Chicago Sun-Times (Enlarge photo)

02/07/2008 00:43. It was a sunny day, and the hot dry heat of the desert radiated off the black pavement at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, Calif. A Pearly white BMW 7-Series lined up next to the cone, with the journalist behind the wheel revving the engine. I hopped into the drivers seat of the car to the left of 7, hooked my seat belt and toed the starting line.

I watched the gray-haired man in front of me raise his arms, and I felt a rivulet of sweat drip down my back. From the heat, yes, but also from the nervous sense of anticipation.

I had never drag raced before, and here I was pitted against a BMW in a Hyundai.

I was focused on the man in front of me, left foot on the brake, right foot hitting the gas pedal, bringing the tachometer up to 1,500 rpm.

His hands dropped, and I... // Chicago Sun-Times