The NASCAR Novelty – Road Racing

I wouldn’t call myself a big NASCAR fan. I enjoy it. It’s racing, so of course I enjoy it. I have always appreciated the strategy of it, and how close the racing is, but the roundy-round thing has just never been my go-to when it comes to what’s on the top of my viewing schedule on any given Sunday. Now, put these 4000lb. bad boys on a road course and I’m all over it. Seeing them here at Race Sonoma – my first time ever seeing a NASCAR race – was probably the biggest treat I could have asked for. Incredibly close racing and way faster and more agile than I ever imagined a car this size could be. Truly some of the most exciting racing I’ve ever witnessed.

It’s no secret why fans are drawn to NASCAR in the first place. The organization puts on a great show, and the fans have reasonably good access to their favorite drivers and cars. It’s a great big nearly week long party at every stop on the schedule. And who doesn’t love a party?

Here are some of my favorite shots from NASCAR at Race Sonoma:

Junior.

Supreme leader of the Said Head Nation.

Six Pack

The couple that rubs fenders together…

Living Legend

The Jeff

Junior is ready

Menard over the rumble strips

Gilliland using the whole track and a bit more

Little too hot

Reed Sorenson getting way up

Feeling lonely in turn 4

Loves to jump them curbs

Kevin Harvick going over the big curb at Turn 7a

Austin Dillon getting some air over the small curb in turn 8

Right over crest…wait…

Big air for Kyle Larson in turn 3a

The world is a blur when you’re as fast as the six time world champion

Kyle Busch comes over the crest at 3a with beautiful blue sky behind him.

Teammates playing follow the leader

Jimmie Johnson leads the pack through turn 8

Much quickness and speed. Much talent.

If you’ve never been to a NASCAR race, in a venue of any type, make sure you get yourself out to one soon. It’s a great show and some really great racing.

Ken Stouffer

I've been around some form of racing since I was a kid. First hanging around Ascot in Southern California. Then, after moving to Texas as a teen, I got hooked on drag racing and did that for almost fifteen years. In between I have raced Dirt bikes and Quads. 2011 Marked my 8th and final year racing up Pikes Peak: Five in the Pro Quad division and three in Time Attack. Future racing plans are in the works, but until then I'm at the track shooting for My Life at Speed as much as I possibly can.