"boogity, boogity, boogity - lets go racin' boys!"

It's Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte ... which means Speed Street and the 51st running of the Coca Cola 600 .. the loooooongest race in the Sprint Cup series. Speed Street is when they basically block off half of downtown Charlotte and set up 3 stages with artists performing Thu-Sat leading up to the big race. This years line up included Rodney Atkins, Luke Bryan, Pat Benatar, Corey Smith and some others. I took advantage of living within walking distance to the concerts and enjoyed some summer weather and good tunes with some friends.  It is honestly one of my favorite weekends in Charlotte .... who doesn't like free concerts and people watching as the NASCAR fans come into town?!

Corey Smith live!! If you don't have any of his music on your iPod, then you need to download it.

Here's one of my favorite songs that he performed on Saturday night!

On Saturday one of my good buddies from high school, Ben, ended up coming up with some friends to go the race Sunday and had an extra ticket which they graciously offered to me. With both roommates out of town, and no big weekend plans made ... I agreed....knowing 600 miles was going to be too much for me. We spent the majority of the day quoting Talladega Nights and Days of Thunder and just people watching.  Ben went on to make a big purchase of a Jeff Gordon tank top - so classy.

The boys are ready to go -- denim cutoffs, Gordon tank tops and all.

Ben and Me ... we're ready for racing to begin!

NASCAR is the only place where it's acceptable for boys not wear shirts to the event...

I hope they're all sunburned.  

"No no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you...

he rubbed you. And rubbin' son, is racing" - Days of Thunder

and then Ben did this with his ear plugs.

Nightime racing was much more enjoyable than the day ...

getting rid of that HEAT!

We only lasted through lap 252 before we all looked at eachother, decided we had gotten our fill of the race atmosphere, had enough of watching cars take left turns, and packed up to beat the traffic. We made it home easy and sat on the couch and watched the end of the race. Well planned out if you ask me. :)

Remember ... " If you ain't first, you're last."-  Ricky Bobby.