By nature of the job, I spend a lot of time in my car, driving to and from the office or around the state to cover games, meets and events of all kinds. It’s safe to say, I drive a lot.
And I always kind of thought I was a pretty good driver. But, after a couple of experiences behind the wheel of a NASCAR stock car, I can say without a doubt that I was in no way meant to be a professional driver.
Last year I attended my first Media Racing Challenge, sponsored by the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is an annual event where members of the media get the chance to get behind the wheel of a stock car and take some laps on the Magic Mile.
As I wrote at the time, I had been around the track on a couple of different occasions in the pace car, once in an SUV and the other time in a sedan, where I found myself sitting on the passenger seat riding incredibly close to the wall as the professional driver maneuvered the car around the track.
I was excited to get the chance last year and when the opportunity arose this year to do it again, I took up the NHMS media relations staff on their invitation and after making a bunch of donuts on Friday morning, June 23, I headed south to Loudon and signed all the appropriate paperwork in the media center. They had the fire suits we needed to wear right there and I stepped into the suit and sat down for the orientation video.
This year the event was run by a different company. Last year it was a company associated with Rusty Wallace, while this year it was a company associated with The King, Richard Petty. Last year’s presentation was mostly done in person by a member of the racing experience company, but this year it was all done on video.
After the video we made our way out to Victory Lane, where we got a couple of welcome speeches and then were introduced by NHMS staff member Scott Spradling. I was not alone in returning to the track, but there were also a good number of rookies getting behind the wheel.
After getting a helmet and the HANS safety device attached, every participant took a ride-along before getting behind the wheel and the driver showed us how to handle the car as we made our way around the track. Once we had the ride-along in the books, it was time for us to give it a try.
Last year, as a fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr., I was excited to drive the number eight Budweiser car. This year there were two options, including an 88 Dale Junior car and an 18 Kyle Busch car. We didn’t get a choice, but rather took the car that came in when it was our turn to climb behind the wheel.
The window entrance to the NASCAR vehicles is not meant for people with, shall we say, larger stomachs. However, I was able to squeeze in the passenger side of the ride-along vehicle and then into the 18 car for my turn. After staff members made sure all the safety devices were secured and the steering wheel was on, my spotter came into the radio and told me I was good to go.
I made my way down pit road, shifting up to fourth gear as I got to the apron in turn one. They had us stay in the apron around the first two turns before getting up to speed on the backstretch. There were cones on the side of the track that told us when we should be letting up on the gas and then hammering it to the floor again.
Like last year, I felt like I was going a lot faster than I actually did, which was incredibly frustrating. I did feel like I was moving faster this year than last year, but the way that they measured us was different this year. Last year it was our average speed, which saw me fall near the bottom with a rather disappointing time. This year, it was our top speed, which again saw me near the bottom of the pack.
According to the official stats, my top speed was 127.88 miles per hour. The top recorded speed for the day was just a bit over 140 mph. I felt that I did better than my average speed last year, but there was no way to tell for sure. Most of the participants who were there this year agreed that the cars this year seemed to be a bit slower than the ones we raced in last year, but with a year under my belt, I felt a little more confident.
That being said, the results certainly don’t bear that out. It’s safe to say I will not be subbing in for Chase Elliott any time soon.
However, it was still a blast to get another chance to sit in the driver’s seat and I am looking forward to NASCAR returning to New Hampshire in July.
New England’s only NASCAR weekend is July 14-16 at NHMS. On-track action kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) plus Friday Night Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. The action continues with NCS qualifying, the Ambetter Health 200 NXS race and Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race on Doubleheader Saturday and culminates with the NCS taking on “The Magic Mile” Sunday for the Crayon 301. Don’t miss all of the exciting off-track action including Race Day Live with Kenny Wallace and John Roberts, The Groove fan hangout, concerts from Dirty Deeds and Shot of Poison, family movie night featuring “Top Gun: Maverick,” driver appearances, a variety of live performances, fireworks and much more.
For a NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.
Log on to NHMS.com for tickets and more information on the weekend’s lineup of action-packed racing.
Thumbs up for the camera before the steering wheel is attached and I make my way out on to the track during the Media Racing Challenge last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (RC Greenwood)
Getting in and out of the cars is not meant for people with larger stomachs, but I didn’t get stuck, so there’s that. (RC Greenwood)
Waving to the adoring crowd, or something like that, during pre-race introductions last Friday. (RC Greenwood)
Members of the media listen to the pre-race speeches before taking to the track in the Media Racing Challenge. (RC Greenwood)
Thumbs up means I survived my laps around New Hampshire Motor Speedway last Friday afternoon. (RC Greenwood)
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