Some of the best racing on a road course I’ve ever watched. Great side-by-side racing, and lots of over-under moves for three or four corners at a time.
it will be interesting to see how it goes without the stages on road courses next year. I think the stages actually helped the race this weekend. Probably kept it from being a snooze-fest up front, and allowed several different leaders
Yes. Good race. Winner started P32, Truex got put to the back for pit road speed and came back to 8th or so in 30 laps. Fun.
Tons of road racing this weekend. Xfinity and Cup at Road America, F1 in Austria, Six hours of the Glen, Indycars at Mid-Ohio. Plus, SRX short track race Saturday night. Could have developed couch sores if I watched it all.
Elkhart Lake is one great race track to attend . The locals are 100% supportive of the track. It's historic nature is a steady comfort. The town is full of antique shops and actual antique hotels where festivities are usually held. Plus it's resort country. Rural farmland lakes and wonderful winding roads.
The track food is prepared by local Church groups so it's Grandma's best pies etc. The track itself was laid out with aide of local road builders who were also sports-car enthusiasts. and is in remarkable condition considering it's approaching 70 years old.
Then there is the racing. High speed carousel, leading to a long"straight" that's not straight but treated that way. 14 corners. The hurry downs and those 3 long straights just set to gobble horsepower.
Viewing from countless points and several spots to watch various parts of the track.
Big thunder boomers like NASCAR, Trans Am show the tracks great side. Then there are vintage races where Big Block Can Am cars, Corvettes Cobras all thunder around raising the hairs on the back of your neck.
But that is nothing like the joy of driving there, foot flat to the floor as you crest a blind rise followed by a curve. Or trying to tip toe around the carousel on the very edge of control, knowing your exit speed leads to a critical straight.
Hills, crests, blind turns, tight turns, the Hurry Downs that vary just enough so rhythm is nearly impossible to feel but critical to do.
Drivers track, spectators track and wonderful people.
As busy as my job is I like going to RA on Fridays as the crowds are less although it's a lot of practice and qualifying.
You can walk or drive or free golf cart cab the entire place. Eat like a king and sit in the back of my truck near the track. As Friday ends I hate myself for not staying the entire weekend but I have other obligations. This was Vintage Racing 2 years ago in July - I do have 7/16 as a vacation day to attend again. Not my Corvette......
I haven't finished watching yet, but the racing I saw was top notch. Color me impressed.
In reply to frenchyd :
I drove a Champcar race there in 2015. We used the bike chicane, so we didn’t get to do the ‘kink’. But I still loved it any ways, along with the town. Definitely need to get back there.
I haven't seriously watched NeKar like I used to since Sr. passed and all this stage E36M3, but I have a new favorite .....Kyle freekin' Larson OHY!!! He started the last stage in 18th and was up to 13th by Canada corner on the first lap. Had he not been punted by his own teammate he may have finished on the podium. I'm all in this season #5 is da man!!!!
In reply to 759NRNG :
To a lessor degree Brainerd Minnesota has some of Elkart Lakes Atrributes. It's only 3 miles long and lacks the elevation changes Elkhart Lake has but the turn 1 banking is a real check your shorts kinda corner.
Most racers stay off the banking and a lot even lift going into 1 but the fast way is ride the banking up and pass on the outside. If you do it's full throttle into 3.
Road America is probably the track that I've driven multiple weekends that I feel I came the furthest from getting decent at getting around. It's a fantastic challenge.
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