Stranger in a Strange Land
Will all due apologies to science fiction writer Robert Heinlein and his seminal book Stranger in a Strange Land [1], that title sums up how I feel about being in the Social Media Garage for the Super Weekend. First and foremost, I am an open-wheel fan. Something about IndyCars, sprints, midgets, F1 and other open-wheel formulas just does it for me. Don’t get me wrong, though. I am a racing fan. I enjoy the NASCAR series, even though the recent iterations of the Sprint Cup seem somewhat less than dynamic. I know, I’m sure if someone took the time to tutor me in the esoterica of Sprint Cup aerodynamics, pit stops, and strategy then I would come to the light, drink the Kool Aid, and don a wardrobe of Tony Stewart shirts and hats. It just hasn’t happened so far.
That begs the question of what the hell I’m doing in the NASCAR Super Weekend Social Media Garage. Basically, I am loud, opinionated, and willing to embarrass myself in public. I am sure IMS mentioned how important that is when they recruited the other social media types for the weekend. I am still figuring out my persona for the weekend. The fact is, I’m an Indianapolis Motor Speedway guy. I know its history, its cultural meaning, and the good places to eat and drink in the area: an IMS idiot savant, so to speak. I am offering my services to any blogger/social media expert/passerby who wants to talk Indy. I might even be willing to listen to other opinions about racing. But don’t count on it.
The reality is that fenders are OK with me. I spent last Friday and Saturday at Anderson Speedway, a quarter-mile high-banked asphalt track watching three different series of stock cars (JEGS Crate Late Models, McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models, and the ARCA CRA Super Series in the Stoops Freightliner-Quality Trailer Redbud 300) race and, I had a blast. Support your local grass roots racing by attending the show at your local track. And the tenderloins were as big as hubcaps. Don’t believe me? Check it out. That’s a full size plate.
That’s the kind of information I bring to the Super Weekend Social Media Garage. It’s just another service provided to fans here at New Track Record.
The truth is I really like the NASCAR drivers who wheeled midgets and sprints as their paths to the big time. I’m a fan of Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, and all the others who know what it means when they see a t-shirt that says “Slide or Be Slid.” Even though I’m a stranger who will be attending my first NASCAR race after being in the crowd for 44 Indy 500’s, I don’t really think it will be that strange a land. It’s still Indy.
See you in the Social Media Garage. I will try to send out a lie post or two every day. You can also follow my ramblings on Twitter @NewTrackRecord.
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1. Want to know more about Robert Heinlein? This link takes you to the Heinlein Society site. Don’t worry. He’s no L. Ron Hubbard, and no pseudoscientific religion has formed around him. I doubt Tom Cruise or John Travolta have ever read his stuff. I do love his philosophies, though. I recommend you read Time Enough for Love. http://www.heinleinsociety.org/rah/index.htm
New Track Record 
Tasty tidbit of the same name from Iron Maiden: “Stranger in a Strange Land.” Thank you, sir.
Excellent post. Like you, I’m an open wheel fanatic-and to take even further-a supermodified fan. Pretty small microcosm in auto racing to begin with. It’s tough to figure out your place in a foreign land, but in the end, if you are a REAL race fan, you’ll enjoy the race and take it for what it is. Thanks, I needed to read this on a weekend when I’m missing my first Hy-Miler Supermodified Nationals in about 12 years and only 3rd missed show in 25. Maybe it’s time to head over to Brewerton and see some dirt mods! Keep up the great work!
Where did you find that tenderloin?
Breaded tenderloin found at Anderson Speedway.