Race-On Driving Experience is a company in Memphis, Tenn. which provides for those with the need for speed. A couple of weeks ago, I got to experience the thrill of speed at the Memphis Motor Sports Park, thanks to owner J.D. Ballinger.

Ballinger's grandfather was a resident at the Senath Nursing Center when I got to meet him. Having been told that he was a racing enthusiast, and the owner of Race-On Driving Experience, we struck up a conversation about racing.

He graciously extended an invitation to me to come to the track in Memphis and he would put me behind the wheel of a Busch Series type car.

What an experience! I used to tell my children to reserve the adjective "awesome" to describe only one thing. That one thing was God. When I got out of the race car, after racing around the track for 11 laps as a driver and six as a passenger, I was asked what it was like. Awesome! I said.

The day began with a course on safe driving on the race track. An instructor talked to the class I was in for about one hour, attempting to prepare us for what waited ahead. Short of being in the car and driving around the track one's self, I don't think there could be preparation.

One thing he reminded us of again and again was, "These cars are built to go fast and turn left." They will certainly go fast. And they certainly want to turn left, but turning left is not all there is to it.

The first few laps of driving are done on the low side of the track, well away from the wall and at relatively slow speeds, following a pace car. The pace car is there for the novice driver to follow throughout the experience.

One thinks initially that there is nothing to this. Then the speeds pick up and one finds himself driving fast and on the high side of the track, near the wall.

Driving 100 mph on a three-quarter mile track at what feels like inches from the wall is very disconcerting, particularly when the car feels like it wants to turn left so one feels like he actually has to turn to the right just to go straight.

So there you are feeling like you're actually turning into a concrete wall at 100 mph. Not a comfortable feeling, but very exhilarating.

I was amazed at how easy the car took turns so fast. I felt like the tires were superglued to the track. When other cars buzzed around me, I began wondering how in the world do NASCAR drivers do this?

After my 11 laps, I started getting out of the car. My legs were weak. My arms were shaking. I was sweating profusely. I felt exhausted. Whoever thinks NASCAR drivers are not athletes is mistaken.

I found myself wanting to go back, more so as a passenger than as a driver. If I were 30 instead of 50 maybe as a driver. As a passenger, however, I can sit there and enjoy the experience and trust myself to a professional driver who knows how to drive fast, really fast.

If you are one of those who feels the need for speed, I highly recommend contacting the Race-On Driving Experience. The number is (866) 4race-on. The web site is: www.4raceon.com

Thanks Mr. Ballinger for the experience of a lifetime!