's hard to pick one thing. We got to hang out at the Speed Stage Home Depot VIP Zone, then we got autographs and our pictures taken with John Roberts, Kyle Petty and Kenny Wallace. We even got to meet Kenny's wife Kim and daughter Brittany. It was awesome!
2. How were you able to see A.J Allmendinger violently side swipe Jimmie Johnson? How did you feel about that?
We were on the backstretch and couldn't see the wreck well, I only saw what happened really well after I got home and saw it on replays. That was crazy! I like Jimmie Johnson, but I'm ready to see someone else win and someone else win the championship for a change, so I was happy Jimmie got wrecked, and of course glad that he wasn't hurt.
3. How much of the track were you able to see from your seat?
We were on the backstretch; we could see the whole track fairly well, although sometimes we couldn't see too well, what may have been going on, on the other side.
4. Would you recommend Darlington raceway to anyone else?
Darlington is awesome! I would definitely recommend it to everyone else! I wish NASCAR would give them back a 2nd race.
5. How would you rate Darlington to any other tracks you have been to? If you have not been to another track, describe how Darlington was as a first experience.
I enjoyed all the tracks I've been to. I've been to Charlotte twice, Martinsville twice, Darlington twice, and Richmond once. I loved them all!
Summer Dreyer’s Questions
6. Had you attended any Darlington races in the past? How does the new surface compare to the old surface?
I had been to Darlington once before. I don't remember the year. I can't really comment on the old surface to the new surface. Some of the drivers mentioned that the tires were not wearing on the new surface though.
7. What was it like listening to the mothers give the command to start engines?
Aww, we missed that! Bummer. That musta been awesome! I'll have to see it when I watch the race on my DVR. We were still making our way to our seats then, because we were at the Speed stage right up until race time.
8. How full were the stands?
Looked quite full to me. In our area, seemed like every seat had someone in it, although the seats weren't being utilized a lot of the times. We were on our feet!
9. Who were you pulling for in the race?
I have lots of favorite drivers. Clint Bowyer and Dale Jr. are 2 of my favorites, but they were unfortunately not really factors. Clint had a tire let go I believe and finished in the 30's. I also love Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Tony Stewart. I was thrilled that Denny Hamlin won!!!
10. Were you there for the NW race? What did you think about Denny Hamlin sweeping hte weekend?
We weren't there for the NW race. I was keeping up with it on my phone thru Twitter. We were traveling to SC during the Nationwide race.
Thanks to Renata for the picture!
