Scott and I met at the track around 9 and parked again by where we left our golf cart near turn 1. From there we went through the paddock for a stroll, and once again I seen Jim Roach, my former classmate who works for Yamaha, but he looked like he was on a mission, so didn’t bother trying to get his attention. While strolling the paddock, we made a stop and sat at the entrance to the track for the beginning of the Stock 1000 qualifying and then we headed for the outside of the area where the old Jimmy Mitchell bridge used to be for the baggers qualifying, and then to the kink for the Kramer bikes and I think super sports.
At one point Scott wanted to look at the vintage bikes on display, but the super bikes were out and I really wanted to watch some of their qualifying, as my main interest while at the races is to watch the bikes on the track vs. stand still ones. Haha! So I ventured to the new bridge over the straight away to the start finish line. They did an amazing job replacing the ped bridge which used to be there with one you can drive over. However, they need to add some ped lanes on both sides.
We also watched for a little while during the super sports on the inside of the Mitchell kink. We apparently got around a lot today!
And we decided to watch the super bikes race on the outside of turn five in the bleachers near the exit of turn 5. Although it was nice and sunny all day, the northeast wind brought in the cooler air off of Lake Michigan all day and I never took off my hoodie. However, did get sunburn on my face and tops of my feet, and a little on the back of my calves from when we stood in the kink.
I, of course, was rooting for Josh on the Ducati and he did not disappoint.
I swear it was a record crowd for today as well. I have never seen it so packed!
