Twice a month, we will utilize this blog to showcase some of the employees of Pocono Raceway. Today, we feature Communications Assistant Denise Pandaliano.
I love my job!
Written By: Denise Pandaliano
Communications Assistant
Pocono Raceway
They say that, “when you love your job, it doesn’t really feel like work.”
Well I think I understand that now.
I moved up to Pennsylvania from New York two race seasons ago. I was hired in May of 2014 to work in the ticket office as one of the ticket agents. It was a lot of fun and hard work learning to explain all the different ticket options to our interested fans. I now work with our communications team and help assist those looking for donations.
As the weeks went on when I first started, and the race season came closer, there was a buzz of excitement that was so contagious you couldn’t help but be sucked into the spirit of racing. (I was not a race fan by the way.)
You could hear the cars racing around the track during testing and the hairs on my skin would stand on end! I never really realized how much “I loved racing.” Not one particular driver either, (although, I wouldn’t mind meeting Dale Jr. or Danica) it’s just the sound of the engines roaring around the track. Oh my gosh, gets me every time.
So here it is race day, and the ticket office moved out to Gate 8 to sell tickets. At the start of the race, my manager asked if I would like to see the start of the race, being it was my first. I said, “Absolutely!”
We walked right across to the Grandstand and I could hear the cars starting to warm their engines. As she and I got to the top step, I could see the Pace Car just pulling away from the Start/Finish line and feel the vibrations of the other cars following suit. My heart was pounding, and again the hairs on my skin stood up with excitement. “That’s it, you’re hooked,” shouted Tammy over the sound of the roaring engines, and I WAS.
So yes, I love my job and all the responsibility that comes along with it. This will be my third race season here and I just can’t wait!
Sure, it’s work, but when you love what you do … right? VVrroom, vvrroom
OMG, I almost forgot the best part of that season. I was able to do a ride along with the people from Stock Car Experience, BEST EXPERIENCE EVER! If you’re any kind of fan, you need to get in that car!
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