Saturday, November 15, 2014

Hometown Getaway

If you don't know my dad, he can have these brilliant ideas at last minute. Well, with college, a full time internship and a job, moving things around last minute can be stressful. A few weeks ago I got a phone call later at night from Frank. He was asking me what I was packing for the weekend. I was completely unaware that we were even taking a road trip and I was already scheduled to work. I asked him where we were going and he said your favorite place. The answer could only be Fremont, Ohio. 
It just so happened that this weekend was the World of Outlaws show at Fremont Speedway. As the week continued on I was gleaming with excitement. 

When Friday finally rolled around I could not contain myself, I was ready to leave! Unfortunately, I had to work till five at my internship. I was working as quickly as possible to get everything done in hopes that I would be able to leave early. Well, I did! I called dad right away and told him to get ready that I was on my way home! 

Fremont is an eight hour drive from our house in North Carolina. I can't even remember the last time I got to take a road trip with just my dad. Fremont has a special place in the entire Kerr families heart.  Frank Kerr is kind of like the hometown hero. I hear they still see his t-shirts from time to time. Even though my dad is from Pennsylvania he still considers Fremont Speedway as his hometown track. 

I met my parents on the side of I-77, of course I got yelled at for the amount of stuff I packed for only two days. I over pack for everything. There is never a dull moment with my dad and I. Basically the entire way in the car we sang, laughed and talked about the future. My future is something we talk about a lot. I am about to graduate college and it is time to start planning it. Dad wants to help me in every way possible. 

We arrived to the Linder's house in Fremont a little before midnight. They were up waiting for us with a cold beer in hand. We were both in dying need after being in the car all night! The boys got hooked on iracing right away, the girls went a picked up pizza for everyone. I was starving, dad has a limited stop policy when he drives. 

I fell asleep on the couch as they continued to have a good time. Saturday was going to be a long and busy day for everyone. I slept great in "my room." I woke up early to start getting ready for the day. Dad followed shortly after and kicked me out of the bathroom. After morning festivities and a few meetings, we went to dads favorite place to eat Whitey's. Everything you get there could possibly give you a heart attack but it taste awesome! 

After visiting a few friends it was finally time to head over to the track. Dad's schedule was tight and it was my job to make sure he was everywhere he need be on time. First on his list was an autograph signing at the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame along side Kerry Madsen. It was great seeing the smile on his face and all the old fans welcoming him back. 

We finally got a short break to walk around visit everyone. I can't tell you how many times I get "I remember when you were this big." I feel bad when I don't remember half these people in the first place. As we are walking through the pits a man stopped and asked if he could talk to my dad. Well, I did not see a problem in that. I pulled dad aside and turns out this man was making a documentary on old and new sprint car racing. 

Frank was more then happy to sit down and do an interview but this is when our night got crazy! We were on a time schedule and we all know racers could talk forever about the industry they love. They set the camera in the Hall of Fame in from of Jim Linder's old car. The man conducting the interview had many great questions about Frank's history and thoughts. 

What really got me was the man who tapped me on the shoulder during dad's interview. I turned around and he goes "how does it feel to have a famous racing father?" I did not really have an answer. I had never considered my dad famous before. I just smiled and pulled some corny answer out of no where. 

Before the race started the speedway was presenting Steve Kinser, The King, a plaque and inducting him into the Hall of Fame. My dad got the honor of being apart of this special moment. Frank raced with Steve for many years. It is always sad seeing a racer retire, no matter who they happen to be. 

When things finally calmed down Dad and I walked to the infield to watch the heat races and the feature. Dad does not miss a single lap. It was actually the first time we had ever watch from the infield at Fremont Speedway. 

You can see the joy on dad's face when he gets to see everyone that he misses so much. There is a good amount of racers still out from the good ol' days. The still remain like family to us. 

After the race we went the Fricker's and had a few drinks. We also needed to thaw out, it was a cold night. Leaving Sunday morning was bitter sweet. The trip was short but it was great seeing everyone. The only thing we looked forward to was seeing the dogs, yes the dogs. We miss them more than anyone when we are gone! Hopefully we will be returning soon. I miss everyone like crazy already! 


Friday, November 14, 2014

My Best Friend, My Hero and My Dad

If you can't already tell, I am a daddy's girl! I have been since the day I was born. He has been my hero and my best friend my entire life. 

My dad has a long racing history, as many of you know, but we will save that for another blog post! 

 I grew up around the infamous blue and orange 23s and traveling from dirt track to dirt track. I was seven years old when my dad retired from sprint car racing.He retired in victory lane at Fremont Speedway in the middle of Ohio Sprint Speedweek. 

Shortly after his retirement from racing we packed up and moved to North Carolina, where we have been for almost 15 years. I don't think is surprised anyone that Frank could not get out of racing. After all, racing is what he knows best. 

Frank started his career in NASCAR. He currently is still in NASCAR as a Sprint Cup crew chief. He has worked with many different drivers and teams over the years. Drivers like Marcos Ambrose, Bobby Labonte and Robby Gordon to name a few. 

Even though I am off at college, my dad and I have still remained extremely close. We call each other multiple times a day. He is constantly texting me asking how his grand dog is doing, Oliver is definitely a pop-pop's boy. 

Like most racing families, we bond over racing. Every chance I get I am at the track with my dad, dirt or asphalt. This past year I went to the Daytona 500 for the first time and Talladega for my 21st birthday. They easily were two of the greatest racing weekends I have ever experienced, from what I can remember. 

As much as we love NASCAR there is nothing like dirt racing to the Kerr family. Our schedules keep us extremely busy which enables us from going to more dirt races. We finally got a chance to go to World Finals this year in Charlotte. I know dad had a blast visiting everyone and reminiscing on the good ol' days of racing. Anyone could look at him and tell that he was dying to get back into a sprint car. Who knows, maybe soon he will. 

A Little Bit About Me

Hey y'all!

I probably should start by telling everyone a little bit about myself. My name is Samantha Kerr, most people know me as Sami. 

I am a senior at Appalachian State University, go mountaineers! I will be graduating this upcoming May. I am majoring in public relations and communication studies with a minor in marketing. 

I have a 15 month old golden retriever named Oliver. I am the typical obsessed dog mom and very proud of it! That fur ball is my entire world!!

I live in North Carolina. My older brother, Frankie, is off dominating in the business world with his fiancĂ© Sarah and their black lab George. 
With Frankie gone and me at college, my parents are experiencing an empty nest. Speaking of my parents, I'm sure thats why all of you are actually reading my blog.

A lot of you might recognize my last name. Yes, Frank Kerr is my father. My dad raced the famous 23s sprint car for many years, after he retired from racing, we moved to North Carolina where Frank started his career in NASCAR. 

I was blessed to be born into a racing family. I wish everyone had the same awesome experiences I did growing up in the racing community. I will admit when I was younger I hated the dirt races, I did not like getting dirty. That feeling completely changed as I got a bit older and my love for the sport and the community continues to grow everyday. 

Many people wonder where Frank is now and what happened to the Kerr family. Well, I am here to clear all that up! I am starting this blog to keep everyone updated on what the Kerr family is doing in racing these days.