N: NASCAR & Nicotine

#atozchallenge N is for NASCAR. I work beyond the Texas Motor Speedway in Justin, Texas. This week the "circus" has been in town and it's fascinating to watch a mini-community build over the week. Traffic gets worse and worse, and finally Friday I take the day off. The big race was Saturday night, then people slowly begin to leave. It's pouring rain this Sunday. That should cut down on post-race tailgating. By the time I drive to work on Monday, worker bees comb the grounds to pick up trash. But there's always a straggler - a sad lone trailer hanging out for the week. Who knew I'd be inspired by NASCAR? But here's a poem I wrote last year after race week:

NASCAR left Fort Worth

smudge marks shade track walls
single Earnhart flag flaps for no one
vendor circus hauled wares
down the highway
another venue, another dollar
beer cans recycled
waves of workers combed grounds
plucked trash, bags compacted

lone trailer leans
forlorn fan abandoned post
cows graze nearby
wind howls
engine roar memories

echo in open field

A suitable poison for my NASCAR post is Nicotine. I'm not going to pontificate on the dangers. Let's just say it ain't good for the lungs. But it's big business and big business has the bucks to sponsor racing. God Bless America!

Tempted to Write to the Audience

It's NASCAR weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Actually I'm working at home today because the traffic is way too crazy and my current job is not far from the center of attention. Back in 2005, I was employed for a company, TDE, located at the Speedway. Thanks to that, Ray and I participated in the morning parade - a pretty darn cool experience.

It's hard to tell from these pictures, but ultimately 250,000 fans crammed into the speedway to see cars zooming very fast, around and around a huge banked oval.

Campers and RVs arrived a week before to park at the perfect slot. As I drove to work yesterday, I pondered what these folks were reading (perhaps I should pose the question - are they reading anything?) as they camped for a week in Justin, Texas, a good twenty minute drive to any other worthwhile entertainment (i.e. movies, shopping) venue. I wanted to walk around and take a poll. Surely, one couldn't drink beer non-stop for a week and watch the wind whip Dale Earnhardt, Jr. flags.

I'm aware that one should write for oneself. They say to write what you know. I know nothing about NASCAR. I don't care for the noise and the crowds. But, 250,000 people (less this year due to economic conditions). That's a lot of darn potential readers - even 10% is 25,000. Surely a booth, a booksigning on site would generate something. It's tempting - NASCAR romance, thriller, or mystery.

I know - NASCAR vampires!

Joanne