Even though I grew up in Alabama, I’d never attended a race at Talladega Speedway. Until this past weekend that is.
My dear husband approached me with the idea and without hesitation, I agreed.
Oh my. What an event!
The Heart of Dixie sure knows how to throw a party. Beginning Saturday night, we made our way to the “largest, fastest and meanest” NASCAR track. The image of the stadium lit brightly in the night sky was astonishing to me. See I’ve been by a lot of stadiums, both college and pro, but the way Talladega is designed, I think it was meant to be intimidating. However, it wasn’t the stadium that was the most shocking. It was the amount of people. Talladega can house 180,000 fans on race day, and I do believe there were that many in attendance at the concert Saturday evening to see country/rock artist Hardy.
We mostly followed the long lines of people filing into the barricades to load buses and enjoy a ride through the tunnels into the infield.
First, again…the shear amount of people was staggering. As we followed the crowds, I couldn’t help the mental image of cattle being herded into chutes only to end up in a corral. Essentially, that’s what we did. Willingly, mind you. With the raised track stretching around us, it really felt like a giant field made for people instead of livestock. Especially once we were let off the buses.
But. Those buses. I don’t think I’ve ever been more terrified as I was sitting in the window seat on the bus as it screamed through that tunnel at breakneck speed, with only inches to spare on either side, egged on by our fellow riders.
Now, when it comes to loud engines and going fast, I’m an adrenaline junkie for sure. I never missed a beat to sign up to ride a P-51 Mustang or a C-130 airplane which can allow passengers to feel weightlessness at certain intervals of flight. And to be completely honest, I can say I only hesitated for a split second when I jumped out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. But, those bus drivers, now have the pleasure of scaring the “bejeezus” out of me.
Finally, at the concert, it was a sea of people. I was guilty of probably gripping my husband’s hand so tightly that I squeezed all the blood out of it. At 6’1”, he had the slight advantage of being taller than most of the others in attendance so he could see over the crowd to get us to a “clearing” (and I use that term loosely).
While he set about his task of leading us through, I allowed myself to take all the sights and sounds around me. Let me say, I’ve never seen such an eclectic crowd. (And except for the beach, I don’t think I’ve seen that many topless men in one location.)
I also don’t think I’ve ever been in a stadium with such a lack of security. Everyone was allowed to bring in backpacks, coolers, purses, etc., without any searches. Given, the place was crowded with law enforcement everywhere, but it felt so foreign to me after the clear bag policies at almost every event venue I’ve attended in the last 10 years.
Thankfully, there were no incidents.
We stayed for a bit, but the crowds were steadily getting more intoxicated and rambunctious so at our elevated age, we decided to head back to the hotel for sleep.
The next morning, I was up and ready to see what this whole NASCAR thing was all about. In the daylight, the stadium seemed even more impressive. We arrived well before the race was set to begin so we were able to walk around and enjoy all the festivities and booths.
To me, the whole event made me think about the crowds in Mobile or New Orleans gathered for Mardi Gras. The feel and atmosphere was one of celebration and festivals.
After scoring some gear, food and drinks we headed in to find our seats. Little did we know we were seated only three rows from the front.
Now, this was my hubby’s second time visiting so the fact that our seats were so close to the track seemed to register to him differently than it did me. I soon found out why.
As those cars began their turns around the track at a lower speed, I thought, “Well this isn’t so bad. They aren’t that loud.”
Then, they kicked it up a few gears and made their first pass by our seats going 190 mph.
So many thoughts occurred to me in that moment.
First of all, yes, they were loud.
Second, WOW! Seeing them zoom by at those speeds it is impossible to watch them in focus. They were a blur of colors and sounds.
Third, no one warned me about the blast of air from the tailwinds. (Actually, those winds were the only thing that made it tolerable to sit in the sun on a 90-degree sweltering Alabama afternoon.)
Fourth, I had no idea that sitting that close would result in getting pelted with tiny little asphalt and concrete pebbles kicked up from the extra wide racing tires. In fact, both the hubs and me found rocks in our hair when we showered.
And finally, I got it. I finally understood the draw for NASCAR fans. I appreciate that the event is more than just a few cars driving in a circle for a while. I was shocked to see how fan-friendly the sport is.
So on that note, I’ll leave you with these thoughts. If you get the chance to visit Talladega Speedway, do it. And you will not hear me making fun of the sport ever again.
Now my goal is to ride with them at those speeds at least once around the track.
