Showing posts with label nascar introduction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nascar introduction. Show all posts

Thursday, April 2, 2015

NASCAR Infield - "Meeting Your Camping Neighbors"

If you're new to the NASCAR camping scene or moved sites from the year before, "Meeting Your Camping Neighbors" for the first time can be an awesome, awkward or horrible moment.

"Are they quiet?", "Do they party and play loud music?", "Will they get mad if YOU party and play loud music?".  RV spaces in the infield are quite cozy so if this is your first time meeting them, then these and many other questions get answered quickly.
View from the top of our RV looking towards backstretch/Turn 3 at Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA.
© Photo by Paul Wilkinson
Depending on who around you arrives first can set the tone for the weekend by how they place their camp site.  I prefer to park with the RV door facing towards a neighbor's door to maximize & share the "common area" between sites.  

Others may want their privacy and have their doors facing away from you, which places their rigs on the site line nearest you, minimizing your usable space.

When I arrived at my site, my neighbors to the left ( as you look at the site from the road) had just arrived and were backed in setting up.  They were a foot over my site line with their slide outs extended.  My neighbors on the right were already in place at the far right with their door facing my site.

What made sense for me, was to pull in forward.  Since my slide outs are on the driver's side, this allowed me to park as close as possible to my neighbors on the left.  This opened the common area between myself and neighbors to the right, while allowing the maximum space for my neighbors on the left - a total WIN, WIN, WIN!  

Everyone was happy with that set-up and it worked out great.
Worked out well with us and neighbors with this set-up.
© Photo by Paul Wilkinson
Several things COULD have happened to make this story end differently; 

1.  I could have been an "A'Hole" and told the neighbor over my line to get back on his side.

2.  I could have been a "HUGE A'Hole" and backed in and screwed both myself and my neighbors to my right.

What I actually did was what any civilized "non-A'Hole" NASCAR camping fan SHOULD do . . .

. . . get out of the rig, make introductions to BOTH neighbors and communicate with them to maximize the space.  They could have easily been "A'Holes", in which option 1 and/or 2 could have easily come back into play, but that was NOT THE CASE!  


I got pretty lucky this year when I elected to change sites at Auto Club Speedway I got some GREAT NASCAR camping neighbors!  
This year we had GREAT neighbors & also met their cool friends.
© Photo by Paul Wilkinson
Even after talking to our neighbors (RV pictured on right) when they arrived the year before, they decided it was best for them to back in leaving only a few feet between us.  His generator & exhaust only a couple feet from my door.  They would only talk to us when they came out to start their generator for the rest of the weekend.  Maybe he thought WE were A'holes. but in reality they were "HUGE A'holes!"  © Photo by Paul Wilkinson
So don't be a NASCAR camping scrooge!  Get out, meet the neighbors, share a drink, a meal, laugh together and have some fun!  Remember EVERYONE is there to have a good time.  

Before you know it, instead of just being NASCAR camping neighbors, you will all become a piece of a larger NASCAR camping family and maybe even friends for life!  

Visiting my friends & neighbors that were TWO sites over from me the year before.
© Photo by Paul Wilkinson
What do you and your NASCAR family do special when you see each other at the track?


Don't forget to SHARE this post with your friends and "LIKE" us on Facebook & 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.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Jeff Gordon's Last Ride - "GO TO THE PITS"!!


Jeff Gordon heading to driver introductions
at the Auto Club 400, March 2015.
©  Photo by Simon Napolis
One of my favorite things to do when camping at NASCAR is to "GO TO THE PITS" with a
pre-race pit pass.  I like to see what kind of cool
pictures I can get of the cars or drivers as they walk by.

If you have never taken the time,  I highly recommend (at least once) you purchase a pit pass and check out the action for yourself.  It offers a different perspective on the work that goes into preparing each car getting ready for qualifying, practices and the races. 

