CNN iReport

I love NASCAR because it has helped my aunt Dafney tremendously.  Her daughter Haylee - my cousin- died on Oct 30, 2004.  Needless to say my aunt was inconsolable.  After Haylee was gone Daf began to search for her daughter- connect with her anyway she could.  NASCAR was one of those ways.  My aunt looks forward to EVERY single race.  Every weekend while the race is on I cannot get her on the phone because she is online listening to Jeff Gordon on her trackpass (NASCAR fans know what this is).  It takes her out of her life for a few hours- no longer a teacher, a mom, or the bereaved- no- no longer- for a few hours she gets to be a NASCAR driver!  She is right in that car with Jeff- when he gets slammed- she gets slammed, when he gets shut-out, she gets shut-out.  She is so furious when someone takes him out, especially in the last 5 laps.  And she stands right up in her living room and lets loose on whoever has trespassed against Jeff- I think Jeff would be proud.

My aunt bought tickets to Martinsville last year.  She took me, Haylee's aunt Donna, and Haylee's best friend Mandi.  We had a blast- I couldn't believe how excited Daf was.  She was jumping out of her skin.  But I kinda understood when I felt the rumble of those engines vibrate through me.   Haylee was there with us the entire time.  It was very healing.  The first two Pics are of us in Martinsville and the second 2 are of Haylee who I know was sitting right there screaming with us.

I'm submitting this on behalf of my aunt Dafney and my cousin Haylee.   If you want to have fun in Atlanta- these are the girls to take!