New Hampshire Motor Speedway - July 17, 2023

In retrospect, I find myself questioning the decision I made to accompany a friend to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. As someone who has never had an interest in NASCAR, it was a curious choice against my better judgment. They call the raceway "The Magic Mile," but I failed to see the magic in it.

The journey to the speedway was a slow one, with traffic coming to a crawl as we approached Concord, NH. The ripple effects of the race were evident even before reaching the entrance. Signs offering parking for $20 lined the highway, and people carrying coolers and various items were walking alongside it. Pick-up trucks seemed to dominate the scene, making my friend's sedan stand out. Parking closer to the track came at a steeper price of $40. The sheer number of people scrambling to get to the entrance was overwhelming.

The scorching heat added to the discomfort of the day, with no relief in sight. The stadium itself was massive, capable of accommodating up to 76,000 people. However, the aluminum seats provided little comfort, and shade was a luxury found only beneath the stadium where the concession stands were located. Speaking of concessions, the food options were far from healthy, consisting of fried dough, pizza, chicken wings, pulled pork, and hamburgers. The prices were exorbitant, as one would expect at any sporting event.

Finding our seats in section 44, row 14, right at the finish line, the anticipation grew as the drivers prepared to start. The deafening roar of their engines caught me off guard, forcing me to cover my ears immediately. The noise was not just loud; it was truly overwhelming. Sitting in 95-degree weather on uncomfortable aluminum seats, I couldn't help but feel out of place. Thankfully, a kind woman offered me some earplugs, providing some much-needed relief.

As I glanced around the track, I observed the pit crews, ambulances, and the massive trucks carrying the necessary equipment. The sheer logistics, planning, and pre-race work involved in such an event were staggering. Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked my friend how many laps were involved. To my surprise, he replied, "300!" The thought of enduring these conditions for approximately 3.5 hours seemed daunting.

When I wasn't engrossed in the race itself, I found myself people-watching. The crowd was a diverse mix of individuals, both men and women, adorned in NASCAR clothing and covered in tattoos. Despite my observations, I still remained ignorant of what all the fuss was about.

In conclusion, my experience at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway left me even more disillusioned with NASCAR than before. The noise, the heat, and the discomfort overshadowed any potential enjoyment I might have derived from the event. Perhaps it's simply a matter of personal preference, but I still struggle to comprehend the allure of this sport. I must thank my friend to sharing his passion for the sport with me. The best part of the experience was witnessing him be so passionate and well informed about the sport.