The Give Away Car- Give Away Day!

Finally, Saturday rolled around and it was time for the car to meet its new owner. This was the day we had all been waiting on. It was the day that the crew had worked for a solid year for. Dad had to move the car from one location to Freedom Hall. As he was moving the car there were people taking pictures, recording videos, etc. He looked so fancy driving that car through the crowds.

Of course, Suzy had a uniform for the special day!! 

Suzy and PawPaw!! 

 The car would be given away at Freedom Hall. Freedom Hall is a coliseum type building where everyone gathered for the announcement of the winner. In order to win the car the person must have a car entered in the show, the car must be titled in their name, and they have to be in the building. If you are not in the building and your number is called you cannot win the car! Because of this rule there are tons of people crammed in the building to see if they will be the lucky winner. While they are waiting on everyone to enter and be seated they have a band play.

Some of the crowd! 

I was fine and not emotional until we got together for this picture..... Then I started crying. I was just so proud of him. I knew that he was right where he had always dreamed of being. It was just such an overwhelming experience for me. 

The family, again. 

The band playing. 

Photo shoot while we waited.

"That's my PawPaw!"

After the band finished their set, they asked Dad and his crew to come on stage. Dad introduced his crew and told his story about the car. He also listed the sponsors that helped him, and how much he enjoyed being a part of the experience. When he was finished they announced that it was time for the car to be given away.

Dad giving his speech! 

The first time they drew a number no one shouted out for the car. They quickly moved along to pull another number. I think the first number called belonged to someone who was not in the building! 

The winning number!! 

The winner was in the top right hand corner of the audience! 

Some of the crew waiting for the winner to show up! 

There he is!! 

He had to be escorted to his car. The officials have to make sure that he had all the above mentioned items before they would do the paperwork to give him Ronnie's Hot Rods' Giveawy Car

They made it back, and he had all the necessary things!! 

AND THERE SHE GOES...... 

Out of 10,036 people, Victor Torasso was the lucky winner of the 32 Ford. He was so in shock that he didn't have much to say initially. The guys from NSRA told dad not to be disappointed when the winner didn't seem to be very excited or not talkative the day of the event. They warned him that he/she would be in shock and not know what to say or do. They were right. Victor was out of sorts and his wife was tickled pink. She was thrilled they had won the jewel! One of Dad's wishes was that the car would be given to someone that lived close by. His wish was luckily granted. Victor and his wife life in LaVergne, TN. Dad and Casey agreed that it was a bittersweet day. They were excited to see the car go and sad to see it go in the same breath. They will miss the car, but will not miss the endless hours of overtime spent on it :) They hope that after a year or two of a break that they will be able to do another giveaway car for NSRA.

Suzy patiently waiting as her PawPaw was getting interviewed. 

Getting videoed! 

Well, all drug tail back to the trailer feeling like we had just given away our favorite family pet to a very grateful owner. We were excited for the winner, but sad to see the car go. It had become such a huge part of our everyday lives that it tugged at my heartstrings to see the guys walk away from her.

We headed back to the hotel for dinner and to decompress shortly after the car was given away. The restaurant that we ate at was next to this Firestone building. I had to take a picture for Pops!

The following day was our very last day to be at the show. The traffic had slowed down around the arena and people were anxious to head back home. Before we packed everything up and headed south I had to get Suzy a prize for being so good. She did amazing on our trip. I am so thankful that I decided to take her along with us. She did great!! The only appropriate gift would be a car, right?