First time stock car race spectator, paradigm shifting experience: No gambling! haha

Stock Car Race, Easley, SC Greenville Pickens Speedway Rain Storm

A friend recently visited us in Western North Carolina.  He was only in town for a few days, he’s a NASCAR ‘short track’ fan, and… there happens to be a short track nearby.  We went to Greenville Pickens Speedway in Easley, SC.  It’s about an hour from our place, and there were thunderstorms passing through all day.  On the way, we considered turning back due to the downpour.  But we drove on.

Upon arriving, it seemed like a small crowd, undoubtedly due to imminent lightning and thunderstorms on the not-so-distant horizon.  We got to see a few of the races.  I believe they went all evening, but we left at the first sign of rain.  (I’m scared of being struck bylighting, ever since my hair stood up from lightning striking so close while running across a field in summer camp as a kid. Did you know lightning can strike dozens of miles away from a storm?)  They had several classes racing: 4 cylinder FWD (First lap video), Pure Stock, a few Renegade, Super Stock and Late Model Stock.

I learned a few very basics of stock car racing, and got to see a few yellow flags.  Yellow flag means there has been a wreck and all other cars are limited to a speed limit and restricted from passing one another while everything is cleaned up.  While I didn’t witness any spectacular wrecks, it was nonetheless exciting to see.  It peaked my interest so much, we came home and watched tail end of Daytona NASCAR.

Greenville Pickens Speedway, Easley, SCSo what was the paradigm shift? When I lived in Phoenix, I was familiar with Greyhound dog racing.  Much like horse racing, we were able to wager on results – right there at the track.  I’m not sure why, perhaps because I’d never been to any other type of race, other than a demolition derby at a county fair, but I thought all races, including NASCAR, Indy, Formula, etc., operated in the same manner.  I thought it was an odds game, I thought there were betting booths, and I thought I’d find them near this red and white building.  Of course those familiar with racing know this isn’t true. I didn’t find any bet windows. But I was shocked to find out there wasn’t even any regular ‘off the books’ wagering going on, you know, under the bleachers or something.  It’s a purely spectator sport – no wagering, betting, odds, or other such statistics were involved, and certainly no profit for fans – or it seems, many of the participants.  But it sure was fun to watch.

What a fun night.  I highly recommend checking out stock car racing if you’ve never been. I’ll be going back, and maybe someday, I’ll get to be a race car driver, even if it is only a rice burner.  If you’re curious and looking for NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and other 6/17/2017 Race Results.

Greenville Pickens Speedway, 3800 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley, SC, 29640. Tel. 864-295-5764 www.greenvillepickens.com Facebook

Phil

Grown up in Cleveland, Ohio, USA., previously lived in Phoenix, Arizona and Tampa, Florida areas, and recently co-located to Asheville, North Carolina area. Trained as an Army MP, but bit of a renegade career wise. Phil has owned successful businesses in insurance, private investigations, surety bail bond industries, and has experience in computer network engineering, hospitality advertising, asset recovery and repossession, and even a few years traveling most of the lower 48 states, Ontario and Northern Mexico as a commercial over the road truck driver. Career long entrepreneur, property investor and rental manager. Phil loves sharing his experiences of great food, travel, experiences and products.