Pomona Nationals Shake, Rattle And Roll The Blogger
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Blogger
While I would not exactly classify this as a bucket list item, I did check off something from my “I always wanted to do that” list.
I went to a drag race.
Specifically, it was the NHRA Finals at Pomona’s Auto Club Speedway Raceway in Los Angeles. This was the season-ending event for the NHRA and it took place on a cool mid-November Sunday.
And it was quite a thrill!
They Weren’t Kidding About The Earplugs
I had heard that you need earplugs, that the ground shakes and of course knew the cars were fast (they cover a quarter of a mile in three seconds exceeding speeds of 300 mph).
But I did not know they were THAT loud, that they are so fast you only get to see them for maybe a second, and that the earth below you feels like you’re standing on one of those vibrating beds.
Trying to take pictures with a cell phone camera, I quickly learned, was pretty much pointless. By the time the shutter clicked the cars were at the finish line. Plus, I couldn’t cover my ears when the cars went by and that’s a near necessity.
I should have known better as NHRA veterans had told me for years it’s a good idea to have earplugs at these things and before the first Top Fuel Dragsters ran I saw people around me covering their ears. When the cars took off I had to bend down and do the same, for the sound rattles the eardrums as if they are inside the bass drum of a college marching band.
I found it was best to forget the camera and just enjoy the ride. When those Top Fuel Dragsters and even the Funny Cars go by it makes hairs you didn’t realize even existed stand up on your body.
Naturally, such activity requires beverages and I noticed that pretty much everyone had a beer in their hand. Getting one is not a problem in Pomona. You can’t walk for 10 seconds without running into a station; big DRAFt BEER DEPOT bars and BUD LIGHT booths are everywhere just outside of the grandstands.
Yes, drag racing is a good ‘ol beer-drinking sport and here you don’t have any trouble getting plenty of both racing and beers.
Previously the closest I had been to drag racing was driving on the track to park for the LA County Fair, which takes place in this same massive area.
And speaking of the LA County Fair, that’s what this reminded me of to a degree.. Outside the grandstands many the same vendors from the fair were lined up selling food and beers. The biggest difference was instead of taking rides, you’re watching rides (at a considerable faster pace, I might add).
The event also reminded me somewhat of the horse racing track at Del Mar, where you grab a beer and walk right up to the fence to see the horses run on the track. At Pomona, if you have a grandstand seat you can do the same (tho the cars were running on the opposite track when I was along the fence).
This was akin to being in the dugout of a Dodgers game (or so I would assume).
I was also impressed with how much you get for your ticket. Even a GA includes grandstands and you get to go through the paddock to see the cars up close with their crews and transporters.
By contrast, at the Long Beach Grand Prix IndyCar race (and most other forms of racing, in fact), a GA gets you onto the grounds where all the concessions are sold, into the Expo where companies have more things to sell you, and along the manufacturers midway with more things to buy, such as hats and t-shirts.
In other words, everywhere you can spend money. (To be fair, the Grand Prix also includes the Saturday night Rock ‘n Roar concert.)
The only damper on the day – quite literally – was an occasional spitting rain that caused a few delays (yes, rain in Los Angeles!). But that just led everyone to grab their Budweisers, Bud Lights, Shock Tops, Stella Artois, Goose Islands (yes, how about a craft beer at the races!), and huddle under the DRAFT BEER DEPOT areas, which became like open-air bars.
The NHRA returns to Auto Club Speedway Feb. 5-8 for the Winternationals. You might see me there, holding a beer. And covering my ears.
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