By Rich Schott
This year's Poconos NASCAR race was, as always, an absolute blast! The long weekend, stretching from Thursday to Monday, is something I look forward to all year. It's become our little tradition with Jen, Earl and Kelly, Dawn and Aubrey, Bill and Beth, Ed, Rob, and a bunch of our other friends. We've got our RV setup inside the track, just like every year, and share 14 spaces with six other RVs belonging to our friends. It's like a mini-festival within the festival!
The biggest perk of camping inside the track, hands down, has to be the paddock passes. Being able to walk right up to Pit Row and stand by the finish line to watch the cars fly by is an experience like no other. You can feel the rumble, smell the burning rubber, and see the intensity on the drivers' faces – it’s truly electrifying.
This event is just so incredibly patriotic. NASCAR and its fans really embody this amazing, unwavering dedication to the armed forces. It’s heartwarming to see so many people from all walks of life coming together to show their support. The atmosphere is electric, with thousands of people all caught up in the excitement. It’s a powerful reminder of what we're celebrating.
Each night comes alive with live bands, and the fireworks on Saturday night are always a spectacular show. But beyond the organized entertainment, there’s just this incredible sense of camaraderie. We always end up meeting new people, and Rob’s party trailer is legendary. Seriously, it has an elevator that takes you up to a viewing platform on top – it’s ridiculously cool and a fantastic spot for some impromptu hangs. A few spots down, our friend Bo sets up his awesome tiki bar, and it’s pretty much a daily party hub.
This year, I made sure to spend more time in the Fan Fair area. The veterans village was particularly impactful. It’s so important to honor their service. I checked out the souvenir haulers – always a good spot for some race swag – and checked out the various vendors. The live music there was great too, especially when LoCash was performing. Honestly, seeing all the military personnel and witnessing everyone showing their support for everything they do is the biggest highlight for me, even more than the race itself. It’s a profound and moving part of the weekend.
Sunday was race day, and we got lucky with the weather, sort of. The race started a few hours earlier than planned due to the threat of incoming rain. We were glued to our spots, watching all the action unfold. As if on cue, within an hour of the checkered flag waving, the sky opened up, and we were treated to some serious driving rain. It was a fittingly dramatic end to an intense race!
Overall, it was a fantastic four days with some of my favorite people. The combination of the thrilling races, the vibrant atmosphere, the patriotism, the music, and most importantly, the company, made it a truly memorable weekend. We’ve already secured our spots for next year, and honestly, I can’t wait to do it all over again!
Poconos NASCAR 2026 National Anthem & Flyover
LoCash @ Poconos NASCAR 2026 Race
Viewing Poconos NASCAR 2026 Race from Party Trailer
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