When did you first know you were hooked on racing?

Question

As a kid my dad took me to dirt track races sometimes three times a weekend all around the western Pennsylvania area. I liked it, the roar of the engines and the beating and the banging. The usual fight in the pits after the main. But as I grew older I lost interest in it as other things were taking shape in my life. The Army, college, and a wife. Then in the early 80's I was watching a race on TV and they had a in car camera right over Cale Yarborough's right shoulder. You could see the gauges, part of the wheel, and the track in front of him. The mike picked up the engine and the whining of the gears. The commontators could talk to him under caution! I don't remember the exact year, but it was Datona and he won! That was great! and I've been hooked every since! I'm just wondering if any of you remember when you got the Nascar bug and what it was that triggered it?

Some real race fans are answering this question! I enjoy everyone of your stories because I can understand how you feel!
A few morons did answer also!
I'll leave this up for awhile because I think all true racefans should see it!

Please use the thumbs! There are so many go answers that I will haft to use them to help me pick a best one!
Thanks!

Snake your right about that Miller decal!
It was the Hardee's #28 car. I think he won The 500 in both 83 and 84, so I'm not sure of the year. But I do think it was the fist time I ever saw an in car camera! I'd love to get a copy of that race for my collection!

Answer 1

As soon as I went to a local stockcar race... I thought this is Exciting! Let's see what Nascar is all about!

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! And FUN , FUN, FUN!!!!!!

Answer 2

It took one night @ a local dirt track here in Texarkana called Stateline Speedway. Nothing can compare to the rush you get watching those guys go for broke on the dirt tracks. What I loved about that ol' track (It's now been tore down for about 10 years and they put an apt. complex and golf course over it). was the drive to the track.. as you came into the entrance it was woods on both sides as high as you could see. But it was about a mile dirt road leadin' up to the track, and the time was right every time we got there we'd be ridin' into the sunset and then we'd top a hill where you'd see the sun settin' and the track. It was f-in' beautiful.

NOTE - This track is also where I won my first bicycle race = ) lol...

Answer 3

My Dad did the same thing . But in 1969 when we went to the Daytona 500 I was hooked (at 5 years old) and I have probably been to 90 races since. Nascar Rules !!!!

Answer 4

I never got to go to the local races as a kid, but once I was over sixteen I went to as many as I could. I remember watching races on TV, the Indianapolis 500 in particular, for as long as I can remember there being television.
I followed every kind of auto racing I could while I was growing up, and what magazines and books on the subjects I didn't have at home, I read at the library. By the time I was in the fourth grade, I could talk about Richard Petty, LeeRoy Yarbrough, Fred Lorenzen, and Dave Pearson as if I was following every race. In the late sixties and early seventies, "Car and Track," the program now featured on "Back in the Day," and the highlight reels on Wide World of Sports and other sports programs, fueled my passion.
The first Cup race I attended was at Dover, in 1979, while I was still in the Air Force, and though I was already hooked, that first experience was something I will always remember in my life. While Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) was open I went to every Busch Series race there from 1998 to 2005.
I also nearly quit following NASCAR after Dale died, but a good friend got me back into it. I think I will always have racing in my blood, and perhaps, because my passion goes so far back, I missed my calling and should be a driver myself.

Answer 5

I do remember. It was just about 18 years ago, I was fresh out of school & just moved into my very 1st apartment all on my own such an exciting time. Well I didn't have cable hooked up yet. So Sunday afternoons here in MI in Feb or could have been March it's pretty cold & wintery so outdoor activities are limited. Needless to say I was indoors & had the choice of watching golf, bowling or NASCAR. I choose NASCAR. 1st time I had EVER sat down to watch a race. I was absoutley amazed. Dale Earnhardt was the most awesome driver I had seen I was hooked & in love with the Man & the sport. That was just on TV imagine the 1st time I saw & heard those most awesome machines in person. I do remember, as retarted as it sounds I was pretty teary eyed when they went green for the 1st time at my 1st race......that sound.....I felt it in my heart & soul. I was hooked for life.

The thundering roar of those awesome cars is still my favorite sound in the world.

Answer 6

My Dad and Uncle were officals and pit crew members and mechanics when I was born, I think I had Nascar fever when I was in the womb..My dad and Uncle were always working on the cars in the garage at home during the week and taking them to the local dirt tracks back in the Carolinas and Virgina. My mom would not let me go to a race until I was 10, well I've been totally hooked ever since.. The only time I have not been around Nascar was 73-79 when I was in Europe, I followed F1 then, but my heart was with Nascar, and I will always love Nascar... It just runs in my blood and I love it..

Answer 7

In 2003 I went to the Pepsi 400 at Daytona I sat on the first row and the first time those cars flew past me at 195mph I was in love. It was so awesome hearing the roar of 43 motors and the wind when they came by. My fav race was the 2004 Daytona500 when junior won it I was sitting just past start finish line it was great. Anyways after the first race ive been hooked.

Answer 8

I too am from Daytona and year after year we would make the pilgrimage to the race track. The infield was always the best where all the fun was. We would skip school sometimes and watch the time trials. We would sneak into the infield by stuffing as many people in the trunk as possible. I have really fond memories of Nascar it was part of my youth and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Answer 9

i got hooked last year, and it's because i needed a new video game.
i was bored with the ones i already had. i wanted a new video game, and it had to have cars that crashed a lot. Nascar 2005 Chase For the Cup was the game i chose. i got home with it and i played it. it was really fun.
it was when i chose the Martinsville track to race on. all i did was spin one car around, and ended up causing a pile-up when i came back around.
the next day i started to watch a Nascar race and i was hooked.

i just like to say, thanks Nascar, thanks Martinsville for giving me a new sport to love.

this past June, i went to my first race at the Milwaukee Mile. i had so much fun, i plan on going again this coming summer. (this time i'll remember to bring 'A LOT' of sunblock, as i paid dearly for doing so).

everyone has there stories to tell, well this is my story, and i'm sticking to it.

Go Tony Stewart #20 2008

Answer 10

Remember seeing a few races back in the 70's NASCAR & Indy (the ones that were broadcast) as a kid, but became a NASCAR fan full time in the early 80's. I used to race R/C cars and had Kyle Petty's paint scheme "Mellow Yellow" and that was cool as hell. I almost gave it up when Earnhardt died, but then came Jr. "racefanvote.com"

Answer 11

as long as you acquire this started i'm going to throw this in. there's a international of distinction between some loopy m0therfcuker w/ an attack weapon killing 20 5 twelve months previous little ones and a few gangbanging ni99er taking photos up yet another ineffective ni99er. ok, communicate.