A
Aggiewes
Guest
Sorry for the late report, but I am just getting back in the swing after an AWESOME weekend in Bristol.
I attended my first race at Bristol with my wife and 2 daughters. We had a blast!
First, thanks to all of you who helped with traffic info. We stayed in Blowing Rock, NC and had a wonderful time touring the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Caverns and Linville Falls on Sat. Canyon is a great restaurant in Blowing Rock.
As far as traffic, we came in on 421 from Boone, NC and had no problems getting to Bristol. We were on the HWY 30 minutes after we got to our car after the race and I would call that success (important because we drove to Charlotte that night)! Thanks again!
Things great about the Bristol experience (my only previous races have been at Texas).
1. Short track racing
2. Awesome view of the entire track. No need for Binoculars
3. Great crowd. Not afraid to cheer/boo. You can also hear the entire crowd.
4. Jr's nation was in force (not a Jr fan here, but awesome to see). Personally, I would not die my hair red and shave a #8 into the back of my head.... To each his own.
5. View of pits. We were on the backstretch and had several important cars right in front of us (McMurray, Gordon, Johnson, Marlin, etc.)
6. Bristol hospitality can't be beat
7. Awesome Sharpie durable marker giveaway in the parking lot
8. Walkway where we could see the drivers after the race on the way to the driver's paddock (Johnson, Jr, Jarrett, Stewart, Petty, Sauter, Mayfield, etc..)
9. Traffic was not horrible
10. And most important - A wonderful weekend with my wife and girls (ages 11 & 9) touring a part of the country we have never seen before (Eastern TN & Western NC)
Things I missed at Bristol
1. Sensation of speed you get at Texas on those first few laps of the race or after caution before the field strings out
2. NASCAR's decision to run so many laps under yellow to clean the track - TWICE! Can I say 1 word... BORING - Race to the finish. Cleaning the track is for Hockey games with the Zamboni
3. Smoking all around us. Smokers - don't take this personally. I would just love a no smoking section to reserve tickets.
You guys who are going to Texas this weekend have a great time. My pocketbook won't do this 2 weekends in a row. If you need some tips on backroads to get there, post up.
Aggiewes
I attended my first race at Bristol with my wife and 2 daughters. We had a blast!
First, thanks to all of you who helped with traffic info. We stayed in Blowing Rock, NC and had a wonderful time touring the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Caverns and Linville Falls on Sat. Canyon is a great restaurant in Blowing Rock.
As far as traffic, we came in on 421 from Boone, NC and had no problems getting to Bristol. We were on the HWY 30 minutes after we got to our car after the race and I would call that success (important because we drove to Charlotte that night)! Thanks again!
Things great about the Bristol experience (my only previous races have been at Texas).
1. Short track racing
2. Awesome view of the entire track. No need for Binoculars
3. Great crowd. Not afraid to cheer/boo. You can also hear the entire crowd.
4. Jr's nation was in force (not a Jr fan here, but awesome to see). Personally, I would not die my hair red and shave a #8 into the back of my head.... To each his own.
5. View of pits. We were on the backstretch and had several important cars right in front of us (McMurray, Gordon, Johnson, Marlin, etc.)
6. Bristol hospitality can't be beat
7. Awesome Sharpie durable marker giveaway in the parking lot
8. Walkway where we could see the drivers after the race on the way to the driver's paddock (Johnson, Jr, Jarrett, Stewart, Petty, Sauter, Mayfield, etc..)
9. Traffic was not horrible
10. And most important - A wonderful weekend with my wife and girls (ages 11 & 9) touring a part of the country we have never seen before (Eastern TN & Western NC)
Things I missed at Bristol
1. Sensation of speed you get at Texas on those first few laps of the race or after caution before the field strings out
2. NASCAR's decision to run so many laps under yellow to clean the track - TWICE! Can I say 1 word... BORING - Race to the finish. Cleaning the track is for Hockey games with the Zamboni
3. Smoking all around us. Smokers - don't take this personally. I would just love a no smoking section to reserve tickets.
You guys who are going to Texas this weekend have a great time. My pocketbook won't do this 2 weekends in a row. If you need some tips on backroads to get there, post up.
Aggiewes