Behind the Finish Lines of the 2008 Sound & Speed

This 2008 Sound & Speed review was submitted by a Nascar fan and local Nashvillian, who decided to step up to the finish line by volunteering with this annual event, and helping to ensure it's future success in Nashville.

From Les -
I was one of 100 or more volunteers that help facilitate the autograph sessions. First and foremost, I would like to thank the drivers & artists for the giving of their time to such causes as the Victory Junction Camp & the Country Music Hall of Fame. And a close second, I would like to thank the thousands of fans that behaved so well. As a Volunteer Section Leader I did not have the 1st fan that got out of line or was in any way rude to me.

As a fan in 2006, I too complained by e-mail to event organizers about how bad things were. I'd been to two previous Winston Cup Previews in Winston Salem, NC and many driver autograph sessions over the years. So in 2007 I decided I'd volunteer & see if in some small way I could help make the experience better for every fan that I came in contact with. From handing out Two Foot Fred wristbands to helping facilitate Aaron Benward [Blue Country] & Ray Scott's autograph sessions in the 300 level.

This year I helped facilitate Scott Wimmer & Cowboy Crush, Michael Waltrip & Danielle Peck, Dale Earnhardt Jr. & Taylor Swift's autograph sessions.
I met the first two ladies in line for Dale Jr.,[they were also the first two in line a little after 9am inside the Sommet Center for his 3pm signing] they'd gotten in line outside the Sommet Center @ 1pm Friday afternoon. I also met the 193rd lady in line, she'd gotten in line Saturday morning at 5:30am and there were only 7 people behind her in line that got 1 of the coveted 200 autograph tickets. I've since read on-line a report from a fan that got in Dale's line @ 6am & was 5 fans too late. Folks it was cold at 7am when I walked past the Dale Jr. line, I can only imagine staying outside all night in the cold.

From Michael Waltrip graciously coming back out to sign for 4 misplaced fans to Taylor Swift agreeing at 4pm to stay 25 more minutes & sign for all her fans still in line. I thought things from my vantage point ran rather smoothly. We ran 250 [200 white tickets were handed out to fans at 9am & 50 orange tickets were given out by sponsors] fans through Dale Jr.'s line in 40 minutes.

So I hope in some small way I helped make Sound & Speed 2008 the success it was.
See you @ Sound & Speed 2009!
Les

Related Websites:
Victory Junction Gang Camp
Sound and Speed
Country Music Hall of Fame

Article Written & Submitted by Les