It’s been 6 weeks since my last post so I’m pretty sure everyone in cyberspace has been asking themselves, “Where did Brandon Schnitzer go?” Well the answer is simple…no traveling = no posts. Lucky for all of us, my traveling hiatus ended this week as I flew to Dallas to promote Just Plugs at the Nitro Jam event in Crandall, TX.

For those of you who don’t know and I was one of them until a few months ago, Nitro Jam is one of the many drag racing series in these United States.  I’d have to say the coolest thing about “The Jam” (That’s what I call Nitro Jam) is that anyone can enter their personal hotrod in the Sportsman Races.  I saw everything from an old school 1930’s Ford to a beat-up pimped-out Texas Ranger SWAT car.  I wish I would have taken a picture of it because it was CLASSIC!

In regards to the event on-site, it ran fairly smoothly, although the weather wasn’t too great.  Overall I’d rate the event a 9, especially since it was our first one with a branded tent.  a|i|m introduced Just Plugs to a wide array of corporate sponsors of The Jam and its B2B sales are looking extremely promising.

As usual I’d like to thank my awesome brand ambassadors “aka Just Plugs Girls” for their help throughout the weekend.  It was pretty cool to hear them on the PA announcements plugging the brand…MUCH APPRECIATED!

Just Plugs brand ambassadors

Overall there weren’t any real crazy stories like usual, although I’m happy to say I finally had my first experience at Whataburger.  While I do agree that it freaking rules, it definitely does not compare to In-N-Out!  Whoever says that the two are comparable is sadly mistaken.

Two weeks off before my next endeavor in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I’ll get my cowboy hat ready, because I hear the Rodeo is in town! HI-YO!

Peace out interweb,

Schnitz

There are certain trips throughout the NASCAR season that really make you appreciate the excitement that comes along with traveling all over the country for your job…and, for me at least, Texas is certainly one of those trips for several reasons:

o   Dallas is easily one of my favorite cities in the country and I’ve always said that if there was one city that I would like to live in if I had to move from Atlanta, it would be Dallas.  It really reminds me a lot of Atlanta; a major metropolitan city with plenty to do but without all of the hoopla that you can expect to see in cities like L.A. or New York

o   This weekend marked the beginning of the end for the NASCAR season and after traveling for roughly thirty weekends this year, I can’t begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to spending time at home for a sustained period of time.  Note: I do have to give credit to NASCAR for ensuring that all of the final races in the last month of the season are in warm weather cities; trips to Dallas, Phoenix and Miami are certainly a great way to finish off a very long year. 

o   The hotel that we stayed at, the Marriott Solana, is easily one of my favorite hotels to visit.  The property features some really impressive architecture, nice rooms and a lobby bar that rivals that of any hotel bar I have ever been to; truly an enjoyable stay.

Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks to visiting a major city on the NASCAR circuit is that you can expect that it is always going to be a very busy weekend.  In our line of business, the work load that we have to handle is contingent on how many companies are activating at the track that week and it would only make sense that more companies will choose to activate at desirable locations.  For that reason, we knew beforehand that this was not going to be an easy weekend and that we would have to put in the extra effort to ensure that customer expectations were being met.  While there were several hiccups that we had to deal with, the weekend was ultimately a success and we plan on continuing to work towards finishing the season out strong.    

The lasting memory that I can take from the Texas trip is that of the scene in the waning moments of the amazing Texas vs. Texas Tech game.  The entire state of Texas, much like any SEC town, is completely enamored with college football and to be able to witness first hand the intensity that their fans have towards their team was truly a sight to see.  We started out watching the game at a local Hooters that was littered with Texas burnt orange throughout the restaurant.  Even though we were having a good time at first, we eventually had to leave because too many families strolled in (yes, families) and it was taking way too long for us to get a beer.  (Note: I personally do not understand the logic behind taking children to Hooters for the simple fact that you are eventually going to have to explain to them exactly why you wanted to go there in the first place but whatever, to each their own).  Anyways, we headed back to the hotel bar and were able to watch the second half with a wide array of both Texas and Texas Tech fans.  For those of you who got to see the game, you know exactly how great of a contest it was and to be able to watch with fans of each side only added to the experience.  When your team is having a year like mine is (Auburn), you learn to appreciate great games like this one that much more. 

