My First Experience with the NASCAR Nation...

Sunday was a very interesting day for me... yes... I lived and breathed... NASCAR NATION! I attended the SAMSUNG 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Chandra asked me several weeks ago (after I had consumed several beers, of course!) if she could get tickets, would I go with her to this "sports spectacular". Again... I was under some inebriation, so I obviously said, "Suuuuuure."

Well, the day came. I was a bit apprehensive... "I don't have my DOO Rag... I don't look like I just rolled out of my Double-Wide... Where's my wife-beater shirt???"

Ok, I'm being a little harsh.

We arrived with 190k of our closest friends and family around 10ish. The race started at 12:30, so we had some things to do. Mainly, cook!

We set up a mini-grill and proceeded to cook up some burgers and sausages. Chandra did a great job preparing everything. The goal was to get the food going and bring it into the Track. She even had breakfast tacos!

After we finished cooking, and watching our neighbor's antics (getting stuck in the mud with a Hyundai Accent and having to get pushed out by a big 4x4 pickup), we headed to the track with our cooler and backpack.

Along the way, we passed numerous (thousands!) RVs and tents. Lots of tailgating going on... lots of "redneck stuff" to look at... overall, it was preparing me for what I was about to experience.

Before we entered the gates, Chandra spotted her future boyfriend: A guy wearing a belt that contained full cans of Natural Lite Beer. I guess he wasn't interested in bringing in a cooler... nor did he think they'd get warm pressed against his massive physique.

Once inside, the main event!

Now I post this picture above so you can see what was sitting around us. No, I didn't take that picture. It was in the newspaper. But take a closer look - the dude has a plastic Bud Lite bottle (that he paid $6) and a Bloody Mary. Livin-it-UP!!!

People were either dressed like that guy, or not wearing a shirt, or sporting at least 5 tatoos. Seriously!

Man, these people get up for their drivers! They screamed, they cheered, they booed (other drivers)... they are VERY loyal fans!

After the National Anthem and flyover (that was really cool!), the drivers were introduced and then we got to see them warm up their cars behind the Pace Car. It was exciting... the cars were shiny and everyone was ready for the start.

Once it began, WOW! It was extremely loud! If I wanted to speak to Chandra, I had to yell. I'm serious. It was like that for the next 4 hours! Luckily, we had headsets provided by Chandra's sister Dana. We could be shielded from the noise, but also listen in on the action.

And are those cars fast! The track was a mile and a half... for them to go one lap around took about 30 seconds. No lie! And they had 335 laps to go!

I saw one accident right in front of me... that was interesting. I think it woke everyone up, too. I stood up and pointed and then everyone around me caught on to what had just happened. Most of the excitement happens after a caution flag as the drivers jockey to get new positions. Also, most fans decide that's the time to go to the restroom! Ha!

To give my short review, I'd say it was ok... not terribly exciting... not terribly boring. I did start to follow Jimmie Johnson (#48) and thought he was a good driver. I'm sure about a million people will boo me, but hey... at least I found someone to follow!

Leaving wasn't bad - we left with about 20 laps remaining. After we got to the car (20 minute hike), we zipped out of there.

Now, would I go back? Hmm... maybe. Guess it depends how much "beverage" I've got in my system the next time I'm asked!

To see Chandra's pictures of the race, go here: Link