A lot has been said over different media outlets regarding Jeff Gordon's last year in NASCAR.  Whether you love him or hate him, his race accomplishments, championships and charitable contributions speak for themselves.

Each track this year have given him some nice "retirement" gifts and special tributes in honor of his racing at their facilities for many years.  
Auto Club Speedway Tribute to Jeff Gordon on pit road wall, March 2015.
©  Photo by Paul Wilkinson
Bottom line, this could be the last chance to get those Jeff Gordon pictures or autographs you may have always wanted while he's still wearing his fire suit and racing the 24 car.  Contact your local track to find out if they are offering any pit pass purchase incentives or other deals.

What are some of your favorite Jeff Gordon or other driver moments?  Check out some photos below from the 2015 Auto Club 400 weekend.

Don't forget to SHARE this post with your friends and "LIKE" us on Facebook & follow me on Twitter @InfieldGuru or by clicking the links on the right.  #InfieldNation, #SeeYOUOnTheInfield
Team 24 Car Hauler enters Auto Club Speedway through the infield tunnel.
March 2015
©  Photo by Paul Wilkinson

24 car on display in the Team Chevy/ Fan Zone
at Auto Club Speedway, March 2015.
©  Photo by Paul Wilkinson
Jeff Gordon during practice at Auto Club Speedway, March 2015.
©  Photo by Kerry Collins

Jeff Gordon photo display at Auto Club Speedway, March 2015.
©  Photo by Paul Wilkinson


Jeff Gordon answers fan questions at a Q & A hosted by
 Auto Club Speedway, March 2011.
©  Photo by Paul Wilkinson



Wednesday, October 29, 2014

NASCAR Camping Things to Do – “The Pit Pass”

You’re camping the infield, getting your party on – GREAT - but make sure you make time for another NASCAR camping things to do while you’re at the track (at least once) by purchasing a pit pass to be up close and personal to pit road activities.
Austin Dillon heads to the track for final practice.
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson.
Unless you are extremely hung over from the night before, nothing beats the roar of engines and the smell of rubber than being right next to these cars as they go to and from the track during practice and qualifying sessions. 

Dale Jr signs autographs on pit row.
© Photos by Patti Buchanan
As a bonus you’ll be close to “autograph row” where you might get that quick picture and possibly an autograph with your favorite drivers and crews. Please Be polite and remember they are working, they respond to ass holes just like you and I do - by being ass holes back.  Don’t be “that guy” who ruins someone else’s dream of meeting their favorite drive.    

If you’re camping with a group, make arrangements to split the cost to purchase one or two pit passes to share with those in your party that want to include a trip to pit road during race weekend.

Check your favorite tracks websites or Facebook pages for pit pass pricing and check for additional contests that may offer opportunities to be selected for Pace Car Hot Laps, Garage Access, VIP Packages, private driver Q & A sessions or pre-race driver meetings and introductions to enhance your infield camping race experience. 
Pre-race "Cold Pass" for the Garage area.
© Photos by Melanie Milne
Long time infield campers and season ticket holders are often rewarded with discounted pit pass tickets when pre-purchased and some tracks may even offer additional incentives by renewing tickets and camp sites early. 

With that said, wear comfortable shoes, hat/visor, pack plenty of water and sun screen, your Sharpie, and make sure your camera is fully charged as it’s a NASCAR Camping Things to Do you’ll want to share and remember. 

Have fun and share your “Pit Pass” photos and stories here.  
Setting up the pit box for the NNS race.
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson.
Jeff Gordon's Crew takes the 24 back to the garage for some adjustments.
© Photos by Patti Buchanan
Don't forget you can now follow on Twitter @infieldguru and Facebook by clicking on the right!  See you there!

Saturday, September 13, 2014

My introduction to NASCAR Infield Camping

My introduction to NASCAR infield camping, came eight years ago, because of my best friend's insistence.   She had been going to Michigan International Speedway (MIS) NASCAR races for the past 25+ years, and felt it was time for me to ~