NASCAR 2008 Racing Season is Here

It has been a while, but now is the time to take the motor home out of storage and head to Daytona. If you don't have a reserved parking space, then good luck. It is great to hear the engines come to life and rattle the windows. That is one sure sign that NASCAR Racing 2008 is here for us hardcore race junkies.

Just walking around the campground in the infield of the Daytona Speedway is enough to get the blood flowing. There are everything from tents to million dollar motor homes. Everyone has a favorite driver and everyone is flying the team flags. Old glory is flying from every campsite. What is really amazing is there are no rich or poor folks here, only race fans. Outdoor games are going on every where. There are people from all over the country here and all waiting for the same thing. All the waiting will be over on February 14 when the starting flag drops on the first of the Twin 125's. That is the real start to the season.

Parked next to us is a old school bus that has been converted into a camper. The group in it are from Utah and as they told us, five days driving wasn't a problem. They just wanted to be part of the Daytona 500. You have to buy your tickets months if not a year in advance to be part of this frenzy mob called race fans. There is nothing that any of us in this mob of people had rather be doing than sitting here in the infield. The food is cooked to perfection, the people are great and the beer is cold. Sure we could all stay home and watch it on the TV but that doesn't put you here in the middle of everything. Make this trip once and you will be here every year. This is about the only time that a bank president and a ditch digger will sit and enjoy a meal and not be any difference between them. They are just race fans.

A lot of the teams and drivers will come to the fence that separates the campground from the pits, just to say hi and sign autographs. This is the closest some will ever get to their hero. Ninety-five per cent of the drivers and teams know that these fans are what makes racing possible. Of course, there is the five per cent that feel that if it wasn't for them then there would be no racing. Maybe one day they will remember where their pay check really comes from. But what the heck, let them think what they want because everyone here just loves racing.

When the green flag drops on forty three screaming engines, there will be two-hundred thousand or more screaming fans on their feet. The crowds roar will drown out the roar of the cars. Will the driver you follow win or will he be taken out in the big wreck that happens every year. We all hope our driver wins but if he doesn't then there is always next week. Every one is here for the race. I guess that most are here to see forty three drivers do what we can't. The drivers put their life on the line and run almost two hundred miles an hour for us and we love them and racing. Until you have been to a NASCAR race whether short track or here at the Daytona 500. You will never enjoy the real thrill of a race. You have to be here.

I remember the first time I took Soap to a race. He almost went crazy because he had never seen this many people in his life. He spent almost the whole time under the bed. It took a few times before he calmed down. He is a good dog, ugly but still a good dog. Now he just takes it in stride.

Practice has started and the fans are filing in so we can start another season. If you ever get the chance to see a race live and camp out be sure to do it. You will meet people from all over the country. You will be welcome and don't be shy about talking to your neighbor. You just might be invited to a good meal and a lot of race talk. Friends made at the track will be a friend for ever. Time to go watch practice. But if you are ever camping in the infield at Daytona and see the world ugliest dog don't worry it will just be Soap.