I arrived in Nashville knowing little about NASCAR. I left hooked. From driver interactions and Victory Lane celebrations to Darius Rucker and a 2 a.m. departure, my first race weekend showed me why so many people are passionate about the sport.
When my friend and NASCAR Roundtable founder Tyler Jones asked me to join the team, I didn't know exactly what to expect, especially because I didn't know much about the sport.
Sure, I knew most of the drivers and teams. I knew 23XI Racing, owned by the GOAT Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, but as far as which manufacturers were running the best, whether it was Toyota, Ford or Chevrolet, or which drivers excelled on different types of tracks, I had a lot to learn.
I learned quickly, and now I'm hooked. It's been two races since Nashville, and I'm all in.
The experience as a member of the media was unlike anything I've ever experienced, and I've covered Final Fours, national championships and major golf events. In no other sport or major event can you walk onto pit road before the race and have conversations with drivers and their teams.
I was able to meet David Starr, who was racing in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series event. The fact that he took the time to chat and even told me, "You live an exciting life now. You're at NASCAR races covering them," made me feel special. It quickly became the line of the weekend and gave me some encouragement as I begin the freelance chapter of my career.
Inside the media center, those one-on-one interactions with Cup Series drivers during availability gave you a real sense of who they are and how they feel about their cars. Watching from the press box and seeing how drivers set up their moves around the track gave me an even greater appreciation for the sport.
I also had the chance to interview my new favorite driver, Cleetus McFarland. He's a polarizing figure to some, but he brings new fans into NASCAR by giving viewers an inside look at his races through YouTube. I think that's pretty cool, and being around him, you could feel the energy and excitement he brings.
Sunday made the weekend even more unforgettable.
From great meals in the media center, courtesy of Hattie B's, to a free $25 gift card from the race sponsor, the experience just kept getting better. Walking through the haulers and then stumbling into a free acoustic set by music legend Darius Rucker was something I never expected.
And then there were the people you meet. In the media center alone, I ran into Taylor Lewan and Will Compton from Bussin' With The Boys, along with clothing designers who have worked with some of country music's biggest stars, including Lainey Wilson. It's another part of the NASCAR experience that makes it so unique. Outside of perhaps the Super Bowl, there really aren't many events where so many different worlds intersect and where those interactions happen so naturally.
Then came the race.
Watching Denny Hamlin overcome an early penalty after starting from the pole and drive his way back through the field for the victory was incredible. Seeing the emotion in Victory Lane, watching him jump out of the car and celebrate with the team, and seeing all of the different sponsor photos being taken gave me an appreciation for everything that goes into winning a NASCAR race.
Through the rain delay and finally leaving the track at 2 a.m., nothing will compare to my first NASCAR experience.
I'm pumped for what's ahead and already counting down the days until July 5, when I'll be back in Chicago for the next one.
