by Jane Smith

SpeedWeeks are over. Daytona is well on it's way to being clean. Fans, drivers, and crews have returned home for a much deserved rest after nine nights of racing. Some are happy and feel very satisfied that they did their best and others are disappointed because their best was not good enough.

Some only made it one night being wrecked out and disappointly having to go home. Others were lucky enough to have back-up cars but when that was damaged, it was work all night and forget the word sleep.

No racer does this for money because it just does not pay what you put into it, they do it because it is the one time of year where north meets south and east meets west. It is the one time that you really get to see what your stuff is made of against some of the best in the country.

Everyone thinks of the drivers and crews and what a great effort they put into SpeedWeeks but it is also the behind-the-scenes people who make SpeedWeek work. From the back gate person to the concession stand people, they give countless hours to help make SpeedWeeks successful. They smile when they are bone-tired and they give it their all to make everyone feel important which is what they are.

SpeedWeeks is like a giant family reunion, old friends get together and new friends are made. Tears are shed when you say goodbye and hugs are unending when you say hello.

There have been many stars of today's series that have spent their time at SpeedWeeks from Scott Wimmer to Shelby Howard, Clay Rogers, Bobby Gill, Joey Miller, Kevin Cywinski, and the late Tom Baldwin. SpeedWeeks is full of surprises, you never know where that little unknown driver will end up.

For all those drivers and crews, concession stand workers, gate workers, ticket booth workers, even bathroom attendents, we say "thanks for a great show and see you in 2006."


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