Jezebel Magazine - Atlanta's Most Eligible

nikki_keyExcited to be named one of the "Most Eligible Atlantans" by Jezebel Magazine!  Read the August 2011 article and bid on a date with Nikki at http://www.modernluxury.com/jezebel/nikki-key.  All proceeds benefit the amazing Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA.
 

Bucket List Moment - Nascar Adventure!

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Original Article Posted By: Holly Blake, Follow @HollyLBlake (www.green2checker.com)

My friend and co-worker Nikki Key told me about her Dad and his friends planning a trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway a few weeks ago. Well, this past week, the group had their experience and instead of me writing about it, I asked them to.  I also asked Nikki to interview them and let them tell their story. I thoroughly enjoyed it from a fan's perspective and from a friend's perspective. I hope you enjoy it too.

By Jim Key:

Gentlemen…start your engines!!!!!  Our incredible journey began on a sunny day in Paducah, KY at noon on Tuesday, June 28, 2011…17 men, some friends, some having never met before, some with previous racing experience on local tracks, some who had racing experience on the asphalt of Daytona & Talladega, while others had never sat in a race car.  A few had spotting experience while others had only watched it on TV, but all shared a common desire and dream to participate in a 2 day Nascar driving school, hosted by lifelong friends and business partners Keith Murt & Dale Elrod.  They arranged this adventure through the Andy Hillenburg's "Fast Track High Performance Racing School,” based in Charlotte, North Carolina.  They were met in Paducah by a leased "Party Bus" to begin the journey, which set a great tone for the trip!


Arriving at the Atlanta Motor Speedway early on Wednesday morning, they passed through the underground tunnel and arrived at the Media Center/Garage area of the infield. Excitement levels were high as they met Sheldon, the driving school chief instructor, where the first order of business was to sign the release forms.  Immediately following they went outside to the pit lane where the formal instructions and training began.  Sheldon informed them of some of the amazing activities ahead, mandatory rules, and then instructed the class to begin walking down pit road towards Turn 1.  As the group was walking, Sheldon explained what they were about to experience, stopping to point out the "marks on the track" and where the race car needed to be positioned at that particular mark.  This progressed until they had circled the entire 1.5 mile banked racing surface.


Then the exhilarating driving sessions began!  The first task was to drive around the track with an instructor at 3500 rpm speed to ensure that they could hit their marks, then they had to bring the race car all the way out to within 2 feet of the outer wall on the front and back stretches.  But, the fun was just beginning!! The drivers were then turned loose to drive the car on their own, at the fastest speed they could go!!!

On Day Two, they began a two car drafting session, first at a 3 car separation distance, to be followed by a one car separation distance, with a swapping move halfway through each event.  The day ended with a 4 car pack, running nose-to-tail, and side by side racing, just like you see on TV after they drop the green flag at the start of the race!


 At the end of the last session on the final day, these 17 men had fulfilled a bucket list dream in an actual, bonafide race car.  This special moment was made possible because two lifelong friends and business partners wanted to create something for their friends and associates to enjoy.  All 17 men now have incredible memories and an experience that bonds them together for the remainder of their lives.


The men involved in this event were Keith Murt, Dale Elrod, Jim Key, Mark Lawrence, David Moss, Jeff Shuemaker, Gary Keeling, Tate Davenport, Rudy Brooks , Dusty Elrod, Herbie Adams, Kevin Bowman, Sean Henley, Kenny Hall, Daniel Miller, Steve Beckett, & Gene Murt.

 

  During the 2008 Presidential Election, Maker's Mark partnered with Rock the Vote to create a friendly place at Maker's Mark News Network to have some fun with the election.  To increase awareness and drive voter registration, Maker’s Mark and Rock The Vote partnered to send the Maker’s Mark-Rock The Vote Bus to several cities around the nation prior to the November election.   I worked with Maker's Mark-Rock the Vote to create a series of fun videos each week as we tracked the Rock the Vote bus on the Maker's Mark News Network.  As an additional reminder to Maker’s Mark customers, hang tags on bottles of special, limited edition, triple-dipped Maker’s Mark bottles reminded people to register to vote.

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hairstyle In April 2009 I worked with Jim Waldsmith's Productions in Columbus, OH shooting an industrial video for Lia Sophia.  Founded 30 years ago, Lia Sophia is a fabulous jewelry company with pieces of every price range.  It is a direct sell business allowing its advisors to run his or her own business.  Playing the part of advisor, the cameras rolled as I demonstrated how fun a Lia Sophia party can be - from hosting the party, games played by the attendees, and, of course, showcasing the jewelry!  If you've never been to a Lia Sophia party, I highly recommend it as the pieces are fabulous and have a lifetime guarantee.  If you become a Lia Sophia advisor yourself, I hope you enjoy the corporate DVD you'll receive of our shoot and recognize a friendly face!  For more information on the company visit http://www.liasophia.com. 

In 2008 and 2009 I worked with Simple Media on several videos for CBS Interactive, a new online division of the US media conglomerate.  We worked with Tech Republic to produce several comedic online videos about the hilarious mishaps we've all experienced with computer issues.  Working with CBS offered a different perspective in regards to the legalities of working with a major media company and the many intricate processes this entails.  It was a great experience and, of course, we had too much fun in the process!

In September 2008 I worked on a Similac project for Abbott Pharmaceuticals in association with Three Dog Films. We shot the new Similac product line informercial in Columbus, OH. I played the part of head nurse amongst my team of nurses. The video is unavailble for public viewing as it was paid for by the WIC Program. WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children who are found to be at nutritional risk.
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