The Infield Guru: track infields

Showing posts with label track infields. 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 6, 2015

Pizza Sub Sandwiches

You’re camping at the track and looking for something simple to make other than hamburgers and hot dogs. Try some easy to make Pizza Sub Sandwiches.

What you need:

Prepare your Pizza Sub Sandwich ingredients.
© Photo By Paul Wilkinson

· 4 – 6 Deli Grinder Rolls

· 2 – 3 Packages of pre-sliced pepperoni

· 1 Packages Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

· 1 Cans of Pizza Sauce

· Other assorted ingredient toppings of your choice: Ham, Ground Beef, Mushrooms, Onions, Peppers, Bacon, Sausage, etc . . .

· Cooking Spray (PAM) or butter

· Aluminum Foil

Directions:

· Prepare your toppings to your taste. Most people are O.K. with just pepperoni and cheese, but if you like other toppings, chop some ham, prepare some ground beef, bacon sausage and/or veggies.

Slice deli rolls and add pizza sauce.
© Photo By Paul Wilkinson

· Slice your Deli Grinder Rolls lengthwise.

· Place Roll on Aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray or butter the outside of your bread roll to prevent it from sticking to the foil.

· Spread Pizza Sauce on the roll.

· Add pepperoni and/or other toppings to taste.

· Add Mozzarella Cheese.

Add desire toppings & cheese to preferred taste.
© Photos By Paul Wilkinson

· Bake over heated grill using indirect heat (to prevent burning the bread) for 15 – 20 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.

Place on indirect heat 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
© Photo By Paul Wilkinson

Serve Hot as a sandwich or cut in half and eat as a pizza snack! Enjoy!

Serve Hot & Enjoy!
© Photo By Paul Wilkinson

What are some things you like to prepare for dinner while camping at NASCAR?

Don’t forget to “LIKE” us here and on Face Book (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.

Looking forward to seeing some of cars and action in the garage.
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson

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.

Ready to load up for Sonoma Raceway!
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson

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.

My dining room table becomes the pre-loading/Staging area.
© Photos by Paul Wilkinson

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?

Saturday, April 4, 2015

NASCAR Camping Rookies - "The Caution Tape"

Most race fans know that "Rookie" drivers must add a "YELLOW STRIPE" to the back of their cars so veteran drivers can use caution as they approach them on the track.

Many have asked me, "What's up with the people wearing "Caution Tape" in the infield?". Whether you've camped at NASCAR a couple years, or have been going since the track opened if you haven't heard of this time tested tradition, let me explain.

Those individuals you see walking around instructed to wear caution tape are "INFIELD ROOKIES". Many infield veterans will adorn their FIRST TIME campers in yellow "CAUTION TAPE", to easily identify them much like NASCAR does with their rookie drivers.

"Race Rookies" enjoying the stories of a Veteran NASCAR camper at Michigan International Speedway.
© Photo by Melanie Milne

I'm not sure when the infield "Rookie Tape" started, but I was initiated into this realm of this crazy infield fun at Michigan International Speedway!

LOST & UNAFRAID !!
© Photo by Patti Buchanan

What I learned was that there is no place to be shy while wearing your "Rookie Tape". People will come out of places in the campground you didn't know existed to talk with you. Some will offer food and drink(s) to welcome someone new to the NASCAR camping.

Veteran infielders may share their own "Rookie" stories and offer life changing advice. Whether too warn of the infield track rules a "Rookie" may be skirting the grey areas on, things they should check out (Fan Zone, Pit Road, etc) or something more profound.

Who doesn't want to hear one more home remedy of the best way to get rid of that nasty headache and hangover you may have in the morning?

If lost, people are more receptive to pleas to find a campsite. They may not always get the correct directions or information, but there's always someone willing to "help".

Sadly, many infield campers have never heard of this "rights of passage" with the Saturday night "Rookie Walk", where first time campers dress in costumes as they parade through the infield.

Unfortunately, veteran campers with their "Rookies", will always run into those unfamiliar with the tradition & ask , "What are they wearing that for?", "Are they a "Newbie" or something?" , "I would never do that!", well . . .

. . . don't be surprised if you get the "REALLY?!? Did you just call my "ROOKIE" a "NEWBIE?" look.

