NASCAR, Bud Light, and Mullets!

Fast cars are American.  Bud Light is the perfect beverage.  Mullets provide the flexibility for business or party.  NASCAR combines all three in a cocktail of American awesomeness.

I recently experienced my first live NASCAR race at Phoenix International Speedway for the 2010 Chase Cup.  This was the 2nd to last race of the year there were three drivers in position to make a run for the Cup including Denny Hamlin in the 11 car, Jimmy Johnson in the 48, and Kevin Harvick in the 27.  Me and the race crew of Reid, Trevor, Dennis, Andy, and Tim entered the race track to a cornucopia of greasy fair food -- everything from Papa Johns pizza to salted pretzels to nachos.  For accompaniments there was $7 sixteen ounce "man cans" of Bud Light or Bud Regular.  We grabbed as many delicious tall cans of alcoholic frivolity as our pockets and hands could muster then headed to our seats.

Part of the pre-race festivities included vintage Chevy Corvettes driving each driver around the track to salute their adoring fans.  Following were were two parachuters piercing the sky with American flags and landing in the middle of the track.  Next was the National Anthem and accompanying Blue Angel fighter jets buzzing the track.  Finally there was the famous command of "Gentlemen, Start your Engines" (no Danica Patrick in this race!) and the track came alive. 

One thing you quickly learn at a NASCAR race is the value of ear plugs.  They are absolutely priceless.  With 43 cars zooming by at unmuffled speeds up to 150 mph as well as crowds up to 100k, the noise is deafening.  Thankfully we came prepared but if not I would have traded my two front teeth for some ear protection.  From our seats 75 yards from the track the noise was so deafening that we couldn't even talk to each other; right up next to the track was like being next to a jet engine.  The vibrations, sound, and speed coming off the track were spectacular; it's something you really need to experience in person to have an appreciation for. 

I wanna go fast!

The cars whipped around the track with Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch taking turns at the front.  Denny led for 190 of the 312 laps; however Denny and teammate Kyle Busch made an ill-fated fuel and tire stop around lap 300 when all the other drivers stayed out on the track.  Denny and Kyle were unable to make their way back to the front as the other cars conserved fuel and tires to the finish line.  It was a risk that didn't pan out; poor job by their race teams.  Jimmy Johnson gained valuable Chase Cup points and would overtake Denny for the Chase Cup at last race of the year the following weekend for his fifth consecutive championship.  Poor Denny!  Lucky Jimmy!

Get me 1 more Bud Light!

We hung around the track bar for hours after the race with hundreds of other race fans.  Country music blazed from the sound system and Bud Light man cans were again the drink of choice.  We met a man who must've been Don Mattingly's twin whose wife loved Reid's Kyle Busch "Pedigree Dog Food" shirt so much that Reid gave it to her right off his back.

Whenever you feel like American is slipping, head to a track and take in some gasoline fumes, burning rubber, and the sound of stock cars.  You will be reassured that the simple, hardworking folks of this nation are still among us, camouflaged in their mesh trucker hats and long mullet locks.

My Pit Crew ... refueling!

Infineon Raceways in 2011!