Nashville Superspeedway Proves NASCAR Is Alive and Well

I hadn't been to a NASCAR race in more than a decade, and to be honest, I wasn't sure what we'd find at Nashville Superspeedway. We went to support our son and his band, Yellow Banks. We left with ringing ears, great memories, and a completely different perspective on the state of NASCAR.

Everyone Says NASCAR Is Dying.
Nashville Superspeedway Told a Different Story.

I went to my first NASCAR race in more than a decade on Sunday, and I didn't know what to expect.

Like many people, I've heard all the talk over the years. NASCAR isn't what it was in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Television ratings aren't what they once were. The sport isn't the cultural giant it was during the days of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and so many others.

Because of that, I wasn't quite sure what we'd find when we rolled into Nashville Superspeedway.

My NASCAR memories go back a long way.

I remember watching NASCAR with my dad on ABC's Wide World of Sports when Owensboro's own Darrell Waltrip was one of the sport's biggest stars. At the time, I was living in Northern Michigan, so the Owensboro connection didn't mean much to me. Years later, life came full circle when I had the opportunity to have Darrell on my radio show. #memories

When I moved to Owensboro in 1994, I quickly learned just how passionate NASCAR fans were around here. Everybody seemed to have a favorite driver. Some cheered for Dale Earnhardt. Others were loyal to Jeff Gordon. Later, Jimmie Johnson built one of the most dedicated fan bases in the sport. NASCAR wasn't just something people watched on Sundays. For many fans, it was a huge part of the weekend!

My NASCAR fandom really took off after I met Tony Stewart at a NASCAR event in Evansville during his rookie season in the late 1990s. I was instantly a fan. Like a lot of NASCAR fans, though, when your favorite driver retires, it's hard to stay as connected to the sport. Over time, I drifted away.

That's why what happened Sunday wasn't what I expected.

The funny thing is, we weren't even there primarily for the race. We were there to watch our son perform with Yellow Banks as part of the pre-race festivities. Seeing an Owensboro band on that stage was a proud moment all by itself.

After the performance, we found our seats in the second row and settled in for the race.

And that's when I started realizing the NASCAR I remembered wasn't gone at all.

The crowd was enormous. The grandstands were nearly full. Fans were engaged from start to finish. People were standing, cheering, reacting, and completely invested in what was happening on the track.

What stood out most to me, though, was seeing so many families there together.

Parents and grandparents were introducing kids to the sport they love. Everywhere I looked, young fans were wearing gear representing their favorite drivers. I saw plenty of Shane van Gisbergen and Carson Hocevar shirts and hats mixed in with the legends of the past. That told me something important. This wasn't a fan base simply holding on to memories. A new generation is finding its place in the sport.

And then there was the noise.

I knew NASCAR was loud.

I had forgotten just how loud it is.

The cars don't just make noise. You feel them. Every lap rattles through your chest. Sitting in the second row was incredible, but it didn't take long for us to realize we should have packed noise-canceling headphones! Lesson learned.

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Beyond the racing, the thing I'll remember most is how kind everyone was. Strangers struck up conversations. Fans were happy to share stories and talk about their favorite drivers. The atmosphere was electric but also welcoming.

Nashville Superspeedway deserves a lot of credit for that. The facility was outstanding, the event was well organized, and the fan experience was first class from beginning to end.

We came to Nashville to watch our son and support Yellow Banks.

We left talking about when we'd go back for another race.

It turned into one of those unexpected adventures that ends up becoming one of your favorite memories.

Will NASCAR ever be exactly what it was during its peak years? Probably not.

But after seeing packed grandstands, passionate fans, families passing the sport down to the next generation, and an atmosphere that exceeded every expectation I had, I can confidently say this:

If you think NASCAR is dead, spend a Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway.

You might change your mind.

We came for Yellow Banks. We left with ringing ears, a renewed appreciation for NASCAR, and plans to do it again.

Next time, though, we're bringing noise-canceling headphones!