Sprint Fan Zone assists this "Race Rookie" to select a driver to follow (Kyle Larson, who happened to be a "Rookie" himself at the time) at Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA, 2014.
© Photo by Paul Wilkinson

This is not meant to be a malicious or a humiliating experience. Just another way to have a little fun at the track infield. Those that elect to do this, do it VOLUNTARILY. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen an "Rookie" infielder upset with the extra attention.

"Rookies" tend to watch out for each other. Whether from having a little too much to drink, finding themselves lost or just to meet and say "Hi". They find themselves in their own little fraternity of friends to share a great experience.

SHARE your "Rookie" infield camping experience with us here!

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

Evidence of what could happen to a "Rookie" without the use of "Caution Tape".
© Photo by Melanie Milne

Getting ready for the Saturday night "Rookie Walk" at Michigan International Speedway infield.
© Photo by Patti Buchanan

NO Shame, just FUN!

The calm before the storm - "McLovin" resting up before his big night!
© Photo by Paul Wilkinson

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.

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!

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

"Monte Carlo" (Cristo) Breakfast Sandwiches - Can You Say YUM!

Anybody can eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast while camping at NASCAR. But why not make some "Monte Carlo" (Cristo) Breakfast Sandwiches that EVERYONE will love? Can you say YUM!

What you need: (Makes approx. 8 sandwiches)

1 Package "Texas Toast" Bread (regular bread works too..but why?)
1 Package of Sliced Swiss Cheese (or your preference)
1 Dozen Eggs or Large Carton of Egg Mix
2 -3 Packages of Deli Meats (your preference, we used Ham & Turkey)
1 Bottle of Syrup
Butter & some Powdered Sugar
Disposable cooking tin
Paper Plate, Plastic Fork & Napkins

Directions:

Pre-heat your grill or pan for cooking.
Mix eggs in a cooking tin.
Coat two slices of bread (both sides) in egg mix french toast style & place on grill.
Flip bread when nicely browned.
Add 2-4 slices of meat, top with Swiss cheese, Top with second slice of French Toast.

Add butter & syrup to preference, sprinkle with powdered sugar and they are ready to eat! This is a great way to make friends with your neighbors if you have any extras. ENJOY!

What are some things that YOU do to for meals in the NASCAR Infield?

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

Night of Destruction - No "Imaginary" Cautions for Debris!

What do you get when you when you put 30 cars on a 1/2 mile, dirt track with tractor tires, water barrels, boats and other obstacles? One crazy "Night of Destruction" with absolutely NO "imaginary" Cautions for Debris! Actually, No Cautions EVER!!

Perris Auto Speedway, in Perris, California held their Nights of Destruction #1 when local race enthusiast brought their "tricked out rides" for a racing event that had me and my wife laughing our asses off all night.

"Night of Destruction" cars & drivers showing off their rides pre-race.

As cool as they are, I recommend a tetanus shot just to LOOK at some of these cars! Cars prepped by their proud owners for an evening of Demo Cross, Figure 8's, Trailer Figure 8's and spectator racing.

The first of two main events was the 1/4 mile "Trailer Figure 8's" with simple rules:
1. The trailers had to stay attached to the vehicles until the end of the race
2. Items on the trailer did NOT have to remain on the trailer.

I'm pretty sure those were all the rules.

Trailers loaded with a variety of items that included boats, jet skis, mattresses, dining tables and chairs, couches and swimming pools hit the track for 12 laps of pure motorized "Figure 8" racing madness, as those items fell onto the track.

You know it's redneck when the announcer says, "Whoa, they just DEMOLISHED that boat in the intersection!" OR "Look Out! There goes the jet ski!"

They second main event was 20 laps of 1/2 mile racing which rules included...well, there weren't any rules that I was aware of, except you just have to be in front at the checkered flag.

This event had 30 competitors racing around (or through) tractor tires, water barrels, boats and other assorted obstacles scattered around the track. Drivers unable to keep up with faster cars are not penalized, nor discouraged from going all out "Danica Patrick" on the leaders as they passed.

Just when you thought this was all for your amusement, you find out the drivers are competing for season long championship points, a big ass trophy and a check for $500 (presumably to repair or purchase a car for the next races).

This was a fun night of hilarity and recommend anyone who hasn't been to a "Night of Destruction" check out your local track and go!

Have you ever been to a demolition race or participated in one? Share your story and pictures with us here.

Don't forget to SHARE this post with your friends. For more photos "LIKE" us on Facebook & follow me on Twitter @InfieldGuru or by clicking the links on the right. #InfieldNation, #SeeYOUOnTheInfield

The Infield Guru