The Infield Guru: Sonoma Raceway

Showing posts with label Sonoma Raceway. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

NASCAR on Road Courses = Boring? Or is It?

Actually attending a NASCAR race at a road course track will give you a different perspective you can't get from watching on TV.
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson

I had never been a fan of watching NASCAR road course races on TV. Unless you’re familiar with the track, it can be difficult to follow, making the races = Boring!!!

1. The twists & turns only let the TV crews follow one or two cars on the track at a time.

With so many turns it's difficult for the camera crews to effectively
follow many cars on the track. © Photos by Paul Wilkinson

2. TV crews tend to only follow the lead cars and seem to ignore other actual racing going on.

3. The constant changing cameras at every turn, every two seconds makes the broadcast feel so “choppy” - Ugh, hate it!

Or IS it BORING? Since I was able to go to Sonoma Raceway this year and experience my first road course NASCAR racing IN PERSON, I actually found it fascinating.

1. I could see almost the entire track from my seating area.

2. Using my Racing Electronics Scanner and headset it was nice to “hear” and “see” where ALL the cars were on the track, even with the varying pit strategies after the cars were strung out at different places on the track after a long green flag run.

With cars getting so strung out over the track from long green flag runs and pit strategies, scanners/headsets are a must in order to follow the action.
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson

3. Although car speeds were much slower than you’d find on a super speedway oval, it sure didn’t look like they were driving slow.

Average speeds are much slower overall, but with cars taking corners at tops speeds make the racing look FAST and fun!
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson

With cars racing RAIN or SHINE, I was doing the rain dance hoping for some wet weather to see how these cars performed on their Goodyear racing rain tires.

I look forward to watching NASCAR in the rain to see how Goodyear's racing tires hold up.
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson

With NASCAR racing at Watkins Glen International , the best suggestion I can make to anyone who is NOT a road course fan is . . . GO WATCH IT IN PERSON! It’ll give you a new perspective on NASCAR road course race if you are not a fan.

What do you think of NASCAR racing on road courses?

Don’t forget to “LIKE” us here and on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NascarInfieldCamping). You can also follow me on Twitter @InfieldGuru. #InfieldNation, #SeeYOUOnTheInfield

**©2015 The Infield Guru. The Infield Guru is not affiliated with and does not endorse any track or driver. This article is for informational & entertainment purposes only. There are no guarantees regarding the availability or quantities of any offers that may be shown above. Prices subject to change without notice. Please contact the specific track or appropriate website for more detailed information regarding limits and expiration of these offers. If any links fail to open, check your pop-up blocking software or consider calling the tracks directly.

Monday, July 27, 2015

RV Travel and NASCAR - Freeway Travel Apps

After completing a 1,200 mile round trip to Sonoma Raceway while towing a vehicle, I wanted to share with you THREE really cool smart phone apps and tips that are good during freeway travel.

1. Using the “GasBuddy” App.

Finding a gas station with the best prices that allowed easy
in/out access for my RV and Tow Vehicle was important.© Photo By Paul Wilkinson

This app was helpful in finding the least expensive fuel. It also informed us if there were more than one gas station coming up. This gave us options with regards to the size of my RV and length of tow to select a location that was easy to get in and out.

Your debit/credit cards may limit the amount of fuel purchased at the pump. On one occasion after I had reached my "limit", the price actually went down while I was standing there.

The price of fuel actually went down from when I started to fill my tank.
© Photo By Paul Wilkinson

2. Using the “Maps” App.

Although it was helpful in getting us in the correct general direction and ultimately to our final destination, we found that having the "fastest route" or "show traffic" updates on would result in multiple options which would unexpectedly update those instructions. Including those to randomly get on/off the freeway.

My stubbornness to get off the freeway when "told", actually saved us from "imaginary" detours and traffic.

3. Using the “Waze” App

Although I must admit I did NOT use this app for this trip, I have used it in the past. This app shows other “Waze” users who input traffic, hazards and other road conditions that could affect your travel plans including potential police speed traps looking for out of state travelers.

I am not the biggest fan of this app for several reasons; unless you have someone with you to input potential traffic issues, you're basically texting while driving. Also, the amount of data it uses and how quickly it drains your phone battery with continuous use in my opinion is somewhat excessive.

I am sure there are other helpful “Travel Apps” out there, so, what kind of “Travel Apps” do you use when on the road?

Don’t forget to “LIKE” us here and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NascarInfieldCamping). You can also follow me on Twitter @InfieldGuru. #InfieldNation, #SeeYOUOnTheInfield

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Wifey Meets her Favorite NASCAR Driver

Brian's "purple" #55 Car.

