Seattle

[Toejam]

Just looked at the entry list, Ron and Craig Smith in TF Dragster? I hadn't heard Craig Smith's name in 10 years, and I seen Ron Smith in 5 years or so. Oh well they list 18 Dragsters for Seattle.

 

[clwill]

Perhaps so. But that heat during the 2006 race sure felt like more than a 100 degrees for many of us Pacific Northwesterners who aren't used to that stuff.

Oh, no doubt. I sweated it out too.

After 16 years here, I've become an Official Pacific Northwest Weather Weenie -- freezing? a snowflake? They're on the news with "film at 11" of the reporter standing next to a frozen puddle. Over 80? They're telling you to "check on the elderly and make sure your pet has water".

Sheesh... when I lived in the midwest, it wasn't hot until it was 3 digits, or cold over zero.

 

[Suzie Q]

It is friggin' hot here in Texas..............THE HUMIDITY IS SOOOOOO THICK!

I walked outside and my glasses fogged up immediately. I am blind enough as it is, I don't need my glasses foggin' up!

I envy Seattle right now!!!

 

[none]

It is friggin' hot here in Texas..............THE HUMIDITY IS SOOOOOO THICK!

I walked outside and my glasses fogged up immediately. I am blind enough as it is, I don't need my glasses foggin' up!

I envy Seattle right now!!!

What do mean "right now?" People envy Seattle ALWAYS!

 

[none]

It is friggin' hot here in Texas..............THE HUMIDITY IS SOOOOOO THICK!

I walked outside and my glasses fogged up immediately. I am blind enough as it is, I don't need my glasses foggin' up!

I envy Seattle right now!!!

What do mean "right now?" People envy Seattle ALWAYS!
The humidity is rarely over about 45%. Not a lot of snow.
However we won't talk about 6 weeks straight of rain at times.
Opps! I did not mean to double post.I guess the sunshine has softened my brain & I forgot to just edit above post

 

[None]

11 miles as the crow flies and I think I'll float in the pool and drink wine coolers. Can't even stand the TV coverage anymore.

 

[NHRAMike]

I also like The Ram in downtown Kent (haha, downtown, sorry that makes me chuckle) for a good beer.

Ugh. I have spent too much time in Issaquah during the past year. Hubby works up there now. Haven't actually been to the pub there. Stan's Barbecue there on Front Street also has some good grub. Flying Pie has great pizza.

Alan, I'll give you my number if you make sure NHRA issues me my media credential! LOL.

Kris, Exactly where in beautiful downtown Kent (yeah that IS an oxymoron) is Ram?
After a long day at the track, there's nothing I love more than a few IPAs.
OK OK OK, after a long day ANYWHERE, there's nothing I love more than a few IPAs

 

[RacinMadness]

I will be there Friday and Saturday for sure. Sunday looks hopeful. PM me if anyone wants to meet up.

 

[Rich]

Kris, Exactly where in beautiful downtown Kent (yeah that IS an oxymoron) is Ram?
After a long day at the track, there's nothing I love more than a few IPAs.
OK OK OK, after a long day ANYWHERE, there's nothing I love more than a few IPAs

You're absolutely right about that. IPA's are the best (I say as I take another sip of BridgePort).

Almost wish I was going to the race. Wouldn't mind checking downtown Kent to see how the new T-Birds facility is progressing.

 

[Wayne]

What do mean "right now?" People envy Seattle ALWAYS!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
So very true!!!

 

[Wayne]

Kris, Exactly where in beautiful downtown Kent (yeah that IS an oxymoron) is Ram?

ROTFLMAO!!!
Damn, you "Mikes" are killing me!!!

 

[sparky]

Beautiful downtown Kent!? Now that has me raising an eyebrow.

More like beautiful suburban sprawl. I'm not sure there is a downtown. Maybe west of Central Ave. I don't know.

Its just one of those places most people would just as soon avoid. Traffic from hell. Lets not even think about Renton/Tukwila!!! Yikes!!!

