There are just two road courses in the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit: Sonoma in California and Watkins Glen in New York. Last spring when planning our itinerary, we considered camping at Watkins Glen and attending the NASCAR Sprint Cup race on August 14. All the RV big rig sites were already booked.
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| Turn right after you go through the gate and drive up to the entry for Thunder Tour |
After leaving Henderson Harbor we decided to visit this international track in the Finger Lakes region of New York even though the race event was complete.
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| We are the fourth vehicle waiting in line for the pace car |
We drove the Thunder Tour at the Glen with three laps around the course. I made a really cool, nine-minute movie as Roger drove lap one. He also raced around lap two; and I drove a slow third lap. Everyone who came for the Thunder Tour hopped out of their cars for a photo opportunity at the finish line after lap two. This was so much fun! Rules at the Thunder Tour include no passing, keep speed at about 55 mph, and follow along in order after the pace car. Everyone was grinning at the end of this race experience.
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| Our pace car--one of two pace cars used in the Sprint Cup race |
You can see the tire celebration of Marcus Ambrose, winner of the NASCAR race at the Glen held two days before we took to the track.
Roger had the opportunity (no choice here) to make a 270 degree left turn up a hill in front of a line of vehicles descending the hill and several police officers who were directing traffic leaving Watkins Glen after the rain-delayed race. This turn was monumental. Roger completed the turn perfectly. We both gave a huge sigh of relief. We took this photo the day after the Sprint Cup race when our blood pressure levels were back in the normal range.
These are the people who were glad we made the turn in Watkins Glen on the way to our KOA campground. This photo was taken immediately after we made the 270 degree turn on race day. These people are most probably leaving the Watkins Glen International Speedway.