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Pit Boss n . 1. The tailgating Crew Chief in charge of creating an authentic barbeque flavor within any region. 2. Grill master for a tailgate combined with eats, drinks, tunes and good times. 3. #1 source for recipes, tips and tricks to indulge the race day flavors - adj . 4. When seconds count you need the right Pit Boss - v .

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Richmond Tailgating Fan Winner Allison Struyk "Carry on the Tradition".

 When I heard the words "I had to carry on the Tradition" come out of Allison Struyk's mouth I knew their Tailgating Party was different. Let me set the stage for this touching and great Tailgating story that only comes from real people.

As we do at Races my Pit Crew Barbeque Pit Boss Team had split up to cover more of the Parking Lot and Camping Areas at Richmond International Raceway. We were giving folks free samples of Pit Crew Barbeque Sauces and Bloody Mary Mixes and well just having a great time with the good folks in Richmond. My son Elijah came and found me with the best tasting Bacon Wrapped Scallops and said I just had to meet these folks. For the record Bacon Wrapped Anything gets my attention and I was on my way!

When I got there every thing seemed like most Tailgating Sites and they were friendly folks eating and sharing good food and NASCAR Driver stories. But there was something different about one girls who had a warm smile and a plate full of food for a stranger like me. She seemed to glow and just seemed to be taking care of every detail and every single person and she did it with what seemed like ease.


I could tell she was in charge of this group of fun loving NASCAR Fans...as if this group could be controlled. I asked her how she came to be "Pit Boss" for her group? And that's when she said it. She did not tear up but I saw and felt her well with emotion and pride and a touch of sadness and she said:

"For the past many years we all have been coming to Richmond as a Family Tradition. My Father Johnny Piner has been our Pit Boss. He passed away December 10th 2008. I had to carry on the tradition. We miss him greatly but he will always be Remembered!" - Allison Struyk

My eyes teared up then just as they are doing now as I write to you. Wow! This girl had such heart and love for her Daddy that "being Him" for the day made her shine and radiate love and what NASCAR Tailgating is all about. I went right back to our Team Tailgating Spot and get her some Sauces and Bloody Mary Mixes and her very own 4-Way Grillin' Wrench and picked her as Pit Crew Barbeque Tailgating Fan of the WeekI


So look for my Pit Crew Barbeque Pit Boss Team at a Track near you soon and be ready for a good time. Heck you might just be the next Pit Crew Barbeque Fan of the Week! Grab up some Sauces and Bloody Mary Mix to get started and maybe this can be YOU next.


Thanks Allison and God Bless You. Trust me when I say yer Daddy would have been very proud of you and I'll come find you again at the September Race at RIR! We'll be posting some Video Elijah shot of Allison and myself telling this story and the cheers she got when it was all said and done. Great Girl and a Great NASCAR Tailgating Family.

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