Home to NASCAR Kentucky

Bootle’s are traveling west again.  This time we are headed to the Rockies.  We left New Jersey on Tuesday, June 24^th.  Our first stop was an overnight in Madison, Pennsylvania.  It was a small campground and it rained just before we pulled into our site.  It’s always fun setting up the water, electric and sewer connections in the rain.  Once we got set up (the rain stopped), we ventured out to find a place for dinner.  We found a Cracker Barrel about five miles away, ate dinner and went back to the campground.  We were both pretty tired, so we went to bed.

Wednesday, we were on the road early.  Continuing west on I70, our next destination; Kentucky Speedway for a weekend of NASCAR races.  Terry enjoys NASCAR so we perused the race schedule to find a venue that would fit our schedule.  Kentucky was perfect!  It was not too far off our original route west and the timing worked out for us.  We camped for four nights in Millionaire’s Row.  The site is just large enough for our 45’ motor home with the four slides extended.  We were also able to squeeze the car in with some help from our neighbors who were gracious enough to allow us to use part of their site for the car.  We usually camp with full hookups (water, 50 amp electric and sewer).  This site only had 50 amp electric hence the name Millionaire’s Row.  The other campgrounds at this race track are dry camping (no hookups at all).

Our site was within walking distance of our seats; about three quarters of a mile.  When we were too tired to walk, the track provided golf carts we could flag down for a ride.

We have friends who live about 25 miles from the track.  We contacted them before we left on our trip to let them know we would be in the area.  They were happy to know there was an opportunity for a visit.  Thursday we drove to Walton where we met our friends, Bob & Ruth Exler.  We spent time catching up on our adventures.  They showed us their lovely home and took us to their farm where they stable two horses.  We went back to their house and were treated to a delicious ham dinner.  Ruth is a wonderful cook.  Time flew by.  We had to leave to be in time for the truck race.  This race is shorter than the other two; 225 miles.  Kyle Busch won the race.  The picture is Kyle doing celebratory burnouts.

Friday, we walked to the track and enjoyed the Fan Zone.  This is a pass that gets the fan close to the action, but not too close.  We watched the Sprint Cup cars go through their inspection.  That is where NASCAR Officials actually measures each competing car.  They use metal templates to ensure each car is accurately measured.  See the photo of Dale Earnhardt’s car going through this procedure.

We attended the Nationwide race under very threaten skies.  The rain held off and the race ran its full 300 miles.  Kevin Harvick won this race.  We didn’t stick around to take photos of his burnout.

Saturday, after lunch, we went back to the Fan Zone where we got drenched by a down pour.  We found a food tent to wait it out.  During a break in the rain, we made our way to the tunnel which runs under the track.  We got almost all the way back to the motor home and the skies opened up again.  We were soaked by the time we got back.  Despite the early rain, the Green Flag dropped on the Sprint Quaker State 400 at 7:30 that night.  It was an exciting race.  Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch battled it out for 400 miles.  Brad pulled ahead in the last 20 laps for the win.  This race was billed as a shootout between Busch and Keselowski.  They didn’t disappoint.

From here we head to St. Louis.  I’ll post something when I can.