This past weekend, I got the opportunity to experience something I hope all of you racing-lovers will enjoy one day. I not only attended, but worked, my first Rolex 24 at Daytona.

I was lucky enough to partner up with Oliver Webb, who was driving the LMP2 Morgan-Nissan with OAK Racing, to handle his PR. As my weekend plans started to progress rather quickly, I was filled with many thoughts; the first of those thoughts being “How in the heck am I supposed to stay awake for a 24 hour race?!” Yes, we’ve all pulled all-nighters in college, but those days seemed far removed from my memory. I started taking advice from many in the auto racing industry, most of whom assured me that staying up all night wouldn’t be necessary. However, once I got there, sleep seemed less and less like a feasible option.

Within any series, as race day approaches, my mom and I always joylessly texting each other “Happy Race Day!”…only this time, we got to text that message twice! So Saturday arrived and I felt like a kid on the first day of school. There was so much information I was trying to consume within the TUDOR United SportsCar Series that was new to me, and totally awesome at the same time.

We began the day with a public drivers meeting followed by the autograph session. If there is one thing I can’t stress enough, it is that auto racing (in any series) survives because of the awesome fans. There was a massive line formed for the autograph session at least two hours prior to the start. Fast forward to the pre-race festivities when Daytona International Speedway opens the gates for fans to fill pit lane, and you couldn’t move two inches to your left or right. That is the sign of loyal fan dedication.

As the green flag fell at 2:10pm, both drivers and teams alike were anxious to get things going. On-track, drivers were racing their hearts out as if the beginning of the race was a sprint rather than a marathon. The No. 42 OAK Racing machine had made it up to second, after starting 23^rd, just a few hours into the race with Webb behind the wheel.

However, the pace of the team quickly changed as the car suffered from alternator problems at 7:35pm and was taken into the garage for repairs. The crew members worked together extremely efficiently to have the car back in the race just 30 minutes later. While that setback was very unfortunate for a team that easily looked like it could finish on the podium, their teamwork and dedication to never give up was inspiring.

Following Oli’s first stint in the car, I was able to nap for about 45 minutes (which at the time seemed glorious!). However, before I went to sleep, another top priority of mine was to ride the famous Ferris wheel. I ran over to the infield and discovered why that stop is so highly recommended. The sound of race cars and a view unlike any other: perfection.

After my quick refresher, I quickly returned to the track for his second stint in the car, which was estimated to be around midnight. As the team’s drivers cycled through and stayed in the car for three stints instead of two, Oli didn’t go back out until 2:30am and finished around 4:45am.Talk about a mental challenge! I was downing coffee like it was going out of style.

Before we all knew it, daylight was approaching and brought a new wave of energy to an exhausted paddock. The morning hours then seemed to fly by and finally the last couple hours of the race were here. Then came the checkered flag! While our team was disappointed that the technical difficulty prevented the team from a podium finish, everyone was still proud of their never-give-up attitude.

As I left the track on Sunday evening, I couldn’t believe that the event we had all waited so long for had come and gone. It definitely reiterated in my mind that the race track is where my heart is truly alive and at home. I can’t wait to see what other adventures 2014 brings!