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Turning Chrome into gold
It’s what UAW members do all the time
by Jim Adams
Local 1853

UAW members from Locals 1853 and 1832 turned the Trace Adkins Chrome 300 into a golden evening as union sisters and brothers showed the people at Nashville Super Speedway how to have fun. Broadcast as the UAW Local 1853 Night at the Races, the event was an evening of charity, excitement, family and fun.
The threat of a major downpour held off as UAW members arrived at a reserved parking area. Glen and Karen Smith, ex officio tailgate hosts, arrived with the UAW grill and the tailgating began.

UAW members threw everything on the grill from the lowliest hot dogs to gourmet delights sans barbeque, sharing their feasts with whoever came along. UAW Local 1832 President Mike Pardue shared his thoughts. “You folks are unbelievable. You invite my members and me to come to this wonderful event and you feed us, too. Your kindness is immeasurable,” he said.

Pardue was referring to the 50 tickets that were donated to Local 1832 members via a motion made at the May 18 union meeting. Local 1832 wasn’t the only recipient of free tickets since a small portion of the tickets were donated to both Spring Hill and Columbia fire and police officers.
The party then moved from the parking lot into an exclusive hospitality tent where families met and greeted each other. There were a number of family members from Michigan and Ohio who came to Nashville to enjoy the race with their team member relatives.

Local 1853 Member Rick Kniffen said it best when he summed up his feelings about the event. “This is what solidarity is all about. It’s not just how we treat each other at work; it’s about who we are when we’re off the clock, as well. There are people who I have worked along side for years. This is one of those rare opportunities to meet their spouses and children and have a great time while doing so,” Kniffen said.
As the activities in the hospitality tent wound down, UAW members moved on to the racetrack for the Trace Adkins concert. “I never dreamed it was possible to get so close,” said one UAW member. “If Trace Adkins had taken one more step toward me, I might have left my husband,” she joked. Adkins, a celebrated country and western performer rocked the crowd.

UAW members were given special front stretch concert passes that allowed them to get within near arms’ reach of the concert stage. At the end of his performance, a brief interlude followed by cannons firing and two massive air tankers flying over the Super Speedway thrilled everyone.
The Trace Adkins Chrome 300 Race began and, UAW members were in the best seats for all the action. The UAW crowd seated at the end of Turn 4 was in prime position to watch most of the crashes, spin outs and passes in the race.

One Local 1832 member boasted; “You always want to see a wreck up close at the track. We not only saw one up close; it was up-close and personal.” Scott Riggs in the Number 10 Nestle Nesquik Ford won the race leading 160 of the 225 laps and set a new track record. David Green, David Stremme, Randy LaJoie, and Bobby Hamilton Jr. finished the Top 5.

The UAW was brought to national prominence during the race as the FOX Network, broadcasting the race via FOX Sports, frequently focused their cameras on our UAW banner. The UAW banner, a 20-foot by 20-foot gold and blue standard purchased by Local 1853, could be seen from long distances at the Super Speedway. As Fox focused their cameras, race commentators praised the strong presence of UAW members in the crowd.

One commentator said, “If it weren’t for the UAW, there wouldn’t be any cars on the track.” After the Trace Adkins Chrome 300 race ended, UAW members were treated to a spectacular fireworks show. Some of the UAW members headed back to the parking lot for another round of tailgating and camaraderie. Others took advantage of an extra freebee and watched a 125-mile race that had been rained out the night before.

Those who the Local 1853 UAW News spoke to about the event gave it high praise. After all, it was a night where the UAW turned Chrome into gold.

Country music star Trace Adkins says his favorite color is Chrome.

Left to right: Local 1832 President Mike Pardue, his wife Tricia, Kim Martinez and her husband Rick, Local 1853 president, with their biggest fan, Trace Adkins (center).