Since I have been sharing this week on going to the races, I have heard from my Aunt and my Uncle on my fathers side of the family. I love to hear what they have to say. Thank you Aunt Janet and Uncle Fritz for taking the time to read this silly little blog. Thank you for sharing with me things from the past and present that helps me know what makes me….me.
Aunt Janet brought up the fact that my Daddy’s side of the family camped a good bit. I didn’t know that. I do remember very clearly another one of my Daddy’s sister, Aunt Pat and Uncle Dick took us camping while we were visiting with them one summer. It was fun! Interesting, even as I reflect on that memory, one of the things that sticks out is the smell of that bacon wafting through the air. I am not a true sleep in a tent and enjoy it person. I like a camper of some sort, but whatever way one chooses to camp it surely offers a lot of fun.
I remember my brother watching the races when I was younger. I thought…OH MY GOODNESS…..that is the most boring thing in the world! Why would someone sit and watch cars go around in a circle? One day, many years later, I started getting a little more interested. I went to a short track race, it was loud but fun. A few years later I was able to attend a race in Talladega. WOW…that was on another level. I preferred that kind of racing.
Being a girly girl…I pick out things that interest me probably different than what some would. I LOVE the colors of the cars. You may think that is silly, but if you ever get a chance to see the cars lined up in person, you will understand what I am saying. They are beautiful.
This is an older picture…but it gives you an idea of what the cars look like. I didn’t take any of them in line this time. Notice the drivers name is above the window of the car. My Billy is a HUGE….. Bill ELLIOTT fan. Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill. He ran this week, but only for a little while. He isn’t in the races for the long haul these days, and you won’t see him race very often any more, but we always cheer for him. He won NASCAR’S most popular driver award like some 16 times or so. He even withdrew his name one year. I think he still holds the track record in Talladega for a qualifying speed of 212 mph. and in Daytona at 210 mph both were back in the late 80’s. Bill Elliott was a Ford man. I personally always liked that about him.
There are many drivers that Billy and I like. Matter of fact there aren’t many we don’t care for. And we definitely admire all of them.
Then there is the ROAR of the engines. When they say GENTLEMEN….START…. YOUR…. ENGINES. There is a tingle that runs through your whole body when those engines crank up. I usually am not impressed with a loud engine at a stop light or wherever, but this is different.
They bring the flag around the track and chills run up your spine. I know the flag is touching the ground here, but trust me…they are very patriotic and I don’t think this is the norm. Great respect for God and Country is found at the track.
National Anthems and Prayer is said over the loud speakers. It is very moving. I am so proud that they still pray…they don’t just have a moment of silence. They pray for the safety of the drivers and for the people who have come to watch. They pray in Jesus’ name. That is very rare these days. I am always humbled that this still takes place and pray that it never changes.
There is the FLY OVER.
That brings the Patriotic chills to a tear in the eye. It makes you so proud of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. WOW.
For some it is time to put on some ear protection.
For the rest of us it is time to hear the ROAR…..as Darrell Waltrip always says….Boogity Boogity Boogity….let’s go racing boys!
I caught one complete lap on video. There is no way to really capture the sights, sounds and smells as the cars circle the track.
My Uncle Fritz shared with me this week about how he has followed Nascar since the 50’s. He worked with Ford Motor Co., and had the opportunity to work on an experimental engine that Ford only made two of. It was installed in a 1964 Ford race car, that was driven by Ford’s Driver on the Nascar Circuit at that time, Fred Lorenzen.
How exciting is that, for two reasons. One because that was MY UNCLE who worked on that project! The second is that I didn’t know that…maybe that is part of the reason why I love the roar of the engines! It must be in my genes. My Uncle was involved with a lot of things that took place with Ford Motor Co., in various areas. I am very proud of him.
I have to show this picture because this is one of the laps where we were able to see Bill Elliott race. He is in the 97 here….GO BILL!!!!!!
Sometimes we sit in front of the pits which is very exciting. I am amazed at how quick they gas up, change tires and do all they need to do on the cars in seconds flat. This race we sat in a different section on the back stretch. We have tried different areas through the years. Every seat has been a good seat. You just get different views.
I haven’t experienced the infield yet. That is where you can literally camp and/or watch the race from inside the field.
These campers are in the infield.
This was a bad wreck that took place in turn three. The driver had to be cut from the car
and a helicopter flew him out for medical attention.
Talladega is known for “the big one” there is usually a wreck that takes out a big part of the race cars. I have seen tires pop off, hoods fly, cars roll end over end and amazingly enough the drivers usually drop their window net, signaling that they are alright.
It is scary and exciting at the same time. We always hate to see a driver injured, thankfully that doesn’t happen very often.
I like to see a real battle for the finish in the end.
It doesn’t always end that way, but all in all it is usually a very good race.
I still don’t really like to sit and watch it on television, but being there is a different story!
I've Gone Country 