Bristol Night Race Pre-Race Thread

[ToyYoda]

My view for the night.

 

[hmmm298]

My view for the night.View attachment 87602

I used to go to at least one Bristol race with my dad and uncle every year, but we stopped because I’m just not able to walk far enough anymore. The last time I went was I think in either 17 or 18.
But we always had seats above turn 4 with almost the exact same view. Almost the exact opposite seats on the opposite side of the track from this picture, but same view basically at Bristol. This brought back some great memories.

I think back to watching races there and I remember being able to see the whole track and you always end up just spotting a couple of cars going at it battling for a position, no matter what position. Then you look around and move on the watch some others for a few minutes etc when you are at a track like Bristol. There’s always plenty of action.

A thought I had was this. I realize it would only really work at short tracks like Bristol etc. But with them having the in cars etc broadcast on HBO, why not put a “fan view” cam there from up in the grandstands that shows the whole track with the option to watch from the point of view of the grandstands like you’re at the track. I think it would sell and be a bit at places like Bristol and Martinsville.

This picture brought back so many memories though I’d love more than anything to go back.

 

[hmmm298]

I used to go to at least one Bristol race with my dad and uncle every year, but we stopped because I’m just not able to walk far enough anymore. The last time I went was I think in either 17 or 18.
But we always had seats above turn 4 with almost the exact same view. Almost the exact opposite seats on the opposite side of the track from this picture, but same view basically at Bristol. This brought back some great memories.

I think back to watching races there and I remember being able to see the whole track and you always end up just spotting a couple of cars going at it battling for a position, no matter what position. Then you look around and move on the watch some others for a few minutes etc when you are at a track like Bristol. There’s always plenty of action.

A thought I had was this. I realize it would only really work at short tracks like Bristol etc. But with them having the in cars etc broadcast on HBO, why not put a “fan view” cam there from up in the grandstands that shows the whole track with the option to watch from the point of view of the grandstands like you’re at the track. I think it would sell and be a bit at places like Bristol and Martinsville.

This picture brought back so many memories though I’d love more than anything to go back.

To add to this and some context. You guys likely do not know this, as I normally do not share this or talk much about it at all. I’m not doing so in any way shape or form looking for sympathy etc, but because over the years I feel like I’ve gotten to know you guys over the years here as much as you can on an Internet forum. It seems we come from all walks of life here, and because most of you are true race fans I think you will probably understand this.

I used to go to Bristol almost yearly as mentioned. It stopped because I slowly began to be able to walk less and less. It’s due to an autoimmune disease affecting the spine. I’m barely able to walk 10 yards and should be in a wheelchair. Again I normally don’t talk about that. At all, but Bristol is honestly a very emotional weekend for me now. Bristol is my happy place, and I’ll never get to experience it again.
Also I mentioned I normally was in turn 4 but I have been in then 2 also in almost the exact spot that picture was taken.
So the point is thank you for sharing this picture.
@ToyYoda

 

[Charlie Spencer]

I used to go to at least one Bristol race with my dad and uncle every year, but we stopped because I’m just not able to walk far enough anymore.

Dad and I used to go to four or five races in the southeast every year. Our Bristol seats were in turn four, above the tunnel. Great seats for the fall race; they're in the shade most of the day so they don't get hot.

We had to quit in his late 70s, after he broke his leg. After that mostly healed, he insisted on going to one more Southern 500 since we already had tickets. As is typical with race fans, people practically fell over themselves helping him up and down the steps.

Good luck, man!

 

[hmmm298]

Dad and I used to go to four or five races in the southeast every year. Our Bristol seats were in turn four, above the tunnel. Great seats for the fall race; they're in the shade most of the day so they don't get hot.

We had to quit in his late 70s, after he broke his leg. After that mostly healed, he insisted on going to one more Southern 500 since we already had tickets. As is typical with race fans, people practically fell over themselves helping him up and down the steps.

Good luck, man!

They definitely do help there. I’ve had quite a few people come to help me there before also, though that at the time was more because it was a rain delay and thunderstorm and I had a few beers and tried to sit on the ground. Apparently not a good idea when trying to get back up.

I think that was the year Harvick won on Monday after the delay and we had to go back home Sunday.

The issue now is mainly getting from the car to the track these days.

 

[hmmm298]

Also our seats were around there also (and the Budweiser suite above) so if you were there around then we might have been sitting beside you.

 

[ToyYoda]

To add to this and some context. You guys likely do not know this, as I normally do not share this or talk much about it at all. I’m not doing so in any way shape or form looking for sympathy etc, but because over the years I feel like I’ve gotten to know you guys over the years here as much as you can on an Internet forum. It seems we come from all walks of life here, and because most of you are true race fans I think you will probably understand this.

I used to go to Bristol almost yearly as mentioned. It stopped because I slowly began to be able to walk less and less. It’s due to an autoimmune disease affecting the spine. I’m barely able to walk 10 yards and should be in a wheelchair. Again I normally don’t talk about that. At all, but Bristol is honestly a very emotional weekend for me now. Bristol is my happy place, and I’ll never get to experience it again.
Also I mentioned I normally was in turn 4 but I have been in then 2 also in almost the exact spot that picture was taken.
So the point is thank you for sharing this picture.
@ToyYoda

You’re welcome, so sorry to hear you’re having to deal with that.