Anyways, the much anticipated close to the season is right around the corner so I will next be joining you from beautiful Miami, Florida.  Can’t think of too many places I would rather be in the middle of November; should be a good time…

Tyler Hargrove

As you may know (if you read my blogs), my blogs are usually filled with sarcastic remarks and playful gripes about my recent adventures but, unfortunately, a tragic event that happened the night before Trackside opened at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) on Thursday is leading me to write a somber and melancholy entry this time…

As Brandon and I arrived at the track Thursday morning, we received shocking and horrible news that the son of Bill Jacobs, the district contact for Atlanta, had been killed in a car accident the night before.  Throughout my tenure at a|i|m, Bill has remained as the district contact for the event at AMS each time and I have had the opportunity to get to know how him and develop a relationship with him.  He is the type of guy that would bend over backwards to help someone out.

Needless to say, the news of this tragedy cast a shadow over the entire weekend and put the weekend’s work in perspective.  It seems that too often we are so engulfed with our jobs and our day-to-day tasks that we sometimes forget to take a step back and look at the big picture.  To hear of this 22-year-old’s life ending will make anyone appreciate the good happening in their lives and to value it as much as possible. 

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family, Bill. 

Tyler Hargrove

What can possibly be said to sum up a trip to Talladega, unofficially known as “the heart of NASCAR country?”  I’ll try my best but please heed to this disclaimer: you can never truly experience ‘Dega until you visit there yourself.  No blog, movie or second-hand story can possibly describe the scene that you will encounter at this little slice of heaven.  Let’s just say that there is a reason that Will Ferrell and Co. chose this track as the setting for their parody of the NASCAR world.  Jeff Foxworthy best described it in April 2007, while serving as the grand marshal for the NSCS race, by saying that “after visiting this place, I have all the redneck jokes I could possibly ever need.”  For a true NASCAR fan, it is like the Wrigley Field of racing…a place that you have got to experience at least one time.  Since this is a G-rated blog, I’m not going to touch on some of the spectacles that you can expect to see in ‘Dega but I will tell you that it’s a nonstop party at each of the numerous campgrounds and although everybody is there for a good time, it is not always for the faint of heart…

We had already achieved a minor miracle about a month before the event in that we were able to actually locate a decent hotel close to the track.  The areas surrounding the track make Bristol look like New York City so you can only imagine the difficulty in finding a decent place within a reasonable distance.  With thanks to Gerling Sports (our travel agency), we were able to reserve a room at the Comfort Inn in Oxford, located roughly fifteen minutes from the track.  While it wasn’t exactly the Ritz-Carlton, it was a surprisingly decent hotel that far exceeded the expectations I originally had for it, which was important as we were planning on spending the majority of our time away from the track at the hotel given the surroundings.  Not too much of a night life in Oxford, AL…

From a business standpoint, the weekend could not have gone much smoother.  While we generally enjoy working with each of the district workers on a weekly basis, none have been quite as accommodating as the Talladega employees.  Throughout the weekend, they continually treated Chris and me with the utmost respect while ensuring that they were fulfilling their obligations.  With their help, we were able to ensure that our customers were taken care of throughout the duration of a very busy weekend.  It was certainly a pleasure to work with them and we look forward to seeing Gay and the rest of the crew next season. 

This was a weekend that I had circled on my calendar for a while because, in my mind at least, it marked the end of a long stretch of trips that seemed to all run together.  Following this trip, the remainder of my travel schedule consists of Atlanta (my hometown), Dallas (always one of my favorite cities to visit) and Miami (no need for an explanation as to why I’m looking forward to this one) to close out the season.  We are coming closer and closer to the light at the end of the tunnel and the closing of a long but unforgettable 2008 season. 

Tyler Hargrove

By no means am I trying to bash the first state of our great country (what a good trivia question by the way), but I can think of quite a few places I would rather travel to twice in one year than Dover, DE.  Just to recap the past couple of months of travel for me…I’ve been to Watkins Glen, NY; Brooklyn, MI; Bristol, TN (for the third time this year) and Dover, DE with a trip to Talladega, AL still looming.  Needless to say, I don’t think I paid enough attention to the second part of the season when we were determining our travel schedules for the year.  Now I know what the UGA football team feels like with their brutal road schedule.  I don’t mean to sound bitter but it still baffles me that NASCAR insists on keeping two races per year at locations such as Dover while Las Vegas only has one.  For a sport that is trying to attract a new wave of fans to supplement the already established fan base, it doesn’t make much sense that they wouldn’t try to take advantage of their huge race markets more than they do…or maybe I just really want to go back to Vegas.

