I’m sure
most of my readers have already heard the news that I got an amazing opportunity
this past weekend for my blog! I got to participate in the “Strong like Steel”
campaign hosted by Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) all the way in
Atlanta, GA! Even though the amazing weekend my husband and I had is over, I
still am in shock that I even got picked to go!
So what was
I doing and why? I got to go behind the scenes
and watch my first NASCAR race! Little did I know how much I would actually be
learning during our spontaneous getaway about STEEL and the benefits of using
it.
SMDI partnered
with the Atlanta Motor Speedway to sponsor the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Folds
of Honor Quik Trip 500. They selected 4 ambassadors to attend the event with a
guest in order to spread awareness about why #SteelMatters. I got picked to be
one of those ambassadors!!! (Yes, little ol’ me would be able to stand on her soap
box and might even be heard!) As a military family we understand the importance
of staying strong. We know that the only way to get through deployments and
multiple PCS moves is to remain “strong as steel.” One of the definitions the
dictionary has under the word “STEEL” is: a quality
(as hardness of mind or spirit) that suggests steel. I felt like I would be an
asset to this campaign because I understood another side of the “Strong like
Steel” concept.
 |
| The SMDI team and the #SteelMatters ambassadors. (With our guests) |
We found out on Monday that we would be able
to go, and got on the road Thursday. We are both extremely thankful for both of
our moms for making this all happen! My mom drove down to keep our kids, so we could
have a nice long weekend to enjoy each other before he leaves. What better way
to renew our strength than this purpose!! Not to mention, my husband LOVES
NASCAR!!! I have watched a few races on TV… but NOTHING compares to actually
being there. You could feel the sounds of the car’s engine in your bones. It
was the most amazing feeling.
To read more about SMDI, the “Strong like Steel”
campaign, and the other ambassadors check out their blog post: http://wp.me/p3oJOM-1W
Here is an excerpt from the post that I
thought was a great example of how important steel truly is.
“When NASCAR drivers take to the track every
Sunday at speeds of 200 mph or faster, inconsistent performance is not an
option. The vehicles you see on the track each week are steel intensive – and
it’s not just the bodies – it’s key structural areas in the vehicle that
protect drivers in a crash – specifically the roll cage.”
It’s kind of mind boggling the strength of
steel, and how the automotive industry is trying to move in the direction of
all aluminum for our vehicles. You know, the vehicles we drive with our whole
entire family in it? I don’t know about you, but I have no intention of racing
my minivan so the more steel the better in my opinion! It says a lot that
NASCAR continues to make their cars lighter and faster over the years, but they
will NOT compromise the strength and design of the roll cage. Just that one key
design has probably saved every single driver daily. During our weekend we had to
keep going out to my husband’s truck so I could charge my phone. Live tweeting
and all my FB posts will kill a battery fast! One of the side pieces on his
truck door (held on by glue) had popped off. I just kept thinking about how
poorly things are made now. It was an example I could comprehend considering I
have NO IDEA about anything that has to do with cars, building materials or all
things manly. I felt like after this
weekend I wanted to learn more about the benefits of using steel over other
materials. I found out that our seat belts are made of steel and so are the car
door’s hinges that make the door stay shut during an accident. It also can be
recycled over and over again without losing any of its strength. I feel like the
more research you do, the more you want to pull away from aluminum and other
material that begin to wear over a shorter amount of time. The benefits and
facts of using steel are there. We just need to make our voices heard as
consumers about what we want and expect from our everyday products.
So, here is what our schedule looked like
for the weekend:
Friday – We had dinner with the SMDI’s team and fellow bloggers.
Saturday- We got to go on the Pit Tour. We also watched the NASCAR XFINITY Series Hisense 250 race and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Hyundai Construction Equipment 200. Followed by dinner with SMDI’s team.
Sunday – We got to see Cole Swindell perform and then The Folds of Honor Race (The BIG race).
We seriously had so much fun! We were only
required to watch one race Saturday, but we drove all this way for fast cars… I
wasn’t about to leave. The weather was absolutely terrible, but even that
couldn’t stop us from smiling. I felt so blessed to be given this opportunity
when I’m just a small time blog. I have big dreams, but haven’t had enough
exposure to turn any heads. The people we got to meet and spend time with were
a huge part in making our weekend incredible. I remember telling my husband on
the way home that I was sad we might never see them again. Maybe we’ll get to
work together again someday! Thank you STEEL for this “once in a lifetime”
weekend!
Here are some of our pictures from the
event:
 |
| My new favorite Camping World Truck driver, Jen Jo Cobb. |
 |
| Any female race car driver that has PINK rims is the best in my book! |
 |
| James with Jen Jo Cobb. |
**Compensation for this post was provided
by the Steel Market Development Institute via MSB New Media. All opinions expressed in this piece are my
own.
