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I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Dover International Speedway. I received complimentary tickets to facilitate my post and promotional item to thank me for my participation at the conclusion of the program.

We had driven 400 miles. My family and I made many pit stops along the way and then stayed over night Saturday at a hotel so we could be rested up for the FedEx400 at the Dover International Speedway on Sunday. I had been to a NASCAR race before but this was a first to the Monster Mile for both my boys and myself. The closer we got to the race track the more cars and people you could see. Just about every store or shopping center was roped off with $5 or $10 parking signs posted. We love racing but we aren't your diehard, hardcore race fans. You know the ones that have been camped out at the track since before the weekend. After parking, we made our way through the tailgating crowds to the gates. The music, smell of all the concession stand grub, and the smell of the track greeted us as we made our way inside the speedway.

We stopped by the Fun Zone and the boys received their welcome gifts for joining the Monster Mile Youth Nation. There were all sorts of things to do before the drop of the green flag at race time. They had inflatables to play on, toy cars to race, mini golf and so much to keep your little race fans content until the drop of the green flag. The boys were even asked if they wanted to go down and sign the start/finish line but neither wanted to do it. After leaving the Fun Zone and grabbing the FanVision sets for the boys we made our way trackside in hopes to still catch the Q&A session with Jimmie Johnson. We missed it by 5 minutes. I was more disappointed than the boys were that we missed it. They were just excited to be able to walk on the track and see the race cars without the fence between them. They even stopped to sit on pit wall so they could say they were amped to watch Dale Jr. and all the other race car drivers in the FedEx400.

It was super hot that Sunday (note to self: for any other races we attend we need to remember to pack the cooler for the case of water we pack). The family had great seats. We could see the entire track. My oldest had his FanVision set on the Dale Jr. channel of course. The youngest shared his set back and forth with his 72 year young, great grandma who was attending her first NASCAR Sprint Cup race as well.

We watched as the number 88 got to lead a lap before hitting pit road. He didn't win but did finish in the top 20 in 14th place. Jimmie Johnson, who started 14th, won Sunday's FedEx 400 (benefiting Autism Speaks) in a green-white-checkered finish to bring home his 10th victory at the Monster Mile. Jimmie led for 23 of the 400 laps (the most important being the last one of course). Martin Truex Jr. led for 131 laps. The pole sitter, Denny Hamlin, finished 21st.

Attending the FedEx 400 at the Monster Mile in Dover was a wonderful, fun, family experience. Are you a NASCAR fan? You should take a minute and enter the Dover International Speedway’s “Families, Start Your Engines!” sweepstakes to be entered to win free tickets to the October AAA 400 Sprint Cup race.