Racing

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. 

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend at NASCAR race as a guest of Kelley Blue Book. Over the course of the weekend, I came to realize that like any sport there is a high level of complexity involved in NASCAR that may be confusing to new fans. With NASCAR racing though, I think it gets even more complicated since it all seems so simple initially. So many people think all that it is simply a driver pressing the gas pedal down and turning left. In reality though, there are so many levels of complexity that the races can be fun to watch for new and old fans alike... but with a little help getting started.

Most sports fans dream of visiting a favorite stadium, birthplace, or hall of fame at some point in their lives. For most sports though, there is an inherent challenge with that since everything is so spread out. For instance, while Cooperstown might be a great place for baseball fans - it's nowhere near a major league stadium. With NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is THAT PLACE. Not only is this the home of one of the finest NASCAR tracks that I've ever visited - but they also host the NASCAR Hall of Fame, team garages, parts and technology innovators, and you can even follow in the footsteps of racing legends like Dale Earnhardt by visiting his hometown.

There’s something special about donuts – no not just the fried ones – but the burning rubber and smoking tires type. It’s a celebration of freedom and a way to literally leave your mark after a major accomplishment. The thrill of watching from the stands or side of the track as an expert driver like BFGoodrich Performance Team Member RJ Anderson makes a perfect race donut is something that everyone out there deserves to experience at least once.

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.

Today we're talking with Brad Lovell who is a Baja 1000 champion and BFGoodrich ambassador about his love of driving and exploring awesome places.

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.  

There aren't many things that could convince me to wake up at 3 a.m. but I think I found one and that's the Great Reno Balloon Race. This year, the event featured nearly 100 balloons ranging from simple round ones to ornate ones shaped like stagecoaches, sea horses and even Darth Vader's mask. The event is the largest free hot-air ballooning event in the world and it is held every September in Reno, Nevada.

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!  

The Indianapolis 500 has been run 99 times in the past 104 years. Beginning with the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 a pace car has led the field to the green flag. During the previous 98 races there have been some odd, improbable and just plain goofy vehicles selected or modified to lead the field, but the Indianapolis 500 established the role of the pace for the race and all other circuit-style races.

Well maybe not 500 ways in this article, but you might be surprised to learn there are easily 500 great experiences awaiting you in Indianapolis. Certainly experience no. 1 is the Indianapolis 500 race weekend.

This isn't quite a "Fathers and Sons" trip, but last year I was invited to join my Father-In-Law and his friend on their annual trip to the mecca of motor-sports, the Indianapolis 500. While I am for the most part a NASCAR fan I have become attached to the spirit of auto racing in general, so I had a fantastic time.

Additionally, I am proud to say that I survived a flea-bag motel so bad that even the roaches didn't stay there, a thunderstorm that started while we were sitting atop a metal bleacher, and the hundreds of thousands of people who descend upon the Indianapolis Motor Speedway each year.

Just imagine being given a ride in an Indy racing car by a guy who’s won two Indy 500s.

We arrived at Chicagoland Speedway at 12:30 p.m. and I went to the Credentials trailer.  I showed my picture ID and was handed three pages of legal paperwork and various waivers of liability to read and sign. I was already wondering if maybe I was in for more of a thrill than I bargained for.