NASCAR 4 March 12 Phoenix

Boarded this bus at 4:30 AM.  After 3 stops to pick up others in the Yuma area,  all 56 seats were full.   This was our breakfast stop in Gila Bend.  The sun had just come up.

We were very early, but found our seats first.   It was a pleasant 70 degrees when we arrived at 9 AM.  Pat is checking out her sun shade.

Tower at the Phoenix International Raceway

So many beautiful haulers!

Last years winning pitcrew from the annual competition .  They were singing pictures and t-shirts

The track is a mile around, and about 3/4 of the circumference was 3 deep in vendors of all kinds.  This is the first time I've seen hard liqueur served at a track.  There were MANY of these little drink stands.  $9 a shot!  Glad we're not drinkers!

I asked this lady if I could take a picture of her making a kabab of strawberries dipped in 3 kinds of chocolate, and she said no.  So I snapped this one of the whole booth :-)

Fry  Bread Incorporated

Another hauler

Announcer's booth, statistisc, news, and some box seats

The portable stage for pre-race activities and Driver intros.  They hook a truck on to it and move it off the track before the cars roll.

The white line people are signing is the start/finish line.  Note the camera set up for "photo finishes"

Looking at turn 1 from our seats.  We never could see any part of this during the race, people were standing up most of the time and totally blocked the view, even when we were standing.

4 Sky divers landed in the infield before the race.  Beautiful Arizona Flags were flying!

F-16's from Luke AFB did a spectacular "Fly Over"

Fireworks going off during the Star Spangled banner.  For me, this was the best part of the whole day.

We had a good view of turn 4 and Rattle Snake Hill.

Tension builds as they get lined up for the start

It was officially 86 degrees in the shade, but we were in direct sun all afternoon

The pacecar, a Persuit vehicle from the AZ Highway Patrol, pulls onto Pit road and the Green Flag is ready to wave. Rolling Thunder!!

This is the  line to turn in my rented scanner/video device.  A mile round trip from out seats to get here then back to the bus.  We're glad we went, but  will probably be the last time.  Much more pleasant to watch the races on TV with all the comforts of home.  And with instant replays and good commentators.

March 5, 2012. 90 degrees in Yuma today, starting to feel like Spring. This is Redd's fence, he's been doing a LOT of landscaping around the old Apache Hotel.