I'm going to NASCAR! (updated)

[ÜberDoober]

I know there aren't many here who watch NASCAR, it has been boring as hell this year but the truck races have been short scrappy little races with lots of action.

I just bought a ticket for Friday at PIR! $40 bucks and since the place will be mostly empty, I'll be able to sit where I want for Friday night's truck race! :)

Scramble time now to find radio frequencies for the truck series so I can program my scanner! Gonna call my grandson up and see if he wants to go too since it's only $5 for kids 12 and under (he's 11).

Hey, I know it isn't much but I didn't go to any races last year. In my own small way, I'm excited! :D

[DooberRoni]

You know the races aren't this weekend, right? They are the weekend after next, the 17, 18, & 19th.

I think this makes us even now. :winky:

[ÜberDoober]

DAMMIT!

(feeling stupid)

[ÜberDoober]

:ignore:

I am the biggest dumbass in the world.

First I get the day wrong then I get what race I bought tickets for wrong. I am so embarrassed and feeling really dumb. :o

Let's start over! :willy_nilly:

Hey! I'm going to the NASCAR Nationwide Basha's Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday. THIS Friday, day after tomorrow. The 17th.

I think I got it now?

[ÜberDoober]

I made it! My trip to this event wasn't without incident though.

First was 30 minutes of stop and go traffic getting through central Phoenix.
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I ended up taking (forcing) my g/f to go even though she wasn't feeling well. When we got parked and realized it was about a mile walk to get to the track, she put on a brave face, even though she was kind of a pale green.

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Getting closer...approaching the track from the west looking at the Bobby Allison grandstands and suites.
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It was a beautiful day. We got to the track about 4:30.
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Having never been to a Nationwide race before, only Cup, I was surprised at how open things seemed without 100,000 people walking around.
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Took in a bit of a freestyle show that was pretty cool.
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Although they've added a few enhancements to the old girl, the race control tower looks pretty much like it has for 20 years.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/Picture024-1.jpg

Last time I went to NASCAR was in 2006 and I was disappointed at the selection of food available. It was nice to see that things had been greatly improved in that area and there was a lot of tasty stuff to choose from.
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After strolling around and taking in the sights, I walked up into the stands for my first views of the track.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/Picture029-1.jpg

And of the Allison grandstands where our seats were.
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Finally, we decided to make our way to where we were supposed to be sitting. There were MANY stairs to get there. My g/f who was struggling in the first place was totally wiped out by the climb.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/Picture011-2.jpg

With the late afternoon shadows starting to creep across the infield and finally in a seat, I got a few pics from our vantage point. We were nowhere close to where our reserved seats were.


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Here's a shot down pit road with the famous "hill" in the background.
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And the scoring tower.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/Picture034-1.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

Prior to driver intros, the cars were pushed down pit lane.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/Picture040-2.jpg

Carl Edwards lead early but broke a valve spring
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It was still light out when the racing began.
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But didn't take long to get dark
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Unfortunately, by about lap 75, my g/f's condition took a turn for the worse and she became really ill. I took pity on her and decided to head home before she needed air lifted out. We caught a ride back to our car in a bicycle rickshaw and made the drive back across Phoenix in great time. The race was still on when we got home and I got to see the last 30 laps on TV.

In spite of our early departure and my g/f's sickness, I had fun. I got enough of the experience, the sights, sounds and smells, to be satisfied. My scanner worked great, the food was good and we had a good view. I had planned to buy a few souvenirs but ended up with nothing for some reason. It was really nice to not sit in traffic for an hour getting out of the place too.

I took a 1 lap video of the start that I'll put up soon.

[ÜberDoober]

Crappy video but here's the first lap!

jMuKO8BTD5U


Forgot to mention that Michael Waltrip got punted into the wall. I couldn't tell if it was Kyle Busch or Kevin Harvick but who ever it was, Waltrip wasn't too happy. He said something like "I'm gonna drive like that tomorrow and see how he likes it?" Look for Waltrip seeking payback in Saturday's cup race. :)

[LittleAlguy]

That's great. Glad you enjoyed the experience.

[rixracer]

Great photos, EK, glad you had a good time. As far as time spent at the track, it's quality not quantity. You had your fill and were lucky enough to watch the ending from the comfort of your abode.:coolshades:

[Pablo]

Ejoyed my/your trip to Phoenix, EK. Even though your g/f wasn't too well, it looked like a fun time by all those great pics. Now I know what to expect at a Nationwide event. Thanks for sharing:cheers2: