Hey, blog readers! There are lots of things to catch up on, but first I want to encourage all of you in the Charlotte area to come down to Food Lion Speed Street. They use Speed Street to promote the big roundy-round race this weekend, and they have closed off some of the main streets in uptown for all the festivities. There are all kinds of things to see and do with free concerts going on (Gary Allan put on a heck of a show last night), lots of samples (including Swedish Fish, one of my favorite candies in the world), and all kinds of racing paraphernalia and personalities, including our very own Doug Herbert.

With so many people going to Speed Street, we knew it would be a great opportunity to promote the BRAKES program. Thursday was the first day of the event, and things definitely got off to a great start. The show car is on display, and all day long people told me they just couldn’t believe how long it really is. They all said it just looks kind of normal on TV, which gave us a great way to promote the upcoming Carolinas Nationals at the new dragstrip over in Concord. It also gives us the chance to hand out BRAKES material and have conversations with people about how important it is to drive responsibly. Doug came out after work, signed hero card after hero card, answered a multitude of questions about the show car, and got lots of teens to sign up for BRAKES.

Doug will be out again Friday night from 6-8 to sign autographs and generate more buzz for the program. We will be giving away a trip to Jeff Gordon Driving School, thanks to Doug’s buddy Bob, and we are also trying to bring in some money for the cause. As I am sure you all know, nothing in the world is free, and neither is getting a teen safe driving program off the ground. Donations at Speed Street will get fans one of our wristbands, and we also have our driving pledges on hand to give to all the teenagers and their parents. It promises to be a fun-filled and busy weekend, so make sure you stop by, say hi, and pick up a wristband.

Now to back up just a bit, Doug has been busier than ever with BRAKES appearances. Last week, he hooked up with Ray Evernham and Elliott Sadler for the Allstate Teen Safe Driving Pit Stop at North Mecklenburg High School. Then on Tuesday, as soon as we got back from Bristol, he attended the MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder Showdown and had the opportunity to share the BRAKES messages with over 1,100 people, most of which were students from NASCAR Technical Institute. This group of students fit perfectly into the key demographic for BRAKES — kids who have been driving just long enough to think they are invincible.

The team has been back at the shop this week getting everything ready for Topeka. I have heard that blower dyno so much over the past few days I hear it in my sleep. There are several things to blog about on that end, but I am afraid you will have to wait until next time. It’s time for me to head down to Speed Street and get to work in the BRAKES tent! Come by and see us. We are in the parking lot at 8th Street and Brevard.

Until next time,

LP