NASCAR in NYC

On our hurried 10 minutes walk from Grand Central to work, we had to stop and gawk. 42nd Street was blocked off. Cars, trucks, and cabs were stopped from crossing one of the busiest street on the island. Evan, the forever rubber-necker insist that we stop and see what's going on. I, never want to be mistaken as a tourist, insisted we keep walking and get to work. My curiosity compromised. We walked along 42nd Street slowly. I figured, if nothing happens by the time we reach Broadway, whatever going to happen is not worth it.

When we reached the public library, across the street from the Grace Building, we heard it. Loud rumbling. Very loud rumbling. Evan wondered aloud what that sound can be. I thought, it's probably some construction truck on the corner of 7th and 42nd. Instead, we saw a race car, followed by a double-decker bus. Then, even louder rumbling. Now, I can tell that it's not a construction truck. It's engine reving up. Big engines.

Stock cars. A line of approximately 10 NASCAR stock cars drove slowly in front of us. The famous cars and drivers passed in front of us, reving their monster engines. It was definitely cool to see something like that on the humdrum commute to work. Of course, we had Evan's iPhone to take some pictures.

After I got to work, I did some quick search on NASCAR and NYC. I found out that today's event was the parade of cars (Victory Lap in New York). But I also found out that this might be the last time NASCAR will drive through NYC. Due to lack of interest and general NYC apathy toward this sport, the event will move to Las Vegas. I was glad that I caught a glimpse of the event. I am sad that it's leaving NYC. But, I can also understand. I was one of those New Yorkers that didn't know or cared if Evan didn't make us gawk.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_bowles/11/27/banquet/

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