I’m About A One
So, if you follow my Twitter, you already know that Saturday I will be attending my first ever Nascar event. Now, from what I understand Billy is playing a ‘Pre-Race Concert’ and also singing the National Anthem before the race. It is also to my understanding that we will be parking the bus in the middle of the field or whatever and everyone else on this bus is super excited about it.
Now, the other day Aaron, Billy’s road manager, sent out an email saying there were different things that we would be able to do, but there were limited spaces for each ‘event’. He asked on a scale of one to ten how big of Nascar fans we were to make sure that the big fans were able to be involved as much as possible. It took me a while to figure out my response, because I was going between a zero and a one. It’s not that I hate it, just I’ve never been into it, but I have heard that once you go you love it. We’ll see I guess.
Any Nascar fans out there? Scale of one to ten?
Anything else I should know before going into an environment of 80,000 people and cars going over 200 miles an hour?
All I know is I’m between a zero and a one as well.
I hope you have a follow up article because Im curious if the experience changes your mind.
Steven would be around an 8. Carl Edwards is one of my favorites (you’ll see him on the Claritin commercials) along with Kyle Busch.
I’ve heard it’s really loud, but fun. I bet you’ll have more fun than you think.
Earplugs……earplugs…..earplugs. Noise cancelling headset to listen to the race works as well.
As I told you before I am like a -7.
250,000 people in one place with beer and fireworks just freaks me out.
Enjoy!
Look for some Carl Edwards, & Greg Biffle fabric can holder (with plastic handle) merchandise.
That’s some work I’ve done.
I’m definitely a one but in the same boat as you. I’ve never been to it live and from what I hear, that’s a gamechanger. Maybe there is something to it if that’s what everybody says. Maybe, I’ll break down and give it shot. Who knows?
I’m about a six, mostly because my dad was a fan and my husband is a fan, so I figured if I have to watch the races I might as well try to enjoy them. So I like Jimmy Johnson, he’s my guy. My husband’s advice is to pick one driver as your favorite and it makes the race a whole lot more interesting. Also…earplugs! I don’t know what kind of activities they have at the races, especially for VIPs like y’all, but I love tailgating of any kind…beer and a grill and I’m happy.
I’m about a 7 or 8. My favorite is Clint Bowyer, but that’s because he’s a Kansas boy! Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are also favs. Earplugs are absolutely a must! I’ve been to the Indy 500 and I know the importance of earplugs. Met DW (Darrell Waltrip) on an elevator once. My 3 boys were with me and when we got off the elevator I asked if any of them knew who was on the elevator with us. They all said “No.” When I told them who it was, my oldest said “Oh yeah, he’s the seat belt guy.” Darrell was doing safety ads for seat belt use at the time. Kids do pay attention to commercials!
Lots of cheap beer, tube tops, cut off jeans and chewing tobacco. You will have fun!
Honestly Dude… Earplugs. Being in the infield will be better than in the stands. Reason being is that all the exhaust pipe are on the right side of the cars, but it’s very loud still.
I’m a 7. I used to be a 10 before NASCAR change to the new car. I’m a Tony Stewart fan (#14) – and will issue no apologies for it. Get ‘um Smoke!
Oh yeah, you will see all kinds there. If you like watching people a race is way better than the shopping mall!
To show you how much a fan I am of NASCAR… The photo you posted above is of the Sharpie 500. Run in none other than Bristol, Tennessee. It looks like (the cars in order just ahead of the start/finish line) are Jeff Gordon is the lead car and Tony Steward is third. The second car could be Kurt Busch, but I’m not completely sure.
Brody: I was formerly a ’9′, I would describe myself as a solid ’6′ today…I like it, but don’t follow every race. I do follow my favorites, Daytona, Bristol, Michigan, etc. My favorite things about NASCAR: It is as ‘American Heartland as it gets…The feel and sound of 43 (900 Horsepower) cars at the start of the race…The unique smell of fuel and rubber…The people watching is unmatched…Rooting for your favorite driver…I don’t have a favorite driver since the death of Dale Earnhardt, I recommend you watch Carl Edwards (because he is on the Ford team and ran across the finish line two weeks ago when his car was wrecked in the final lap…like Ricky Bobby)
Things you need to know: The infield at a NASCAR is not simply a race, not simply an event…it is a ‘southern rebel getaway weekend’ of the best kind. You will be blown away that NASCAR women are just a passionate as anybody about the sport. Take it all in…you will have fun.
My favorite slogans:
• “If you ain’t rubbin’, you ain’t racin’”
• “Go Fast, Turn Left”
• “Sunday is a day of rest, until the flag drops”
Darlington will be a good track. Not a super speedway length…not a short track, plus Darlington is rich in racing history. Enjoy…
Ps. Don’t wear an un-American t-shirt of any kind. You will get you’re a$$ beat, and deserve it.
