Things I Never Knew About NASCAR

While in North Carolina the last couple of weeks I had an educational experience I’m just dying to share with you all.

NASCAR!

Never, In ALL my 36years (and 10 months) did I ever think I might enjoy a NASCAR event…So obviously, #1 has to be…

 

1. NASCAR IS FUN!!!!!

and SO terribly entertaining! For instance did you know…

2. NASCAR is a color-loving hobby photographers dream.

‘Tis true. The colors really popped! I had a wonderful time taking pictures. And even chose my favorite car based on color alone.

Which apparently, according to many, has led me to pull for the “bad guy”.

But, hey, I don’t care…how can you hate a driver who has M&M’s on his car?

Anyone who’s a fan of M&M’s is ok in my book!

3. The center of the track is an alternate world.

 

Yes, for real. An alternate world in which otherwise respectable 9-5 men (and women) sit on platforms and drink themselves stupid, shirtless and in the line of wreckage fire. And they furthermore, I’m told, will pay $1000’s of dollars for the “privilege” of doing so. I’m fairly certain these people would make for an intriguing case study.

4. You can drive well over a 100 MPH, this close to a wall and not die.

Or even hit it.

I further learned that any time I witness someone driving that fast, that close to a wall I lose the ability to breath for a couple seconds.

 

 

5. Not everyone misses the wall every time.

6. NASCAR fans are a sick lot.

I mean, really sick. I know I have a twisted and warped sense of humor…but even I was mildly disturbed at how delighted the crowd was when drivers crashed.

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first Pole Position in the 2000 Coke 600.

He didn’t place so well in this one though.

8. The drivers are apparently trained to always enter the grass in the same spot when regaining control of an out-of-control car.

Now, I don’t know this for a fact, but I found it mighty interesting that both “wrecks” we witnessed regained control of their cars in an incredibly short amount of time and also both entered the grass (I’m assuming to avoid hitting a wall) in the EXACT same spot.

Uncanny?

Or skilled driving?

I’m going to go with the latter.

And here he is entering the grass. Same spot as the previous driver. Coincidence?

I think not.

9. My personal observation is that on the Charlotte Motor Speedway, you gotta watch out for turn 4!

Preferably, with a telephoto lens and your camera set on continuous shot.

(Again, photographers dream)

10. NASCAR IS LOUD!!!!

One car at at time was loud. I cannot imagine listening to 40 cars on that track at the same time! Can anyone say “Excedrin”?

 

I have lots more to come…will be trying to catch the blog up over the next few days.

I love you all!