About The Bay: Dissecting The Makeup Of A NASCAR Fan
SONOMA (KCBS) - NASCAR's top series shifted to the Bay Area's scenic wine country over the weekend. Naturally, there was plenty of action on the Infineon Raceway track, but for many, the real thrill was the people-watching in and around the North Bay racing venue.
By most accounts, there was an eclectic mix of spectators, some proudly declaring themselves "stereotypical" race car fans. They described the NASCAR event as a sort of "spring break for grownups" - a chance to let loose, drink freely, and enjoy themselves in the RV village that springs up immediately across the street from the track. It's known "officially" as 50 acres, or unofficially as "crazy acres."
"It gets a little nasty over the weekend," summed up one attendee.
An estimated 6,000 RVs carrying between 15,000 and 20,000 people take up temporary residence in the area, some proudly referring to themselves as rednecks.
Still, others professed a more high-brow sense of style and demeanor, explaining they were looking forward to opening bottles of fine, aged wine during the event.
As KCBS' Mike Sugerman found during his travels about the Bay, the one thing that appeared abundantly clear was that there was a welcoming and accepting tone in the RV village, with very little judgment being passed amongst the race attendees.
KCBS' Mike Sugerman Reports:
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