 

[NHRAMike]

Hey Joe, (where you goin' with that gun in your hand?) Have you spoke with Bill Nychay about the maters meeting up after Friday's qualifying sessions at the VegasFuel pit?

 

[NHRAMike]

Last month, me and a friend came up to the White River Amphitheater to see IRON MAIDEN !!!!! and we were only to find a room in the Days Inn on Meeker St. Well, after the show we were trying to find a quick bite before heading back to the hotel and the only thing I could think of was the Wendy's at Smith and Central. Let's just say that there would be no confusing this area with the Redmond Town Center

 

[Kris]

Kris, Exactly where in beautiful downtown Kent (yeah that IS an oxymoron) is Ram?
After a long day at the track, there's nothing I love more than a few IPAs.
OK OK OK, after a long day ANYWHERE, there's nothing I love more than a few IPAs

It's at Kent Station. Kent Station
That is right across the street from the Regional Justice Center. My office used to be just a few minutes away.

Beautiful downtown Kent!? Now that has me raising an eyebrow.

More like beautiful suburban sprawl. I'm not sure there is a downtown. Maybe west of Central Ave. I don't know.

Its just one of those places most people would just as soon avoid. Traffic from hell. Lets not even think about Renton/Tukwila!!! Yikes!!!

Yeah. I would say "downtown" is a stretch but that's what they call it in City Hall. Heh. As I said, just the thought of "downtown" Kent makes me chuckle.

Oh my gosh, yes, stay far away from Tukwila (aka Southcenter) and anywhere near the 405/169 interchange and basically all of Rainier Avenue South especially near the 405/167 interchange. Ick. Unless you want to go to Popeye's which is on Rainier Ave and 7th Street.

I am so glad that my office is now in Maple Valley so my work and home life are within a few miles of one another. I probably won't even get on Highway 18 this year to get to the track.

Last month, me and a friend came up to the White River Amphitheater to see IRON MAIDEN !!!!! and we were only to find a room in the Days Inn on Meeker St. Well, after the show we were trying to find a quick bite before heading back to the hotel and the only thing I could think of was the Wendy's at Smith and Central. Let's just say that there would be no confusing this area with the Redmond Town Center

Isn't White River great? Except for the traffic getting out after the show. Ick.

Yeah, it's still Kent, and there was a reason the Almost Live! crew made fun of it back in the day. The big hair may be gone but it's not lost all of its so-called charms.

But, Kent Station does have some nice stuff to offer, including The Ram as well as Duke's Chowder House if you don't want to drive all the way to Seattle or Des Moines for some good seafood. I personally found the Zephyr Bar & Grill a bit overpriced because this certainly is not Redmond.

If you don't wish to travel so far from the track, if you take State Route 18 east from Pacific Raceways, get off at the very next exit and hang a right you'll find a few decent places to eat or grab a beer. I like the bartenders at Applebee's (on the north side of Southeast 272nd) and The Rock wood fired pizza is pretty good stuff. Like The Ram, The Rock offers its own brands of beer, which I happen to enjoy on a Saturday evening from time to time.

THE ROCK WOOD FIRED PIZZA : HELL YEAH THAT'S GOOD PIZZA

And Red Robin is my personal favorite. The new one in Covington is much closer to the track (and therefore my house). Trust me. Besides a fair number of the folks who were working at the Kent Red Robin are now at the one in Covington. All the good ones, IMO.

Anyway, I am very excited for this weekend. I'm sure that's not totally transparent.

 

[NHRAMike]

Kris, I really lucked out about the traffic. The morning of the show, I went to White River's website and read about the shuttle buses that run from the supermall to the amphitheater. The ride up took about 35 minutes but on the ride back to the mall, I noticed that they were diverting car traffic to who knows where, and letting the buses go back down the way they came. Had I driven the car I'd have got my a$$ so lost that I'd probably still be trying to find my way back to Portland. If the extra $12 "convience fee" goes to paying for the buses, I'd use it every time.

