Losing this thread was painful.
Post your pics and race experiences here.
Post your pics and race experiences here.
Race pics and experiences
- Thread starter TexasRaceLady
- Start date
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Agreed. There was some great stuff in there.
I still have to pull off some of my Martinsville pics from a few weeks ago.
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Yes it is. Maybe most people will put it back up. I'll try to re-post some of my stuff if I can remember it all.
AdoubleU24
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Ouch...I had a lot of stuff in there as well.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Of these three is attending their first NASCAR race. Can you guess which one? Take a kid to a race and this is what you see. Heck, take an adult for the first time and this is what you'll see.
This pic is from Dover's June 2003 race. The bookends are mine. The one in the center is their cousin attending his first NASCAR race. That smile probably lasted a week. The one on the right saw his driver, Ryan Newman, win the pole and the race that weekend. The one in the center saw his driver, Jeff Gordon, come in 2nd that weekend. My daughter saw her driver come in 3rd and got his autograph after a long wait in line at the souvenir haulers.
Just one of many great weekends at a race that I'll always remember.
This pic is from Dover's June 2003 race. The bookends are mine. The one in the center is their cousin attending his first NASCAR race. That smile probably lasted a week. The one on the right saw his driver, Ryan Newman, win the pole and the race that weekend. The one in the center saw his driver, Jeff Gordon, come in 2nd that weekend. My daughter saw her driver come in 3rd and got his autograph after a long wait in line at the souvenir haulers.
Just one of many great weekends at a race that I'll always remember.
AdoubleU24
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Awesome! What ages? I began attending races with my dad when I was 8, 21 years later I got to see my guy win so that's awesome he got to witness that so early on. And that's pretty cool they all happened to go 1, 2, 3.
Also, heck of a shirt choice by that big guy in the middle
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
In that pic my son would have been 8 years old and my daughter just over 5 years old. I think that the spring Bristol race would have been her first that year. His had been a few years earlier. I'm pretty sure that their cousin was 7 at the time. These days my son is getting ready to start his 3rd year of college and my daughter will be starting her 1st year of college this fall.Awesome! What ages? I began attending races with my dad when I was 8, 21 years later I got to see my guy win so that's awesome he got to witness that so early on. And that's pretty cool they all happened to go 1, 2, 3.
Also, heck of a shirt choice by that big guy in the middle
Bob
Assistant Car Chief of Brake Fluid Dynamics
That's a helluva trifecta right there. That boy in the middle has a grin like Senior.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Putting up some pics from our spring Martinsville trip.
Not too bad of a parking spot. Great place to tailgate from leading up to the race. Took another couple with us this spring so they were more interested in heading over to the Fan Zone.
Looking west out towards the main entrance. Still pretty early but a lot of people arriving.
I don't remember what they call that game but that one is big. Man Size Big.
First stop down at the bottom of that hill. Drank a lot of coffee that morning.
Port-O-John Alley. What a relief!
Not too bad of a parking spot. Great place to tailgate from leading up to the race. Took another couple with us this spring so they were more interested in heading over to the Fan Zone.
Looking west out towards the main entrance. Still pretty early but a lot of people arriving.
I don't remember what they call that game but that one is big. Man Size Big.
First stop down at the bottom of that hill. Drank a lot of coffee that morning.
Port-O-John Alley. What a relief!
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Found my next car in the Fan Zone - Chevrolet Exibit
On second thought.....
Jammie Mac sharing his expertise on getting around Martinsville.
Wait, what's that over there. Why it's the WalMart of NASCAR souvenirs.....
Let's head that way.
On second thought.....Jammie Mac sharing his expertise on getting around Martinsville.
Wait, what's that over there. Why it's the WalMart of NASCAR souvenirs.....
Let's head that way.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Souvenir shopping in hell. I heard the word ridiculous uttered many times over as I rubbed elbows, backsides and other body parts in the small isles.
Believe me, these pics do not do the crowded spaces justice.
