Carolyn Brewster: A hard day of walking at the track
By Carolyn Brewster
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Fans walk through the infield tunnel at Kansas Speedway, one of many long walks fans face during a day at that track, or any track, for that matter.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
COMMENTARY
I’ve mentioned it a million times before and anyone who’s been to the track knows it from personal experience – a day at the races means a lot of walking. But there is nothing concrete or definitive about the term “a lot.” What might be a short hike for one fan could be the equivalent of a marathon to another. So, in an effort to hang some meat on the bones of the overused term “a lot,” I decided to do some research. Armed with a pedometer and a good pair of walking shoes, I set off for a day at Talladega Superspeedway to determine exactly how far “a lot” really is.
Clipped to my hip, the pedometer began counting steps the moment I arrived at the speedway. My morning consisted of what I consider regular fan activity – parking in the middle of nowhere, getting lost, finding food, locating bathrooms, shopping, picking up our tickets, plus prerace shows and activities. By the time I found my seat and the green flag waved, I had logged 12,739 steps. At a stride of roughly 27 inches, that equates to 5.43 miles. OK, doesn’t sound like much, but I was impressed. And no, I didn’t do the math to convert that in my head.
Through the remainder of the race day I only managed an additional 1.5 miles, for a grand total of 16,248 steps, or 6.93 miles. That mostly consisted of trips to the concession stand, bathroom, and then the final walk back to the car (I even found my car on the first try). If nothing else, that certainly underscores the need for comfort over fashion in the shoe department.
Since I received no federal grants or subsidies – only a really good piece of fried chicken from a hospitality buffet – my research does not account for certain variables. Fans who tailgate might tend to log few steps at a NASCAR race. The need for food and entertainment is satisfied right there at their vehicle, so infrequent trips to the port-a-potty and grandstands might lead to fewer steps.
The second variable to consider is the size of the track. Superspeedways are massive, so to get from one side of the track to the other is naturally a farther distance. However, a colleague, Scene photographer, David Griffin, says he walks more at smaller tracks. The simple logic: at smaller tracks everything “seems” close, so we walk.
At big tracks, we can drive, take the shuttle, or just not make the effort to see what’s on the other side. I vote we slap a pedometer on Mr. Griffin and get some hard statistics.
Although my findings won’t be reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, you can know with great certainty for all my future columns, I define walking “a lot” at the track as walking really, really far.
Popular News
-
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Which Sprint Cup star will snap his long winless streak first?
Comments (186) -
For Dale Earnhardt Jr., life as an Earnhardt is not easy, especially when you're not winning
Comments (139) -
Jeff Owens: Should RCR’s black No. 3 return to NASCAR’s Cup series?
Comments (119) -
Hendrick Motorsports’ Mark Martin more prepared mentally and physically for 2010
Comments (105) -
Dale Earnhardt Inc. plans for Jeffrey Earnhardt still in flux
Comments (96)
Recent Headlines
-
SEASON PREVIEW: Mike Skinner optimistic about 2010 prospects
Comments (1) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Camping World Truck Series top-20 rankings
Comments (2) -
Josh Wise to drive in Nationwide Series for Specialty Racing
Comments (1) -
HBO’s ‘24/7 Jimmie Johnson’ documentary series expected to shift into high gear tonight
Comments (16) -
SEASON PREVIEW: Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards hungry to regain place among Sprint Cup’s elite
Comments (9)
Poll PositionView All
After qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout, who is the favorite to win the Daytona 500?
Promotions
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
Comments
8 responses to "Carolyn Brewster: A hard day of walking at the track". Post a Comment.
MJ48 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 4:39 PMI had a similar experience in Las Vegas as my pedometer recorded 26,000 steps on race day. We parked at least a mile away, shopping, sample chasing, in the tunnel to the infield, back to the seats for the race, numerous bathroom/beverage/food trips, back to the infield after the race, and finally to the car. That's about 13 miles! Unbelievable!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reporteucasafari said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:29 PMtoo bad fans can't go to big race tracks every weekend. not only entertaining but we'd all be looking a lot more fit and in shape that we do now.
Report as Abusemaybe. ;p
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:35 PMi've never understood parking a mile away...
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportjon_bearrrr said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 9:22 PMI'm confused.. Where is the 'walk thru' tunnel at Kansas Speedway??????
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportClint33fan said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 9:38 PM#1- wow, i thought it was a lot of walking... I guess, even more when you figure walking through the hotel/casino 2 blocks to catch the shuttle bus, then back.. plus i did the childrens walk around the track in the morning.. all in all well worth every mile!!! lol
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportrae said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 10:04 PMIf you have never parked a mile away you must get there 3 days before the event or have a Special Pass.
Report as AbusePIR has carts that you can ride from where you park to the stands "for free". They are on a close schedule. If you miss one the next one comes along in 4-5 minutes. Don't all the tracks have them?
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdaviclar38 said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 10:49 PMEveryone walks to where they want to go, no big surprise. This article is just a waste of space, just as in the weekly publication I purchase yearly and skip weekly!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportteema said:
Nov 19, 2009 at 11:35 PM#7...I found your post to be the biggest waste of my time...and the space here....you ARE the biggest moron/loser...
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report