Last Sunday I went to the Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) to watch the Subway Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. You can read Part One here.
This is the pit station for #17, Matt Kenseth.
This is Head Crew Chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt's car.
I caught this NASCAR official goofing around for the camera - flexing his muscles!
Jeff Gordon's car.
Mark Martin's car.
It's a beautiful setting at the raceway, with mountains lining one half of the track.
As the crowd sang the Star Spangled Banner, parasailers soared onto the track, with patriotic chutes.
"And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air"
Four fighter jets flew over from nearby Luke AFB. It really was quite exciting!
The bleachers were wall to wall people!
A person could rent headphones like these and tune in to the announcer who was calling the race.
Here they come!
A short video that I managed to take. Don't turn down the volume to experience (somewhat) how LOUD it is at the race!
I believe that people pay to sit on the hill to watch the race. Not sure how MUCH the tickets are, though!
The next 10 photos are what I call, "An Anatomy of a Crash". Unbelievably, the driver was able to get his car under control, and drive off. He completed another lap before exiting!
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Number 11, Denny Hamlin, the WINNER!!
I guess this is common. The winner chooses to do some "hot-dogging" for the crowd. Denny burns his tires across the racetrack.
Finally, he turns the car around and drives back through the smoke.
All in all, I had a great time. It was very hot, very loud (even with ear plugs), but exciting. My son had a GREAT time!
wow absolutely great shots pat...felt like i was right there....
ReplyDeleteMy husband love nascar and goes to the race here in NH most years. He went last year and I know he's going this year too. I hope you wore your ear plugs! When my husband forgets his he says his ears ring for 3 days!
ReplyDeleteYou got some great action shots Pat. I remember that crash. Glad to hear you had a good time. Hubby and I would like to go to one of the NASCAR races in CA this year.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a huge NASCAR fan and so am I because I don't have a choice. ha-ha Seriously though, we are Matt Kenseth fans because he's a Wisconsin native and we watched him race locally in his early years.
ReplyDeleteI've pick Kyle Busch to win in Las Vegas today.
really nice photos, I don't care much for Nascar on TV but it would be nice to see a race in person.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!! We used to go to MIS every year. I looked for Biff in your pictures. I'm a RoushFenway fan, especially Greg Biffle...who is #1 in points!! I was a longtime fan of Dale Sr. #3...still miss him. Thanks for sharing!!
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