Speedway Regional

[Jimmy G.]

The DEI late dinner is full but there are several early spots left!!!!

[Terry D.]

Re: Speedway Regional

If you have never been to DEI you are going to be disappointed. Not much to see, at least not for regular visiters. If you have time and really want to see some NASCAR shops, check out Richard Childress Racing or Hendrick Motor Sports, both close to Charlotte.
Terry

[Terry D.]

Re: Speedway Regional

Another neat place to visit is Backing Up Classic Car Museum, it is right down the road from Lowe's Motor Speedway, on the same side of the street maybe a half mile down the hill. Has alot of old cars, race cars, motorcycles etc. Well worth the five dollar fee.
Terry

[Terry M.]

Re: Speedway Regional

Terry I went on this tour three years ago, and there is a lot to see at DEI. We got what was billed as a "behind the scenes" tour. Got to talk to the chassis & body builders. Talked to the engine builders, and got to see them at work as well. They were all willing to take the time to answer all our questions. I think we got a far more extensive tour than the general public gets.
I, and members of my family, are going again. I’m not a NASCAR fan (just a car guy), but my sister and BIL are. They are coming this time on the strength of what I told them about the tour three years ago. I don’t think they will be disappointed, and I don't expect to be either.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Speedway Regional - DEI

Terry and fellow NCRS members:

The tour of DEI is a behind the walls guided tour where you see parts of the shop that no one usually visits. Last time we actually saw a bare head and a machined head side by side, which is some of the most secret technology in NASCAR. So I would not call the tour lame at all. It is also somewhat hands-on as you can touch lots of stuff they have.

As far as the dining experience, it is a 4 star facility built for the DEI employees. Dale Earnhardt spared no expense on this "Trophy Room" as his employees were always considered as his best assets. They have an unbelievable facility with leather chairs that actually have Dale's logo as part of the pattern. The food is as good as you can get in any facility in Charlotte. And not many facilities have 7 Winston Cup trophies along one wall of their establishment!!!!!!

So, I beg to differ, it is far from lame. It is a very special event!!!

The chapter has arranged for a bus to take people to and from the dinner so tasty adult beverages can be enjoyed without fear of the NC Highway Patrol.

All of this is included in the price on the registration. Have you registered yet?

[Mike M.]

Re: Speedway Regional - DEI

Jimmy is right-on. the DEI tour we took a couple of years ago, with the ncrs chapter, was far moreextensive than the public gets when going there. wouldn't miss the shop not the food if i were going this year. mike

[Terry D.]

Re: Speedway Regional

That's really good, wish I could go, because what you get to see as John Q Public visiting DEI is a joke. Went out of my way last time through there just to see DEI, figured I would spend the afternoon looking around, what a disappointment, took about a half hour to see everything.
Terry

[Terry M.]

Re: Speedway Regional

I think we got to spend 2 or 3 hours there, and then we got to eat in their banquet facility. This dinning room overlooks the car display, and has three walls full of race trophies and signed photos. Great food too. It was definitely not the J Q public tour.
I’m going there two days early to tour some of the other race shops with the family, I’m pretty sure some of the other places you mentioned are on that tour.

[Terry D.]

Re: Speedway Regional

Well it's nice to know they roll the welcome mat out for some people. As I said I was very disappointed in DEI. It's a huge complex and yet the tourist gets to see very little.

Now the afternoon I spent at Hendrick Motor Sports was very enjoyable and you could spend the whole day at Childress.I can see why Junior wants controlling interest, Teresa is too busy with her Foundation to care about the fans.Just my old two cents.
Terry