No Place like Chicagoland Speedway By Aaron Adelman

Aaron Adelman

Period 2

11-5-13

No Place like Chicagoland Speedway

Every year since I was eight I would go to Chicago land Speedway to watch the NASCAR races. Going to the race track is a lot like going to a professional sports game. The beginning of the day is always the same. I wake up early to get ready. I pack the cooler to the top filled with snacks and drinks. Then we set off to pick up my uncle. Once my uncle, grandfather, and I are in the car we head off to the track. As we approach the track, there is more and more traffic. It takes at least an hour to travel a mile and a half. Not only are there people trying to get in the track there is also people trying to either buy and or sell tickets. When we finally clear the parking gate there are people to designate parking but even with their help parking is still a complete nightmare. We all get out of the car and head to the section where people can get free souvenirs and try out all different types of products consisting of food all the way to car care products. As the start of the race approaches people stampede the first entrance gate. There are two gates the first one is for bag checking and the second is where they scan the tickets. Right after we enter that second gate the smell just hits you. The smell is from all the food vendors and it is just irresistible. After I get some food I head into the grandstands where the announcer is giving driver introductions. After the introductions are done someone sings the National Anthem which is followed by a flyover or a skydiver parachuting out of the sky. Then the moment everyone has been waiting for finally arrives. The announcer says “drivers start your engines” and just like that all the small block Chevy’s fire up and it is truly the best sound in the world. Then the racers take a few caution laps behind the pace car and then the green flag drops and they come screaming by. After a few hours of entertainment there is a winner that ends up doing a burnout at the end. Then we head back to the car and wait forever to get out of the track and get home.