NASCAR

NASCAR is a unique motorsport in a number of ways but probably the most profound is the family-friendly culture. While many races offer a great opportunity for fathers and sons of all ages to have a fabulous experience, NASCAR has heritage and tradition firmly embedded in the core of the experience. While NASCAR as a league was founded in 1948, the tradition goes back far longer to the bootleggers of Appalachia and the speed enthusiasts racing on the beach at Daytona. Over these more than 100 years of stock car racing heritage, there has continued to be a deep connection shared between fathers and sons. Not only in the stands watching the races and cheering on their favorite teams - but generations of drivers passing the thrill of driving fast from father to son as well. 

If you’re even remotely into cars, performance or special events (and who isn’t) then winging your way on over to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to catch the final regular season Monster Energy NASCAR race is something you need to do. Mustangs, Camaros and Camry silhouette-bodied cars battled it out during the Big Machine Vodka 400 in a make or break event for drivers to win their way in, or earn enough points to make the 10-race playoffs that determine the 2019 Monster Energy NASACR Cup.

Often times, going to a NASCAR race is about the only thing on your agenda. Frankly, most tracks are so far out in the middle of nowhere that it's difficult to plan anything other than an awesome weekend of racing. Chicagoland Speedway is different though and there's a surprising amount of stuff to do at the race and beyond. With that in mind, we set out to the Camping World 400, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway followed by some time exploring the surrounding area of Joliet, Illinois. 

To the uninitiated race fan, it might seem like a top NASCAR driver like Matt Kenseth is simply doing what we all do every day - just a whole lot faster. While it's true that he's driving a car, there's a lot of training and physical fitness involved that makes him and his crew able to do the amazing feats you see them do on race day. For instance, in some turns a driver will experience 3 G's of force - making a 160 pound driver weigh 480 pounds in a turn. On top of this, the in-car temperatures can reach 120 degrees and yet they still need to be alert and able to response with lightning quick reflexes as they race around the track at up to 200 mph. 

NASCAR haulers are an absolute marvel that has the ability to transform from a truck that hauls stuff from race to race into a high-tech mobile command center. Over the years, I've walked by hundreds of NASCAR haulers but never had the opportunity to go inside and see what it looks like and how the team actually uses it on a race weekend. Thanks to Kelley Blue Book though, I got my opportunity when they invited me to join them at the New Hampshire Motorspeedway.

For the ultimate NASCAR fan, there's no bigger achievement than actually owning a car driven my your favorite driver. Short of buying an actual team, this is probably the closest you will ever come to living out those Days of Glory dreams. For most people though, this is simply a fantasy but it's actually surprisingly easy to achieve and a lot less expensive than you might think.

Pilot Flying J invited me to the NASCAR spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway so we could learn more about the Pilot Flying J #BattleAtBristol. The cool thing about this is we were granted some pretty cool access to things things most NASCAR fans dream of! We were also able to meet Michael Annett, the driver of the #46 Pilot Flying J car. Not only that but we got to watch the race from his pit box!

NASCAR is an great American past-time that allows fans an up close and personal view of their favorite cars, drivers, teams and the owners!  Recently I was invited to a weekend with Crown Royal and NASCAR at the Jeff Kyle Brickyard 400 and had a once in lifetime experience with 11 other bloggers.  Our weekend started with a fun filled evening at the fabulous Georgia Reese's in downtown Indianapolis for whiskey tasting and a delicious dinner.  Our tasting of the Crown Royal blends and dinner was hosted by Master of Whiskey, Stephen Wilson.  This small quaint event was the meet and greet with the Crown Royal PR staff, and us bloggers.  While we were chatting and enjoying the ambiance, we learned about the uniqueness of the Crown Royal blends and how they differ from Irish whiskeys and American whiskeys.  

This weekend the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with be hosting the Crown Royal Jeff Kyle Brickyard 400.  I will be heading to the IMS to provide you with behind the scenes access from Pit Row to Victory Lane!  This year Crown Royal held a contest to find a Hero to name the race after.  The winner this year is Jeff Kyle, SGT USMC (Ret). This is the 9th time Crown Royal has awarded naming rights to a NASCAR race to an adult fan.  Talk about a unique experience, this will be Jeff's first NASCAR race and he is the namesake!