Carolyn Brewster: Camping at Atlanta Motor Speedway could lead to a whole new race experience
COMMENTARY
A friend handed me a hand-drawn map. Puzzled, I looked at it and studied it, trying to make sense of it.
“It’s a map to our campsite at the track in Atlanta,” she interjected.
Oh, now I see. Put into context, I understood perfectly each of the landmarks, gates and roads referenced.
Sweet! Talk about “X” marks the spot. Following this treasure map will lead me to a refuge of food, drink and lawn chairs – a home base slightly more sophisticated and permanent than our usual tailgate from the back of the car.
So the obvious question is, should I bring chips or donuts?
As many times as I have been to Atlanta Motor Speedway, we have never pulled our camper. An easy hour-and-a-half drive from our home, I’m not sure it ever occurred to me that, even though we’re close, we can still camp.
In fact, it may be preferable. How easy would it be to sling shot up for a fun weekend of racing without having it sandwiched between long road trips?
Years ago, I chatted with a random fan in a fast-food joint right after watching qualifying. He mentioned he came up early in the week, dropped the camper and headed back home.
When fans started showing up for the weekend and space was a little tight, he and his family drove from their home, hopped out of the truck and were already settled. No navigating a camper through congested areas or having all of NASCAR nation offer advice on the best way to “pull in.”
Aside from having to pay for the camping space all week, I’m thinking his idea was not a bad one.
Visiting my friend at her site this weekend has made me consider how different the race experience can be based on accommodations. You can commute for the day, stay at a hotel, or live at the track in your camper.
Like different ends of the spectrum, commuting makes for a very long day and trackside camping allows for a lot more freedom and participation. I am really feeling like one visit to my friend’s site and camping will be the only way to experience the track. We shall see.
I’ve been to Atlanta a lot of times and we have our routine down pat. Race weekends are always exciting, but this weekend the anticipation of a new experience has me looking forward to it with a fresh eagerness.
For years I have walked through the camping areas on my way to somewhere else at the track. This weekend I have a place and a reason to stop.
