Weekend before last I won VIP passes to the Porsche 250 races at Barber Motorsports Park. Though I had been to other races there in the past, I never had been in the paddock, or pit, area. These allowed me and the family to access the paddock area AND the hospitality suite which was indoors (and air-conditioned) with free food all day and TVs all around. Had a great time shooting photos, watching the crews prepare the cars and hanging around in a cool setting on a very hot weekend. Ran into some old friends,too. Darrell from college....turns out he is Facility Manager at the race track. Then Judy from high school who is married to a county commissioner. Also saw her daughter who looks much like her. I tagged along with her family as they stalked actor Patrick Dempsey, an avid Grand Am series race car driver. We also met Miss Alabama in the hospitality suite before she rode in the main sponsor’s car around the track before the main race. It was a good weekend at the track!