The especially frustrating thing about Dover International Speedway (DIS) is the fact that there are no tunnels leading to the infield.  While this may seem like not that big of a deal to your typical race worker, it is a huge deal when the program you work in consists of delivering packages.  Once the track goes “hot” (the term used for when cars are on the track), the only way to get to the infield is through a pedestrian bridge found between turns two and three; not exactly the most conducive environment for Trackside Services.  My frustrations with the facilities would escalate even more every time I would drive by “Miles the Monster”, the 40-foot-tall monster statue built prior to this season.  It is actually a pretty cool statue but you have to wonder exactly how much money it cost to build it; money that could have gone towards funding for construction of a damn tunnel.  I guess the “Monster Mile” marketing campaign funds trump that of the track logistical department.  Anyways, it is rumored that Bruton Smith, aka the Donald Trump of NASCAR, is looking to purchase DIS (currently an independent track) and I’m sure he will do just like he has with everyone of his other properties: completely change everything to what he wants to see. 

With all of this being said, this trip to Dover was much better than the first.  Our hotel was located right by the track so we did not have to worry about a 45 minute drive back and forth each day and we found a great all-you-can-eat sushi place located on the main strip of Dover (if there is such a thing).  By no means was it the best sushi I’ve ever had, but it was definitely the first time I’ve ever to been to an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant and we certainly took advantage of it.  On top of that, the weather was absolutely perfect; whereas it was roughly 95 degrees and muggy when we departed from Atlanta, the high all week in Dover was 80 with not a cloud in the sky.  I guess Dover really isn’t all that bad after all…

While I get to enjoy next weekend off, Brandon and Chris will be headed to the great plains of Kansas for the Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway. 

Until next time…

Tyler Hargrove

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain the joy I felt when I found out I was going to Martinsville, VA – by myself.  Think of all the sights you can visit: Piggly Wiggly, Joe’s Pizzeria and of course, my personal favorite, Pigs R Us Bar-B-Q.  Needless to say, when I landed in Greensboro on Wednesday, I was ecstatic!

The weekend couldn’t have started off any better.  I got off the plane, grabbed my bags and immediately made my way over to grab my rental car.  Since I landed an hour later than scheduled, they gave away my car and offered me another personal favorite, Chevy HHR.  As Tyler stated earlier in his post about Bristol, this car dominates.  It has three speeds, otherwise known as drive, neutral and high gear. It even has power steering.  After a few minutes of groveling, they upgraded me to a Chrysler Sebring. I was riding in style. 

Apparently, no one every told Garmin that there are two Interstate 40’s in Greensboro (one is the business road) because I drove at least 30 minutes out of the way to get to the hotel.  After a good night’s sleep, I was pumped for my initial drive over to “the ‘ville” (that’s what I call Martinsville because it’s such a cool place). By the way, did I tell you that Greensboro is AN HOUR away from Martinsville?  Hiyo, I got to drive that route twice everyday with cops checking their radar guns like hawks every ten miles.  It was amazing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many state troopers on a state road before, at least seven during the hour-long drive.

I’m just going to list the reasons why the Trackside was so fun this weekend:

·         We didn’t have a tent since there was nowhere to set it up – which was lovely

·         The Trackside golf cart broke down – which was lovely

·         I stood outside in the rain for three hours on Friday (no UPS truck) – which was lovely

·         My Missouri Tigers got spanked by Texas on national television – which was lovely

·         Motorsports Catering wasn’t there – which REALLY was lovely

Although I like to complain a lot and people in our office can attest to that fact, I do really think the district did a good job.  I even went as far as telling my coworkers at the office that it was the smoothest Trackside operation all year, to which they laughed in my face (thanks for that Hargrove).  Overall I had a good time in Martinsville and I am counting down the days until March, when I get to go back there again.

See you in Atlanta,

Brandon

P.S.  Everyone who makes the trek to Martinsville needs to have a Martinsville Hot Dog.  AWESOME!

I think most people celebrate their birthday for at least two days every year.  I’m one of the lucky few that was able to celebrate it in two cities (Atlanta and Kansas City), let alone, two days.  Since I’m originally from St. Louis, most of my friends from high school moved to Kansas City after they graduated from Mizzou or KU and all were happy to oblige in celebrating my week of debauchery. 

Apparently Kansas City has changed a little in the five years it’s been since I last visited…no longer is “The Plaza” the place to be.  The new “Power and Light District” might be the coolest attraction I’ve seen all year.  It’s like Vegas, but maybe a little crazier.  I recommend everyone take the trek to Kansas City just for the sights and sounds the P and L District.

After this weekend, I’ll have to admit, it’s pretty cool going to a track so close to home…I was finally able to get my parents garage credentials to a race.  They’re not big NASCAR fans by any means; but driving them VIP around the track and walking them onto pit road definitely was a cool experience for them.  I’ll never forget watching my dad trying to talk to his friends and explain how he met Joe Gibbs just a few minutes earlier, all while standing behind the UPS pit stall during the race.  