I wish that I had taken pics of some of the merchandise that had fallen onto the asphalt allowing for hordes of people to casually use it as throw rugs. But, I was a little too busy just trying to stay out of peoples way.
Finally broke free of the Jr. area. On to the checkout line to wait again.
Finally getting close to one of the many checkout registers. They really need to put those little signs up like at the amusement park..... From this point your wait should be no longer than 20 minutes.....
No, it's not really that bad. It's just that you have to fight the masses in the tents, waiting your turn to see merchandise only to have to wait again to get the heck outta there. Some people like that kind of thing. Some people like Black Friday too.
Wait..... Someone's holding a flag up. My turn to check out.
Wow, got through there. Now it's time to be patted down to make sure I'm not a thief.
Believe me, these pics do not do the crowded spaces justice.
I wish that I had taken pics of some of the merchandise that had fallen onto the asphalt allowing for hordes of people to casually use it as throw rugs. But, I was a little too busy just trying to stay out of peoples way.
Finally broke free of the Jr. area. On to the checkout line to wait again.
Finally getting close to one of the many checkout registers. They really need to put those little signs up like at the amusement park..... From this point your wait should be no longer than 20 minutes.....
No, it's not really that bad. It's just that you have to fight the masses in the tents, waiting your turn to see merchandise only to have to wait again to get the heck outta there. Some people like that kind of thing. Some people like Black Friday too.
Wait..... Someone's holding a flag up. My turn to check out.
Wow, got through there. Now it's time to be patted down to make sure I'm not a thief.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Let's check out the cutaway car of the Bif.....
Unintended selfie!
Neat to see this kind of stuff.
A lot goes into these things.
Biff, seriously, get with the program..... D I G I T A L D A S H. What don't you understand?
Unintended selfie!
Neat to see this kind of stuff.
A lot goes into these things.
Biff, seriously, get with the program..... D I G I T A L D A S H. What don't you understand?
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
They still have just a taste of the shopping of old. This, I miss.
They turned the old shopping are into reserved parking.
They turned the old shopping are into reserved parking.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Let's head to the track. Getting close to driver intros.....
The walk from just outside the front straight heading over towards turn #1. Down hill, up hill, down hill, up hill and finally a climb to our seats. It's a wonder that they were able to make this a flat track. It's the only flat area in Virginia best I can tell. Again, pics do not do this justice.
Through the gate and under the turn #1 terrace seats.
Let's see what'll I have? Two dogs loaded please! $4, I'm good with that.
Took a pic of the media contingent of haulers behind the turn #1-2 terrace on my way up. The cooler is heavy. I had to take a break. Thankfully it is not nearly as heavy on the way back out. Anyhow, a lot of $'s sitting right there.
People heading in from the south parking area. And, no, those aren't all empty spots. Some of those slopes a rope harness and repelling system would be needed to traverse. Again, pics do not do some things justice.
That's the heliport over there in the background. Drivers come and go from there. Me too when that lottery retirement plan kicks in.
The walk from just outside the front straight heading over towards turn #1. Down hill, up hill, down hill, up hill and finally a climb to our seats. It's a wonder that they were able to make this a flat track. It's the only flat area in Virginia best I can tell. Again, pics do not do this justice.
Through the gate and under the turn #1 terrace seats.
Let's see what'll I have? Two dogs loaded please! $4, I'm good with that.
Took a pic of the media contingent of haulers behind the turn #1-2 terrace on my way up. The cooler is heavy. I had to take a break. Thankfully it is not nearly as heavy on the way back out. Anyhow, a lot of $'s sitting right there.
People heading in from the south parking area. And, no, those aren't all empty spots. Some of those slopes a rope harness and repelling system would be needed to traverse. Again, pics do not do some things justice.
That's the heliport over there in the background. Drivers come and go from there. Me too when that lottery retirement plan kicks in.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
My first view of he track on race day as I head out from behind the terrace seats.....
What a beautiful sight it is. The absolute best track in NASCAR. Lot's of memories of this place.....
