It’s so weird to watch the movie that was created back in 2003/2004 and see drivers that are rarely heard from now or just to see them in different cars or sponsors, to see how much the cars and safety truly has changed, or remembering certain wrecks they show and flashing back to several that were not shown. They talk about the shops and how much more open to fans they are. In relation to my experiences, I’ve been to the DEI, JGR, and Labonte Racing shops. The first and last I’ve only been to once, but JGR, we practically lived there for a week and the people working there basically knew us. I still remember how it was laid out and I walk the halls in my mind from time to time. I remember thinking it was weird how all of Bobby’s merchandise was on sale and then to find out in the end he was leaving. Alright, I think I’ve gone off track a little, back to the movie...
They show scenes of the teams packing up, going to the tracks, unpacking, and pit stops. When I saw the pit stop, from behind the wall, I said to absolutely no one, it is exactly like that and I know that feeling. I know at one point they say you’re hooked once you go to a race for the first time. That is so true and I think they’re just talking about being hooked on the sport, but to me it’s about being hooked on going. It’s addicting, it really is. The sights, the sounds, the people, the smells all infect your very being until all you are and all you believe in is racing. It becomes a part of your blood and it will never leave. The more you go, the less you ever want to leave.
This documentary/movie whatever you want to call it really reawakened my racing blood. For a little bit this year, it’s been nothing but bad luck and annoying fans, so much that the racing has become less fun. The only times that I was able to put that all aside was to go to the track, but it was really bad this year. I’m not sure what really happened, but it became very addicting, much more than usual. Usually I can handle once a year, but I couldn’t this year and I don’t know why. I still cannot tell you for sure, but perhaps it’s because now, no matter how many times I go to a race it will never compare to Chicagoland 2011. My life and my view of NASCAR were forever changed.
This movie helped me to see past all the faults and changes they have made to remind me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place. As you can tell I went off track a little to expand on what went through my head while watching this. I haven’t had that much fun talking to the tv in I don’t even know how long. I don’t yell at the tv on race day or jump up and down or anything during the race. I miss the days I did. I miss the days at the track where no one sat down during the race except during cautions, but nowadays it’s the other way around. What has happened to this fan base? I miss the days where fans would argue with their ‘neighbors’ at the race about why their driver is better than the “neighbor’s,” but now all we do is argue among our own driver’s fans. No one can have an opinion anymore. Oh and the worst point that drives me crazy is when people accuse another fan’s opinion or thought based on their age...assuming that they are “young” and that is hormonal, attitudinal or what, I do not know, but I hate when people say something like well I can tell how old you are... Honestly I know a lot of younger fans that are a lot more respectful and wiser than some of the older fans.
Anyway, my real point was that if you are doubting your faith in this sport, your faith as a fan, about your faith in your driver/team, et cetera...watch this movie. I apologize for going on and on, but it’s what I do when I really get going on something I’m passionate about and I am glad I still am about this. Would be cool to make another version of this movie and show the differences, I think.