Diverse NASCAR Caravan Bound For Bristol Motor Speedway

The curious scene on Interstate 81 Monday morning looked as if it was something out of the motion picture “Road Warrior.”

To the dismay of motorists caught in a seemingly endless parade, the road featured all manner of motorhomes, campers, pickup trucks, recreational vehicles, buses and buggies.

This passage, moving at the death-defying speed of 26 mph, was not guided a puffed-up version of Mel Gibson. Far from it.
It was a NASCAR army headed to the Disneyland of short tracks, and the soldiers are eager to party.

Many folks continue to moan about the sweeping facelift made to Bristol Motor Speedway in 2007. The track has lost some of its rowdy ways, but sports promoters across the globe remain envious of the loyal fan base BMS has cultivated.
The streak for Sprint Cup sellouts at Bristol is now up to 55.

To the hardcore motorsports fan, the highlight of the week unfolds tonight with a doubleheader involving the NASCAR Whelen Modified and Camping World Truck Series.
We’ve seen enough of the focus on points racing, clean air, fuel mileage and aerodynamics from the Sprint Cup gang.

The stars of the modified series might talk with a northern drawl that reminds one of maple syrup, but they race with a sense of abandon that is sorely needed at the top levels of NASCAR.

Proven drivers like Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Ed Flemke and Jamie Tomaino lack the matinee idol adoration and boundless budgets of their Sprint Cup brethren. They compensate with ample helpings of hunger and bravery.

And that bravery will come in handy tonight at a high-banked track where 125 speeds are common and wrecks tend to be spectacular.

While 25 modified drivers participated in two test session at BMS, even the most experienced members of the mod squad are not exactly sure what to expect from the debut of national touring series as this NASCAR proving ground.
Heck, even Stefanik was among the host of drivers who spun during testing. 

There is one sure bet, however. If you’ve ever seen these open-wheeled rockets battle, you know they are fast, loud and wild.

Considering the worn-out story lines and inflated egos in NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One, every racing fan is craving a big dose of the unpredictable.

Maybe that’s why the interstate was so crowded lately.

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