For over a decade, I've attended NASCAR races at Texas
Motor Speedway.
From day one we started camping vs just attending the races daily. We rented an RV trailer, then purchased an ultra light one.We quickly found ourselves by ’07 in a 30’
FW.Year later, in an ’40 FW Toy Hauler.Today, we pull out a 43’ Toy Hauler.I sometimes miss the simpler days, but I’m
not going backwards, now!Over the last
dozen years or so, we’ve also attended Vegas, Charlotte, Sonoma, Talladega and Phoenix.They all have their own personalities and I’ve
enjoyed them all.
Several years ago we gave up our Season Tickets due to a
conflict with a Bike Rally.We had some
awesome tickets in Row 23 that were in a great location.Mistake.We also were part of a large group of friends that all trailered out RVs
bi-annually.When we pulled out of the
mix, most everyone did as well.I guess everyone
was ready for a change.But, dammed I
miss those days….
Several weeks ago, Leanne’s brother came to Texas and we
headed down to Galveston to get some warmth in the bones.His B’day was coming up and were deciding whether
to stay there or come back to back to Greenville or stay near the beach.. As luck would have it, my cousin out of FL is
headed to Dallas the week of the race on business and asked what I was doing. Perfect Storm ... NASCAR of course!Once the two of them agreed, the search was
on for an RV spot. I quickly decided on the Infield as the spot of choice and a
day later we were locked in.Score!The folks we pulled up near were great.They’ve been attending ‘forever’ and were a
good group of guys.We found ourselves
being asked to do the rounds with them and found ourselves up in the air
watching the race on the turns.Down in
the garages with hot passes.Meeting some
great folks around the track.
Well, on Wed we decided we’d head out so my bro n’ law and
I, did some quick repairs on the RV water system ( it was a freezing winter!),
headed out for booze and food, loaded it up, and we were off! Except, small
problem.Turns out the last few years,
if there isn’t a truck race on Friday night, they don’t open the infield until
Thursday.So, we found ourselves with a
group of about 50 RVs in a similar situation; hanging out in the parking lot until..... the next morning.But, this is the beauty of a 5th
wheel.We disconnected and headed to
town for dinner and drinks.Next
morning, 10am we’re headed into to track!
Good news is, Security was doing their job. With 50+ RVs trying to know get in 'first', they kept it
Lined up to enter the racetrack
first in!
civilized. Within 10 or 15 minutes we were headed to the 'tunnel'. No biggee, I've done it before but it'll make your sphincter tighten up .... you feel like "NO WAY am I going to fit this rig in it" .... but .. we all do of course. Few minutes later, we roll up into our site, spend an anal amount of time making sure I'm 'perfectly lined up' , and the unpacking begins; well after our first morning beer. Priorities! Soon folks are rolling in and it's a nice leisurely warm day to do nothing but make new friends. Success!
Friday turns out to be another nice day. The highlight of this day
was to work our way over to the Sprint car races at the dirt track. Definitely a nice change up! These guys have crazy power in their cars and spend dozens of laps just sliding around. And when the banging of fenders begins, you usually get a crazy accident or two, which we did. Lesson learned for next year; bring a cooler of beer in! And, bring lots of warm clothing. A cold front came in and the temps quickly dropped. I could have spent another two hours here easily, had we been truly prepared. But it's Friday night and we've got a big ass yeti of beer back at the campsite; so we're gone! Later on we do a few walkabouts to see what's going on, meet some good folks ... but all in all, not too late of a night.
Saturday ... a lil chilly out there. It'll prove to be the 'worst' day of all. Sorry I like it warm.. hell, I like it HOT.. but I don't like 30s at night, or 40s/50s during the races. Fact. Still, we did some 'cruising' around in our neighbor's pickup truck bed meeting a lot of hard core regulars. Did a lot of
lunch break
Use your imagination
walkabouts. Headed down to the pits with Hot Passes for up-close action. Up high on Turn 2 to watch some racing. All in all, a good one! As it got later, the temps began to plummet again and we braced for it. Good news was we were ready for it, warmed up and off to the races; so to speak. Redneck Taj Mahal had a Topless contest and after the winner took the crown we found a few other places to listen to music and throw back a few. Fireball Whiskey would just about do me in as the witching hour approached. Lets just say, the following day .. it was the last thing I wanted to taste?
Sunday is 'race day' .. well.. we had three days of racing, but Sunday is the big one. We chose not to sit up in the stands; we've got the BIG HOSS literally right in front of us and we've got access to
Hair of the dog
TV is .. HUGE
stands to see the track if we want. Lil' chilly early in the day, but later on, the temps are rising and we've got a perfect day overall. Was moving a notch slow early on, but nothing a few Bloody Marys didn't fix. Spent the day BSing with all the folks around us, and finished off the day with cold beer and killer steaks cooked just right. Win!
Monday, gotta' drop off my cuz at the airport, grab some coffee and breakfast food on the way back and ... we being packing up. We make it home by noonish and it's mission complete. And I'm TIRED! I think it took me THREE DAYS to fully recover. I'm getting older and I continue to push the envelope way to hard. Maybe next year I'll slow it down a notch .....probably not
was to work our way over to the Sprint car races at the dirt track. Definitely a nice change up! These guys have crazy power in their cars and spend dozens of laps just sliding around. And when the banging of fenders begins, you usually get a crazy accident or two, which we did. Lesson learned for next year; bring a cooler of beer in! And, bring lots of warm clothing. A cold front came in and the temps quickly dropped. I could have spent another two hours here easily, had we been truly prepared. But it's Friday night and we've got a big ass yeti of beer back at the campsite; so we're gone! Later on we do a few walkabouts to see what's going on, meet some good folks ... but all in all, not too late of a night.
was to work our way over to the Sprint car races at the dirt track. Definitely a nice change up! These guys have crazy power in their cars and spend dozens of laps just sliding around. And when the banging of fenders begins, you usually get a crazy accident or two, which we did. Lesson learned for next year; bring a cooler of beer in! And, bring lots of warm clothing. A cold front came in and the temps quickly dropped. I could have spent another two hours here easily, had we been truly prepared. But it's Friday night and we've got a big ass yeti of beer back at the campsite; so we're gone! Later on we do a few walkabouts to see what's going on, meet some good folks ... but all in all, not too late of a night.
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