NASCAR: A Clueless First-Timer’s Experience
Max Steven Miller
The smoke from the burnout of the #18 Nos Energy Drink car’s tires engulfed the entire car and the track around it. As the smoke cleared, odds favorite Kyle Busch emerged from the driver’s side window, pumping his fists in victory. The crowd erupted in a mixture of cheers and boos (not to be confused with “booze”, which was also a significant part of the mixture) for the NASCAR star’s 12th win of the year. It was an exciting end to a long race and a long day, and although the victory was sweet, there was very little time to take it all in. His next race, the Pepsi Max 400, was only 19 hours away.
Lap 1
I like to consider myself a pretty serious sports fan. I have my favorite teams that I follow intently in each of the major sports. And if none of those sports happen to be on when I find myself in front of the television, I’ll gladly tune into a curling competition just to get my fix.
But in my mind, NASCAR was an exception sport. It was the “country music” of the sports world. You know what I’m talking about: When people say, “I like every type of music… oh, except country!” That’s the reaction I’ve received about NASCAR from many sports fans I know. They love all type of sports, but they just couldn’t develop a love for NASCAR, even if they tried. I include myself in this category. I just could not understand how people had the ability to sit and maintain interest while a bunch of cars drove around in circles for three hours. Don’t get me wrong, I’d watch the highlights. I knew the big names (Earnhardt Jr., Busch, Edwards, Johnson, Gordon, Stewart, and so on). I just couldn’t sit and enjoy an entire race.
So, when I was offered the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour at a live NASCAR event, I had to find out what it was exactly that made this the second most viewed sport in the United States…
Lap 50
The first thing I noticed as I drove into the lot of the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California for the Nationwide CampingWorld 300 was all of the die-hard NASCAR fans, who were there earlier than me getting their tailgate on. As I made my way behind the scenes, the tailgating seemed to continue, but on an even more grandiose scale. There was the continuous sound of buzzing emanating from the track, which can be annoying at first, but simply becomes a normal background noise within minutes. The back parking lot was lined up with team haulers, equipped with everything you could possibly need to transport a race car, the backup car, and the team across the country. Many of the haulers include conference rooms, satellite rooms, and full kitchens. Each of the haulers seemed to have their own barbecue set up, creating an atmosphere that feels almost like a giant family reunion. Everyone around seemed to be working incredibly hard, but they were all smiling, laughing, and playing catch up at the same time.
All of the drivers and their teams wander around in preparation for the upcoming race with full accessibility to those around them. Want to shake hands with Carl Edwards and have a quick chat? Chances are he’d be more than willing to do so. There’s a true sense of family and community behind the scenes of NASCAR. These are people who eat, breathe, sleep, and bleed stock car racing. And it’s contagious. It’s an atmosphere that can make even the most cynical person suddenly develop some passion for the sport.
I made my way to the media room where a routine instructional video regarding basic rules on the track was being shown. But more importantly, where David Hasselhoff was introduced as the singer of the National Anthem that day. You heard me: David Hasselhoff. Singing the National Anthem. At a NASCAR race. I’ve never been more proud to be an American in my entire life. And for the record, he’s much taller when he’s not passed out on the floor with cheeseburger hanging out of his mouth…
Lap 100
The next part of the day was where a true appreciation for the sport really began to develop. It included all of the technical, hands-on, and high adrenaline parts of NASCAR that everyone should attempt to experience at some point in their lives. I was quickly ushered into a pace car, being driven by former NASCAR Winston Cup driver, Brett Bodine. We started off in the pit, where the speed limit is a nice calm 55 miles per hour. But practically before I even had time to get my camera into focus (included for your viewing pleasure), we were up on the track going speeds that made my stomach jump up into my throat. We maxed out around 135mph (which is not even close to how fast a car might go in a race) and came uncomfortably close to the wall multiple times, which was enough to cause me to lose my equilibrium for the next 15 minutes or so. (Brett’s nonchalant, one-handed driving, as if we we’re just taking a trip to the grocery store was both comedic and terrifying). The ride gave me a better understanding of how difficult it is to actually handle a stock car during a race while other cars were within inches on all sides of you.
When I figured out how to walk straight again, it was time for the driver introductions and the National Anthem. This was my first time to really witness live NASCAR fan reactions. First thing I learned was that NASCAR fans LOVE David Hasselhoff. I’m not sure if it’s because he starred in a television series with the ultimate talking racecar (Night Rider). Or if it’s because some of them were just suffering from heatstroke (like his character in Baywatch). Or if it was just because they were all completely wasted (which, thanks to his infamous youtube video, Hasselhoff has sort of become the poster child for). The point is, Hasselhoff got the already pumped crowd even more excited for the race to get underway.
As the driver’s were introduced, the fans became more verbal as the announcer made his way to the top ten. Understandably so, the more skilled drivers and the one’s who were the most well known elicited the biggest reactions. However, each driver received his/her fair amount of both cheers and jeers. There really wasn’t much favoritism from the crowd, which isn’t something you really witness in any of the major team sports.
The storylines that build up beforehand are also what help make the race exciting. Take Danica Patrick, for instance. She’s someone that everyone happens to know, whether you’re a NASCAR fan or not. She’s still working on her credibility in stock car racing and has vowed to place 15th or better in every race. It looked as though Patrick was going to keep her promise that day, when she ended up in a multi-car crash with only 11 laps to go. It was upsetting to watch, whether you like the girl or not. No matter how good you are in this sport, there are just some things you can’t control…
Lap 150
Observing the race from the pit, where can you watch and witness everything that goes into making a car and its driver a success is unbelievably exciting. I was pumped for the start of the race. A serious appreciation for the pit crew is established when you can get up close and witness just how quickly they have to move when their team’s car makes it’s way in for a pit stop. These crews work their butts off and have to move ridiculously fast while a single, tiny mistake could cost them the race (A front row seat during a pit stop for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s damaged #6 car was unbelievably impressive).
The minute I moved up to the press box, however, I do have to say that the excitement of the race began to fade. I think it takes more than just one day at a live race to fully develop to the point where you can truly enjoy each and every lap from a distance. Either that, or an insane amount of booze should do the trick.
As the end of the race neared, I moved back down to the pit to watch the last few laps. This is obviously the most exciting part of the race. Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Brad Keselowski, who finished the race in first, second, and third respectively, all put on a hell of a show. In the end, it was Kyle Busch who crossed the finish line of the 150-lap race first and he relished the win, as most drivers do. He gave most of the credit for the win to his pit crew, which further emphasized the team environment of NASCAR.
When I got home, I wondered if the day’s experience would be enough to peak my interest in NASCAR in the future. The next day, I found myself flipping away from America’s #1 most viewed sport (football, in case you live under a rock), to check out the #2. I watched the last ten or so laps to see Tony Stewart first career win at the Autoclub Speedway during the Pepsi Max 400. The NASCAR experience had planted the curiosity seed in my head and it already has started to grow. I can honestly say I’m looking forward to the tuning in regularly for the rest of the season and I’m looking forward to learning more about the sport.
Much thanks to Tara Moore and Michael Haas of Rogers & Cowan, Kristal Shipp and Corey Wynn from NASCAR Media Group, and pace car driver, Brett Bodine. The experience wouldn’t have been the same without their help and knowledge. It was a day I’ll never forget.
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