My wife, like the wives of many gearheads, is a living saint. She puts up with an awful lot for my automotive pursuits. Before we had the two boys, Kerri would often be riding shotgun to exotic locations with me as I went off to announce races, cover races, or watch races. We’re talking really exclusive places like Maryland, West Virginia, or in the case of this photo, Ohio.
The year was 2002 and she and I had both just graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Her with a nearly perfect GPA and me, well, I leared how to spell GPA my senior year. Regardless, we both had our degrees and the world was our oyster.
In typical gearhead fashion, I had committed myself to covering a race at Thompson Drag Raceway, a totally bitchin’ little track in Thompson, Ohio, just days after our graduation. Kerri decided to come along for the ride and to be part of the adventure. About ten miles into the trip the A/C in my truck quit and the driver’s window switch also quit working. We drove almost all the way to Ohio with the passenger windown down, and getting food and paying tolls were interesting experiences.
The race I was covering was the first ever Gasser Reunion. It was a very cool deal at the perfect nostalgic track. Ohio has always been a drag racing hub, and back then, the state boasted several hard running Gassers, so the location was perfect.
On Saturday, Kerri had taken my truck to cruise the local area while I was shooting photos and hanging out at the track doing my thing. Upon her arrival, we grabbed a tube steak and a Coke. She had to use the ladies room. Milliseconds after entering she ran back out and demanded I hand over my camera. Obviously interested in the possibilities of this situation I handed it over. This was a film camera, so I had no idea what she shot and she wouldn’t tell, although she was laughing pretty hard.
It would be one thing to see this scrawled on a men’s bathroom stall door, but in the ladies room? Thompson had some hard core female fans, and at least one that didn’t win a spelling bee.
You’re a lucky man BL..Kerri’s the best!!
Yes she is! I know them both and have spent at least a bit of time with both of ’em. Why she chose a gearhead is beyond me (but I can’t figure out why ME picked me) but at least she chose a great guy. I like Brian a lot, too.
Dan
Who say’s women don’t know anything about High Performance Cars! As a big Oldsmobile fan, I like that message! Thanks to your girlfriend for catching that!
Joe