Turning left to head over to my seat location. Go as far as you can and take a left. Go up a few steps to get to the final destination for my cooler. Finally. Damn that thing gets heavy.
That black stuff that we walk on there is really spongy rubber of some sort. I'm guessing to cut down on the noise for the people in the suites below us. In any case, it feels somewhat weird to walk on.
The view from my seat location. I've sat all around this venue and finally found the right seat. Great view of the entire track in front of me along with the race on and off of pit road. I think I left that pic bi so that you can get a better idea of our view. Just click it.
There are those pesky pit cameras. The ones that replaced the many officials on pit road. This small bank of them cover some of the pit action from our side of pit road. I wonder what would happen if I place some tape on those things? Hmm
Nope, no pics of race cars and the like. Just trying to give some of the experience from in and around the track.
I'll pull out some of last years trip down to the garage area another day so some can see how the infield is there.
If you haven't been to Martinsville, do yourself a favor and spend the $'s to go. It's a great track with still a little of old school feel to it. You won't be sorry.
What a beautiful sight it is. The absolute best track in NASCAR. Lot's of memories of this place.....
Turning left to head over to my seat location. Go as far as you can and take a left. Go up a few steps to get to the final destination for my cooler. Finally. Damn that thing gets heavy.
That black stuff that we walk on there is really spongy rubber of some sort. I'm guessing to cut down on the noise for the people in the suites below us. In any case, it feels somewhat weird to walk on.
The view from my seat location. I've sat all around this venue and finally found the right seat. Great view of the entire track in front of me along with the race on and off of pit road. I think I left that pic bi so that you can get a better idea of our view. Just click it.
There are those pesky pit cameras. The ones that replaced the many officials on pit road. This small bank of them cover some of the pit action from our side of pit road. I wonder what would happen if I place some tape on those things? Hmm
Nope, no pics of race cars and the like. Just trying to give some of the experience from in and around the track.
I'll pull out some of last years trip down to the garage area another day so some can see how the infield is there.
If you haven't been to Martinsville, do yourself a favor and spend the $'s to go. It's a great track with still a little of old school feel to it. You won't be sorry.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Glad you like. Most people probably want to see the cars but we all see those each and every week. Just wanted to give some behind the scenes experience.
The pics really want me to take a trip to a race at Martinsville.
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
Well, when you do decide to go, you know where to find me. I'll be sitting right where I showed ya. Just give me a little heads up so I carry in a heavier cooler.
I love parking lot pics. They give everyone a feel for what the experience at that track is like. 2 thumbs up.
Well, when you do decide to go, you know where to find me. I'll be sitting right where I showed ya. Just give me a little heads up so I carry in a heavier cooler.
You have given me a perfect picture of what it is like to be at Martinsville. Love it!
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
AdoubleU24
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The place is magical, no doubt about it.
DanicaFreak
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precious pics thanks for sharing
Matthew2470
It's not that serious
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Pic # 1 is the best.
The white reflective Oakleys ... that's the look right there.
Wonder pictures. Great clarity.
Great pics, Matthew.
Whizzer
Gig'em
Glad to see the pictures are back. Sad we lost so many of the others. Keep them coming. The shots of Martinsville reminded me of a trip there in 1988 when I drove my new Dakota and parked across from where DPK parked. I found many pictures of the Winston Cup and Busch Series while going through my things in preparation of relocating. Problem is, I left my scanner in Florida so cannot post them. At the time, I had a garage pass and took numerous photos. Will try to post them once we sell our home in NC and relocate.
da33a7
UK Race Fan
Fantastic pics - can see why you love the place so much!
dpkimmel2001
Team Owner
That I do. No other track on the schedule produces the quality of racing that is seen @ Martinsville on a consistent basis. If you haven't been there and it's within your means, buy a ticket. You'll walk out of that place with a smile on your face every time.
da33a7
UK Race Fan
Great stuff. Well I am travelling over next year for a couple races - after the schedule was released I now know that it will be for Autoclub and Martinsville (bar any hickups) so seeing these photos makes me smile a lot.