It's time again for ABC Wednesday. If you aren't participating in ABC Wednesday, you are missing out on a lot of fun.
This week the letter is N. N is for NASCAR. Recently my cousin Clyde invited me to attend the Samsung Mobile 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. It was my first time to attend a NASCAR race. The day of the race was hot and windy, and I do mean windy.
It is hard to explain the experience of NASCAR racing to someone who hasn't attended. I was surprised by the number of people in attendance, 185,000, and especially the noise level. When the 42 engines start the decibel level is tremendous, as much as 115dB. Ear plugs or headphones are needed.
I was able to use headphones provided by Clyde. They were tuned in to the channel used by Dale Earnhardt Jr. It was interesting listening in to the conversation between Jr. and his crew.
The race was fairly clean with five cautions and 31 lead changes among 13 drivers. There was one accident that was on the other side of the track so I couldn't see it clearly. It was a three car accident involving Mark Martin, Regan Smith and Martin Truex, Jr.
In the end Matt Kenseth won his first race of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. The win was his first since the beginning of the 2009 season. I was able to snap some photos as he spun out in victory lane.
My first NASCAR race was an incredible experience that I will never forget.
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That's awesome. It is surprising to me that there were only 5 cautions and a single wreck. I don't follow Nascar as closely as I used to, but I remember watching the innaugural race at Texas there had to have been atleast 3 or 4 wrecks and most of the race was under caution. It might not still hold this title, but for a while it was the fastest track.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, thanks so much for sharing. Looks like you had a heck of a time.
Terrific post for the N Day, Richie! Marvelous photos! Next best thing to being there! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
ABC Team
wow you were there!
ReplyDeleteAmazing reportage full of brilliant pictures and so many action, thanks for sharing!
And congrats!
Léia ;)
What a awesome read about Nascar. You have a great collection of pictures. Really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeletesounds exciting. and deafening.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
How utterly exciting! I don't know much about Nascar, but I do know it's extremely popular. When I was young(er), I used to go to Westwood Track (not there anymore) to watch the races. One of my BF's pals drove a Lotus! I remember how noisy it was there, and it was just a local track! Good thing you had earphones or you may have gone home with your ears ringing! Glad you enjoyed the day.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
A few of my relatives attend NASCAR races and they LOVE it. :)
ReplyDeleteGuys around here are so into NASCAR and there is even a small track around here for them to play on on weekends. I must confess I like watching it too.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!! Surely an experience to remember!
ReplyDeleteNeat post. I never thought about the noise of the cars... the crowds maybe, but not of the engines (silly me).
ReplyDeleteThat is a very appropriate and all American choice for today's letter! And a LOT of images to 'take you there'! My sister and brother in law went every year until he died. I guess you can't have a fear of crowds if you go to that event!
ReplyDeleteMy knowledge of NASCAR is limited to watching Top Gear on tv, but it looks sounds quite an experience.
ReplyDeleteIt has been years since I been to any car racing, used to watch racing on TV as well, although not as exciting as it is to see racing in person!
ReplyDeleteLove your collection of photos here, look as if you had a very wonderful time regardless of the heat ordeal.