Reflections on a day at a NASCAR event

Teresa and I went to the Aaron's 499 NASCAR event in Talladega, Alabama yesterday. Our neighbors from our previous house in Houston came to visit us and go to the race with us. This was Teresa's first event as well as our friend MaryAnna's. I think they are both good for at least 5 years before they ever go to another event in person. Me, I'd go once a year for sure.



Some thoughts on the event we witnessed yesterday:

• Talladega racing is amazing, cars going 190 mph, 3 wide, for nearly 3 hours.
  
• People were nice!! All around us we had the most respectful and friendly people.
• My wife did something for me that was awesome, SHE WENT TO THE RACE.
• It is good to have friends who will come see you after you move away to a new town.
  
• The kind of people who attend NASCAR events has really changed since my first race in 1981.
• One wreck happened right in front of us (see photo). You realize more in person just how violent that a wreck can be at those speeds.
  
• There are still a few rednecks that go to races however.
• A lot of Dale Jr. fans have no class.
• The end of the race was disappointing (under caution).
  
• We parked real close and still walked for two miles or so.
• Some women need to just hold off on wearing short shorts and bikini tops.
• Some men should put their shirts back on.
• Butt cracks are not an attractive sight.
• Mountain Dew taste even better when you are at a NASCAR race.
• Jeff Foxworthy was the Grand Marshall... that was fitting.
• Going to a race without listening to a scanner/radio broadcast is silly.
  
• Cars going by at 190 mph is an impressive sight.
• Cars going by at 190 mph generates an AWESOME sound.
• I wonder how much money was generated yesterday, unbelievable consumption going on out there (and not just beer).
• NASCAR fans love the military, the flag and the country.
• NASCAR fans are starting, slowly, to reflect the country's diversity. Even at Talladega I noticed a real change.
• Driving home I had to really hold back on the accelerator, wanted to drive 190 mph myself.
• Red dust is everywhere in Talladega.... because of the red dirt!!
• Rebel flags, while present, were not as dominant as they used to be.
• I did not hear a SINGLE Lynyrd Skynyrd song playing on anyone's radio at the track. The US Navy band did play Sweet Home Alabama but that was all I heard. What is the world coming to?