From the garage to the pits: The Best Seat in the House in New Hampshire.

A garage and pit hot pass, media parking, access to the media center, victory lane and one incredible seat high atop the #29 Shell-Pennzoil RCR Racing Pitbox for the day is what makes up Shell’s Best Seat in the House for the Sylvania 300 at the New Hampshire International Speedway last Sunday.

This is just the experience that this NASCAR fan and blogger took in for the first chase race and what an experience it was. It’s a day like no other for this blogger with a walk though the infield tunnel and up into the infield and down though the parking and campers right into the Cup Series garage area were the seen is a buzz with activity that all leads up to the huge 300 lap race. Walking though the garage with passes and camera in hand and Cup cars being prepared, there it is, the #29 Shell-Pennzoil RCR Chevrolet in its small garage being prepared with its race setup and testing every nut and bolt including once raising the rear-end and supporting it with jack stands and running the engine in drive to test all componients, what a sweet sound that V8 engine is and then its gone, off to the first of three inspection stations.

From there Down around the garage to the what is referred to as the claw to check the templates and then though the height stick and finally on to pitroad for final inspection before placing the car in its starting position on pitroad, meanwhile the rest of crew is going between the hauler, the garage and down pitroad setting up the pitbox and laying out the numerous sets of tires used all in preparation for this one race. During this, the driver is busy off on media and sponsor appearances though out the speedway including up in the suites.

All this time, I explored first in the garage area grabbing photos of the crews working on the cars and then it’s off for a tour of the media center. It’s interesting walking though the media center checking out all of the broadcasts, writers, announcers and more and on the way out getting lunch and an ice tea. Finally on pit road for what is going to be a long exciting day.

Once on pitroad and I’ve grabbed photos of some pit boxes and the 43 car starting lineup, the crowds in the grandstand started to fill-in and its finally 1:30pm. It’s driver intros and just as soon as it’s over with the trales, stage and trucks disappearing, all of the drivers are in there cars. As of the now, pit road is so crowded with thousands of people with hot passes and the #29 crew filling up tires once more, filling the fuel cans and laying out four tires and two cans of fuel for the first pitstop.

Gentelmen start your engines as I take position in the #29 pit just as the green flag flies. Once the first caution flies (which was the competition caution at lap 35), it was the first of many pit stops for the #29 team. However the #29 crew and driver had a lot more going on this day besides just running a race, as it was the first chase for the Nextel Cup Championship, they were also on Directv Hot Pass and were the ABC-ESPN In-car race reports. Shortly after the first pit stop, I would climb the latter on the #29 pitbox right behind the crew chief Todd Barrier. I only stayed up on the pitbox for a short, but it was worth it as the Shell pit was busy with a potential sponsor. Once on top of the pitbox, you can see the entire frontstraight, down into turn 1 and 2 and on the opposite side turns 3 and 4.

What a pitbox, a total of seven TV screens with five being up top with live timing and scoring, Directv and ABC’s NASCAR coverage. In front of me was Todd Barrier and on the other side was a crew member and Kevin’s wife DeLana with one working lap times and the other working pit strategy.

Unfortunately while driving in the top 10, Harvick cut a tire down and had to pit early, but rebound for a while. Once again the #29 pit crew fired off four tires and fuel in less than 14 seconds and Harvick’s off. From what I got to hear on the scanner, Harvick and his crew chief were busy with trying to fix the frontend turning problem for some of the race and being ABC’s in-car reporter.

Following lap 200 it was time for the last pit stop and once again four tires and fuel in less than 14 seconds. Unfortunately Harvick would finish 17th, first car a lap down while his RCR teammate Clint Bowyer dominated the entire field and leading the most laps to capture his first Cup Series victory. In celebration, Clint smoked everyone with huge donuts and off to victory lane.

All in all, what an incredible experience for this huge NASCAR fan and blogger, oh yeah did I mention my father who is also a blogger came with me and as we headed out though the infield tunnel and outside the speedway, we left as we came in with huge smiles.

I would like to thank Shell-Pennzoil with there Best Seat in the House program including Sam and Judy, Shell’s PR company Edelman PR, driver Kevin Harvick, owner Richard Childress and the entire #29 RCR Racing team for letting us be in the pits, we both had a great time and what an experience.