Drive of a lifetime

Glenn King received a certificate and plaque after driving a Cup Stock Car.
(Town Crier photo/Revis Blaylock)

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Presents come in all size packages -- some can be used over and over and others are good for one time but will be remembered forever.

Glenn King of Leachville received the "thrill of a lifetime" Valentine's Day/first anniversary gift from his wife, Deborah. King recently drove a Cup Stock Car at the Memphis Motor Sports Park.

King said he has always been a fan of Nascar but never dreamed he would actually drive a car around the track.

"Evidently it is a popular gift item and sport," King said. "It is booked several months ahead of time."

King took his turn at the wheel on Sept. 9 and said the wait was well worth it.

The drivers do a ride-along with an instructor before taking the wheel. After the instructions, there are three to six cars on the track with an instructor in a lead car.

He ran 20 laps with the speed averaging 100 to 130 miles per hour around the three-fourth mile track. He said it felt like it was all curves.

King said as a rule, he is always a "speed limit" driver on the road and driving the high speed was exciting.

"The race cars do not drive like a street car," King said. "It is very sensitive but once you are belted in, you are not going anywhere."

"It gave me a whole new respect for the people who do this every week," King said.

In addition to King's drive, Mrs. King got to do a ride-a-long, also.

King said he saw people of all ages driving including an 88 year old grandfather.

"One of the first things the instructor said was we would receive a certificate of achievement and survival," King said.

He received a plaque with a picture, a certificate and he purchased the DVD of his drive.

"It was a thrill of a lifetime," King said. "I would recommend it as a perfect gift for anyone who likes Nascar."

King has lived in the Leachville area most of his life. He owns a small electrical business. He said after driving, he is even more of a fan than before. His favorite driver is Mac Kenseth #17, a teammate of Mark Martin.