On one hand, my ability to place things on scales of 1-10 is about a 2. On the other hand, this one’s a piece of cake. I’m a one, and that’s only because the scale is 1-10… if I could, I’d be zero.
I’d rate myself a 10 on your scale – and would trade places with you in less than heartbeat. Our living room on race days is plethora of laptops (at least 4 – for raceview and streaming in-car audio), a loud stereo, and my wife and I yelling at the TV. I’ve attended races at Las Vegas, Phoenix, California, and Kansas; and we’re talking about going to Daytona next February. Each track is different, and I haven’t been to Darlington, but here’s my tips:
- the infield is great fun, but to really see the action, try to get to the stands. To me, the best seats are between the start/finish line and the exit of pit road, and about 20 rows up.
- I second the earplugs suggestion. It can *very* loud.
- FanView http://www.sprintfanview.com/WhatIsFanview.aspx You can rent those at the track for the day at most races. Highly recommended if you’re wanting to learn more.
- If you can, sit with someone who understands what’s happening and can answer your questions.
- keep an open mind, watch out for the excessively rowdy, and have a great time!
Wally is hilarious! I am a zero to one. I’d rather watch golf. Or maybe paint drying! I never would have thought about ear plugs! Best idea of all if you have to be there! Woo Hoo?
Hope you are feeling better. Take all your medicine!
-100
On a scale of 1 to 10, my family’s a 24!! That’s cuz we’re HUGE Jeff Gordon fans (#24).
I’m about a 7…used to be closer to 10. Did the whole fantasy nascar and everything..actually won in my group the first year I played. But I have been way to busy with work and school to watch or keep up with it. What is up…no Jr fans? I am a huge Dale Jr. fan. Not one of the “I was a Sr fan so after he passed I became a Jr fan” people. I have just always liked Jr since before his dad passed. I used to hate racing because I was raised around it. I have 3 of 4 uncles that raced stock cars the other worked on the cars. My family watched nascar EVERY Sunday. I HATED it. Then my husband went overseas with a guy who got him watching it and so I figured I had better just pick a driver and join him:) Hope you have a great time! And booooo Gordon:)
zeeeee-ro
I’m jealous . . . actually, more jealous than I care to admit! The extent to which I love NASCAR is actually a little embarrassing, especially considering the fact that I’m a 20-year-old, college-educated female. Oh well!
My suggestion:
1. Take it for what it is, and try to enjoy it. This is how my dad first convinced me to watch NASCAR, and now I’m the one filling HIM in on all of the details! haha
2. Choose someone to cheer for (even if it’s arbitrary), and cheer for him all day. I go for Carl Edwards (#99), my dad goes for Jeff Gordon (#24), and my mom goes for Kyle Busch (#18). We all like a wide variety of other drivers, as well, but having one or two guys to follow and pay attention to helps keep you involved with the race without getting overwhelmed.
3. Definitely take some time to people-watch . . . there will be some crazies! haha But don’t judge all NASCAR fans by the stereotype – most of us are perfectly normal!
4. Like someone else suggested, do your best to watch the race with someone who is at least fairly knowledgeable about NASCAR and it’s various drivers. I find the races a lot more interesting when I know some of the back-stories (e.g., who the race has special meaning for, who is trying to break some kind of record, etc.).
5. I’ve only been to one live NASCAR race (so far), and honestly, it was a little overwhelming, even for someone who actually knew what was going on! There’s so much action and everything happens so fast, and especially once cars start going laps down, it’s really hard to tell who’s actually in the lead! So, if at all possible, try to find a spot where you can see a TV screen, too, so that you can stay on top of the running order, etc.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now! Try to enjoy it . . . and if you really hate it, just remember that I would trade with you in a heartbeat!!
I guess I’d be about a 3 now, but was about a 6 before. My husband got me into Nascar, before that I had never given it a single thought. I like Ryan Newman! As someone who used to live in South Carolina though, they take NASCAR very seriously so as someone else said , take time to people watch, you will definately find it interesting. One piece of knowledge that is sure to impress if you use it, Darlington is often called the ‘Lady in Black’ it will give you instant creditablilty.
Ugh! I am sorry but, watching a left turn for three hours is just not my idea of a good time.
all those ‘same direction’ turns for hours and hours on end must really do a number of the car’s CV joints.
Brody ~ I somehow missed this post. Hope you had a good time! Did you change from a one?
I’d say I’m an 8. Not a nascar maniac, but I do love to watch the races!
All started when Ryan used to play a nascar videogame (sega?) with his friend. They were addicted. Then, they started watching the real thing. I made fun of them for some time.
One day, I decided to sit down and watch a race with Ry. I commented that I liked the M&M car. Boy, I had no idea the impact that statement would make! Ry’s NOT a Kyle Busch fan. Suddenly, I WAS. Go #18! Love that Wild Child.