So, when it comes to microbrews, besides Rogue who has the most/best taps in the general area?

Oh, for anyone staying in Auburn do yourself a favor. Do Not Take Hwy 18 to the track on Saturday or Sunday. Take Hwy 167 to Willis St. Go east on Willis to Central, turn left on Central, then turn right on Smith. Take Smith up the hill. When the road forks just past 104th, stay right onto Kent-Kangley road, then turn right on 132nd (safeway grocery store). Follow 132nd to the end, and turn left at the light and this will drop you onto 304th which is where you'd exit from Hwy 18. If you do take this way, just look over the bridge onto Hwy 18 when you're on 304th and you'll see why this is way quicker.

 

[Angelo]

I'll be there all 3 days! I sure hope that weather forcast holds up, sure beats the Hell out of the 100's they've had there in the past!

Hey Joe, call me when you get into town. We need to get together and hang a little!

 

[Kris]

Kris, I really lucked out about the traffic. The morning of the show, I went to White River's website and read about the shuttle buses that run from the supermall to the amphitheater. The ride up took about 35 minutes but on the ride back to the mall, I noticed that they were diverting car traffic to who knows where, and letting the buses go back down the way they came. Had I driven the car I'd have got my a$$ so lost that I'd probably still be trying to find my way back to Portland. If the extra $12 "convience fee" goes to paying for the buses, I'd use it every time.

So, when it comes to microbrews, besides Rogue who has the most/best taps in the general area?

Oh, for anyone staying in Auburn do yourself a favor. Do Not Take Hwy 18 to the track on Saturday or Sunday. Take Hwy 167 to Willis St. Go east on Willis to Central, turn left on Central, then turn right on Smith. Take Smith up the hill. When the road forks just past 104th, stay right onto Kent-Kangley road, then turn right on 132nd (safeway grocery store). Follow 132nd to the end, and turn left at the light and this will drop you onto 304th which is where you'd exit from Hwy 18. If you do take this way, just look over the bridge onto Hwy 18 when you're on 304th and you'll see why this is way quicker.

Those shuttles are a lifesaver. Because of where we live we approach the amphitheater from the opposite direction but before we moved down this way we always took the shuttle buses.

And good advice on the driving directions. Anyone who gives people directions out to the track tells them to go SR 18 East and it becomes a parking lot. Though last year for the first time there was a bit of a line coming off SR 18 westbound. But not as bad as the other direction.

As far as beers and most taps, I'm not sure for the South King County area, but if you're willing to drive to Bellevue I'd suggest going to the Taphouse Grill. If I remember right they have 100+ different types of beer on tap.

Tap House Grill: A Contemporary Restaurant and Bar

On the other hand, I've got at least a half rack left of Blue Moon, Bridgeport IPA and Henry Weinhardt's IPA left in my fridge from the Fourth.

 

[clwill]

I really lucked out about the traffic. The morning of the show, I went to White River's website and read about the shuttle buses that run from the supermall to the amphitheater.<snip...>

White River is a great facility, but getting in and out is a complete nightmare. They really shouldn't have allowed them to build it without fixing the access roads.

Oh, for anyone staying in Auburn do yourself a favor. Do Not Take Hwy 18 to the track on Saturday or Sunday.<snip...>

You're right, stay off 18 East, I've had friends miss Round 1 because of the backup. But 18 West is a dream. I've never been backed up more than 10 cars coming West. So if there's a way to get around to it and come back from the East (going West on 18) that's the ticket.

 

[Wayne]

White River is a great facility, but getting in and out is a complete nightmare. They really shouldn't have allowed them to build it without fixing the access roads.

Sorry but compared to The Gorge, it's a hole in the Native-American owned ground! I was soooo happy that Rush went back to The Gorge for this years leg of the tour!!!

We return you back to your scheduled program!