I’m sure after everything you’ve read so far, you’re probably wondering if we actually did any work during the weekend.  The simple answer would be yes…and we did a ton!  Since Kansas Speedway is a high-priority event for most hospitality teams, UPS TSS was busy throughout the whole weekend.  Although the inbound volume was pretty heavy, we were extremely efficient in our delivery times, to which I have to thank the local crew.  Due to their quick delivery response, Trackside ran without a hitch and with zero temporarily missing packages.  If all districts are this proficient, it will only make a|i|m’s job that much easier in the coming seasons.

As usually, it’s always fun talking to the World Wide Web, maybe one of these days you’ll respond to my dominating posts…

Thanks for stopping by,

Brandon

Compared to my previous trip to Bristol, Tennessee, our visit to Richmond might as well have been a European vacation.  This is no knock on Bristol, which is the quintessential NASCAR town, but more of an indictment of the life that I’ve become accustomed to by living in Atlanta for almost all of my life.  By no means is Richmond a metropolitan hub, but I always enjoy coming here…you don’t have to worry about the hustle and bustle that you become accustomed to in a major city and there’s a real nice downtown area littered with all types of good local bars and restaurants. 

In addition to that, the track is actually located in the city of Richmond so there is never an issue with finding a hotel nearby (we stayed at the Crowne Plaza, which is fantastic) or getting to and from the airport.  Note: this definitely cannot be said about many of the tracks on the NASCAR circuit. I love the fact that it takes me 45 minutes to drive to Atlanta Motor Speedway when I actually live in Atlanta but whatever, I guess Hampton, GA doesn’t sound too appealing…(then again, they are NASCAR fans so you never know…that’s neither here or there though, I’m going to move on before I get into trouble) 

The story of the weekend was the weather.  Even before we made it to Richmond, we heard over and over again that there was going to be rain all weekend long and that NASCAR would be lucky to get the race in.  Needless to say, this is not exactly what you want to hear when you have to travel on a regular basis.  Even though I do enjoy visiting Richmond (as I mentioned above), life on the road makes you appreciate time spent back home and to take away a day in which you’re expecting to be there is quite a letdown.  Now I normally don’t ever put too much credibility in weather reports because they are usually way off more times than not but in this case they were dead on.  Just as predicted, the storms rolled in on a Friday night and carried over to Saturday (thank you Hurricane Hannah).  It did not take NASCAR long to push both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races back to Sunday from their original schedules of Friday and Saturday night, respectively.  While it was disappointing to hear that we would indeed be hanging around for one more day, our spirits were quickly lifted when it dawned on us that we had no work to do on Saturday. 

A day in which we originally anticipated to be working over 12 hours at the track transpired into several hours at the local Buffalo Wild Wings watching one college football game after another with other NASCAR workers who had nothing to do as well.  There have been many fun days on the road throughout the year but I would have to say that this Saturday might have topped them all. 

After our festive Saturday, we were ready for Sunday to be over with so that we could head out.  Luckily, the storm clouds had rolled out Saturday night and Sunday turned into a beautiful day for racing.  This particular Sprint cup race was crucial for several of the drivers as it was the last one before the Chase for the Sprint Cup and while it was make or break time for a few that were still on the cusp of being left out, the real story of the day (at least in our UPS world) was the impressive show put on by David Reutimann.  Although he finished the day in 9^th place, “Reutty” was in the lead for a race high 104 laps.  Following a slow start to the season, he has turned things around recently and his Richmond performance is further proof of how far he has come as a driver since the beginning of the year. 

We were finally able to head out first thing in the morning on Monday after a very long weekend.  I normally can’t ever fall asleep on a plane but I was out like a light before we even took off.  It was just that kind of a week…

Next week, Chris Argano is clipping his wings and flying solo up in lovely New Hampshire.  Meanwhile, I’ll be enjoying some time off before heading out to “the Monster Mile” in Dover, Delaware.  Until next time…

Tyler Hargrove

We try our best to keep this blog from being egotistical, but it’s Friday, so all rules were thrown out the window this morning at 8:30 am. Last week, the #44 UPS Camry of David Reutimann, sported a pretty sweet paint scheme. The paint scheme is a reflection of the UPS philanthropic endeavor, Toys for Tots. Our very own Mark McEnaney a.k.a. “Creative Guy” was the mastermind behind the look, so today, we salute you, Mr. McEnaney.

We usually keep Mark in the bowels of the office with only a banana and Mac computer, but today we are going to vote on whether or not to let him join the team during our lunch hour – right now, it doesn’t look good.