The true signs of Autumn: Leaves changing; School Starting; and NASCAR!
With the summer winding down, one can begin to see the signs that autumn is quickly upon us. The leaves are beginning to change color. The Back-to-School sales are in full swing. And, everyone is looking forward to NASCAR coming to Richmond.
Having lived in Richmond all my life, I am very familiar with the sights and sounds of race week. Twice daily - to and from work - I pass by Richmond International Raceway where the race is held. As race weekend approaches, an atmosphere develops very similar to a circus or state fair. This is appropriate since the raceway was formerly the fairgrounds where the annual state fair was held. Early in the week, the fans begin to converge on the area with their mobile homes, campers and trucks. Flags supporting their favorite drivers are everywhere.
In the surrounding neighborhoods around the raceway, signs appear offering camping and parking spaces to those in need. Many people in the area earn a large portion of their annual income from the money made during race week renting out their front yards. Although with the decline in the economy and reduced attendance, there is not quite as much money to be made as in previous years.
It is very amusing to drive into town during race week and pass by the raceway early in the morning and see bare-chested good old boys with their beer bellies hanging over their pants sitting on the tailgates of their trucks or in lawn chairs in front of their campers having their morning coffee and cooking breakfast. This is truly the only way to live!
Closer to race day, the traffic patterns in the area begin to change. When driving down "360", there is a steady stream of vehicles heading toward the racetrack from all directions--flags and banners of favorite drivers flying. If you are lucky enough to hit a red light at "360" and Laburnum, usually on Wednesday evening before race day, you can experience the delight of what I call the Driver's Big Rig Train - a line of rigs bringing in the drivers' cars. It is truly a sight to behold. I guess you could call it NASCAR's circus train.
These are some of my fondest memories of race week. And all this is BEFORE the race even begins! Please share your memories. And that's the view from here. SH