Thunder Valley
As I sit here watching Speed and waiting for the Bristol Cup race to start I am reminded of the time I covered the race there in the spring of ‘06. In the days leading up to the race I had been keeping an eye on the weather for the area since my trip would involve an 8 hour drive. Frozen precipitation was predicted for at least part of the weekend. Snow? No way, I thought. Rain maybe, but not snow.
When I arrived at a friend’s house on Thursday evening we watched the local weather forecasts. It quickly became apparent that snow might, indeed fall during the Bristol weekend.
Friday morning revealed an overcast sky as I made the 20 minute drive over to the track. There was a little rain but nothing much. It was chilly as I interviewed drivers that morning. You might remember that Kevin Harvick had some choice words about Kurt Busch in the media center that morning; something about Kurt’s ears and the fact that he (Busch) would soon embarrass Roger Penske.
Race cars finally got onto the track Friday afternoon, preparing for an afternoon qualifying session. Then it began.
Snow.
It snowed harder and harder until the announcement was made that Cup qualifying would be canceled. The field would be set according to the previous year’s owner points. I left the track wondering if the snow would be a factor in the Busch (now Nationwide) race on Saturday as well as the Cup race on Sunday.
Even the King took cover!
On Saturday morning, I got up and immediately looked outside. Flurries. The snow let up a bit as I made my way to the track. By the time I got into the track the snow had stopped and it looked like the Busch race would be run.
Indeed, the race got underway as scheduled, but early on the clouds began to look ominous. Then, a caution flag…for snow. The cars were brought onto pit road and covered. I was fortunate to be in one of the suites high above the speedway for the race and I was able to witness something I had never seen at a racetrack.
A snowball fight!
Fans began to lob snowballs across the track toward pit road and then, the drivers and crews began to make their own snowballs and throw them back toward the stands! I saw Michael Waltrip himself take part in this odd form of entertainment! It was the weirdest thing I had ever seen at a racetrack!
Eventually the race resumed and Kyle Busch was flagged the winner. Sunday there was a little snow on my truck and some sleet and snow falling as I drove to the track for the main event. Tailgaters were undaunted, though, and I saw some who had there grills set-up. Who cares if it’s freezing?
Another Busch, Kurt, win his first race for Roger Penske in the number 2 car he had taken over from Rusty Wallace. Kurt got out of his car for a post race celebration at the start-finish line. He laid down on the track and began to wave his arms and legs. What?
Snow angels.
It was a weekend I will never forget. I will always be able to say I was there when the snowball fight broke out at Bristol!