As big of a NASCAR camping fan that I am, my wifey is nice enough to tolerate my obsession with it.

“Mrs. Infield Guru” attended her first races only two years ago at the Auto ClubSpeedway in Fontana. I told her that in order to make the races more fun she should choose a driver to follow.

So she did what any normal non-obsessed woman might do – she picked the “purple” car, which so happened to be the Michael Waltrip Racing #55 with Brian Vickers.

After Brian’s medical issues this year, she remained faithful to her team and continues to follow the #55 car.

Sonoma Raceway Pit Road 2015.
© Photo By Paul Wilkinson

At the races at Sonoma Raceway this year, she was able to go into the garage area with a Hot Pass and was able to get an autograph and pictures with her “new” driver David Ragan.

David Ragan, #55 Michael Waltrip Racing.
© Photos By Paul Wilkinson

She’s still not a NASCAR junkie (I’m working on it) but she had a good time in the pits and garage areas before the races.

How did you pick your favorite NASCAR driver?

Don’t forget to “LIKE” us here and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NascarInfieldCamping). You can also follow me on Twitter @InfieldGuru. #InfieldNation, #SeeYOUOnTheInfield

Monday, June 22, 2015

Infield Jen's Dedicated Fan in the Stands Reporter: Sonoma Raceway

Wifey and I are just a day away before we begin our trip to Sonoma Raceway for this weekend's NASCAR camping fun! RV is almost packed, house sitter is in place, our two dogs and cat are all set.

Ready for Sonoma Raceway NASCAR weekend!
© Photo by Paul Wilkinson

What we're really looking forward to is being Infield Jen's "Dedicated Fan in the Stands Race Reporters" for the weekend. I've been in the pits, rode a Pace Car before the start of an "Indy Race", but this will be our first time in the garage at a NASCAR event!

I’m not a big autograph collecting person, but I’m thinking if the opportunity presents itself I’ll just have to go for it. What I like to do, is to actually shake their hands & maybe politely ask for a picture with them.

I would really like to meet most of all (not in any specific order), Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr and Carl Edwards. Any others would just be an awesome bonus. I’ll let you know how it goes.

I'd love the opportunity to meet Carl Edwards if I get the chance.

If you’ve ever been in the garages for a NASCAR race, what are YOUR suggestions of what to do first? Let me know!

Don't forget to SHARE this post with your friends and "LIKE" us on Facebook . Also you can now follow me on Twitter @InfieldGuru or by clicking the links on the right. #InfieldNation, #SeeYOUOnTheInfield.

** ©2015 The Infield Guru. The Infield Guru is not affiliated with and does not endorse any specific track or driver. This article is for information & entertainment purposes only. There are no guarantees regarding the availability or quantities of any of the above items. Prices are subject to change without notice. Please contact the specific track or appropriate websites for more detailed information regarding limits and expiration of these offers. If the links fail to open for you, check your pop-up blocking software or consider calling the tracks directly.

Heading to Sonoma Raceway! Getting Ready!

As I prepare for NASCAR at Sonoma Raceway it really takes some planning to make sure things aren’t forgotten and to help keep costs down.

The excitement started months ago when wifey first gave the O.K. to plan for a trip to the first of two scheduled NASCAR road course races of the season

Getting the RV washed off and ready for the races.

Getting things ready to load up is a little different at my place. Because I live in a Home Owner’s Association (HOA) they have specific rules regarding how early you can bring the RV to the house to get it loaded. So our dining room table becomes our NASCAR race pre-loading zone.

Here are FIVE tips to make planning your trip less stressful:

1. Create a shopping list. Start your list early so when you find sales or coupons for non-perishable items you can get them at reduced costs, as well as, spreading the expense over several weeks/ paydays.

2. Schedule maintenance on your RV/Camper early. Many service centers are booked weeks, if not months, in advance making important routine maintenance items a challenge to get completed if you wait.

3. Plan you road trip to the track. If you are traveling any significant distance you may need to stay at a campground prior to heading to your site location. Be sure to print out your reservation confirmation so if you arrive late or your reservation can’t be found because their computers are down. If you think you’ll be late arriving, be sure to call the front office to find out their procedures for late check-ins.

4. Don’t forget your Race Tickets. Make sure you put your tickets where you won’t forget them as you head out the door!

5. HAVE FUN! If this is your first time – get ready to meet some great people! If you’ve done this before enjoy your time with your NASCAR camping friends.

What are some things you do to get ready to camp at NASCAR?