Watching the Coca Cola 600 on Sunday night reminded me there is not a more entertaining or well-executed enterprise than NASCAR. I had the opportunity to attend the 2005 Daytona 500, which in combination with the final turn Jimmie Johnson victory, have made for two of the more exciting sports finishes of the year.
Attending the 500 was an exhausting experience, but certainly worthwile. If you attend a race, remember the following:
- Buy your tickets in advance. NASCAR (espically Daytona) is a sellers market. We scalped tickets by the finish line for slightly over face as the race was about to begin, solely because we knew the scalper hocking on the corner (creepy, I realize).
- Scout the seating layout. Buying tickets in the lower rows of the backstretch is a waste of $$$, as you are facing the sun and have a limited view of the track.
- The event is BYOB, but in transparent plastic bags or flexible coolers. Would have saved us the cost of the 16oz. cans of Miller Light in the race, but somehow it added to the experience.
NASCAR fans are the most brand supportive lot of individuals I have ever seen. To attend and NOT have a race-related shirt/hat/denim jacket/hightops makes you stand out. Suprisingly 70-80% root for Dale Jr.
Bring sunglasses and a jacket, even if it is 80'. The track speeds whip up quite a frenzy, and as the sun sets the temperature drops.
I also learned that Dale Jr., in spite of his notoriety and currently poor season, is an amazing driver. He came from 30 cars back to challenge for the win at Daytona in the final 20 laps. It was unbelieveable, and NASCAR fans recognized his efforts and offered appropriate cheering and support.
Will I watch every race? No, but I will follow and support NASCAR, it is a great experience.
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