Michael Waltrip Racing

My 800^th review is for THE BEST NASCAR fan experience in any of the Race Shops — Michael Waltrip Racing. (and I am amazed that I am the first to review this place).
Moments after I entered an older gentleman wearing a 5 Hour Energy shirt and hat (one of the team sponsors) came up and welcomed me to the facility. His name is Dean and he is a tour guide for the facility. Yes a TOUR GUIDE — something I have never experienced at any NASCAR race shop. Dean gave me the brief overview of what I could see during my visit and said he would be checking with me a little later.
The tour is on the second floor, where visitors get an incredible view of many things unseen at other race shops. You will get a bird’s eye view of the machine shop, springs, gears and other areas where the many pieces that make up a NASCAR race car are prepared. TV screens are along many of the area with a video giving more detail of the activities you are seeing in that particular area. The entire viewing area is in the gift shop, with a great variety of apparel available for sale as well as things that are a bit more rare for fans to purchase, such as used sheet metal, pit wall banners, and even the real pit crew uniforms. Even had one of the driver’s uniforms available for purchase!
The tour/​gift shop opens up to what every fan enjoys the most — seeing the actual race cars. Fans get an unobstructed view of the car preparation area via a large catwalk, and you are free to take still photographs, but no video is permitted. Tour guide Dean caught up to me while I was on the catwalk and provided all sorts of great information about what I was seeing, and even was telling me about some of the employees I was seeing and how long they had worked here, etc. At the end of the catwalk are the MWR offices, and Dean happened to notice a certain person walking around and pointed towards him and said «I bet you know who that is!» He saw Dean and came out to say hello. I got to meet and photograph Michael Waltrip!
At most race shops this would be the end of what you get to see. but not here. a «behind the scenes» tour is available. Dean took me through the area with the race car haulers, the pit crew training area, and even into the chassis assembly area. All the time Dean was providing great information about what I was seeing and great information about what it takes to construct the cars and get them to the track and back.
NASCAR fans — put Michael Waltrip Racing down as a MUST SEE on your race shop trips. The true fan will appreciate the experience here.