Where am I?

This is the airport, isn’t it?

A weekend at the races is complete, storied filed, a few hours of sleep attained – time to hit the airport and catch that flight back to reality. Unfortunately, due to torrential rain - I'm delayed. As I sit here waiting I've had to remind myself I was actually at the airport, and not in the turn four infield. Then again, the Queen City and Charlotte-Douglass International Airport, offer the perfect portal to the world hub of stock car racing.

Here are some of my observations following the Coca-Cola 600, straight from gate A3.

There were a couple Canadian kids sitting next to me, complete with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. hats - signed by their favorite driver. There were several fans in the airport, too many to count. Amazing though, the only drivers I didn't see were Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch.

Track gear – Not sure how so many people got through the gates with their track swag – mainly the huge checkered flags. The other alternative – wear everything you bought. Dude looked like a walking Kasey Kahne commercial. Not sure what he spent, but I’m sure it’s more than I make in a week.

To the kid having the meltdown in the middle of the airport – wearing his little Lowe’s cap – sorry Jimmie crashed, but pull it together. I’m sure Chad has a plan.

Family tradition: Several families waiting for flights home. Best one was the woman with the 88 attire, two kids – each wearing Denny and Kyle gear – and her husband sporting Todd Bodine shirt. Wonder what those evening dinners are like?

Another family of four walking down the terminal, dad wearing 88, mom wearing 31 and the cute little M&M’s shirts on the youngsters with them. Obviously those shirts were gifts of family they had to see this weekend.

Here are a few nuggets overheard at the gate:
By the guy who literally fell into the seat next to me:
“Holy god, I haven’t felt this bad in ten years.”

At the ticket counter:
“Well, you’re obviously not a racefan then,” I didn’t get the first part of the conversation.

In the waiting area - the busy area -
“Dude, nice hat,”
“You like that – done stole this.”
“Stole it?”
“Yeah, I stole it."
“Why, dude, it’s a 24 hat."
“You should have seen the chick wearing it."

By the four guys sitting in the group behind me:
“Dude, wake me up when we board. If I don’t get some sleep I might die.”
“Dude, you’re damn lucky you didn’t die last night.”
“Yeah, I know.”