I admit that I know nothing about NASCAR racing. My only experience with cars and tracks was during my high school days when I went to some dirt race tracks with a boyfriend. To be honest, I was bored and more interested in boys than cars. Needless to say, I wasn't particularly excited about seeing this NASCAR movie because I knew nothing about what turns out to be the biggest spectator sport in the U.S. I came away with a new appreciation for the whole NASCAR experience.
This film is so well-written, mixing facts and humor ("Automobile racing began with the manufacture of the second car.") with actual scenes from racing that the time just flew by! When it ended, I wasn't ready for it to close--I wanted more facts, more racing, more scenes. Fans and novices are given the history of NASCAR and a look at the sport from every angle imagineable: behind the wheel, in the pit, in the shop, in the factory where the cars are built, pre-race set-up, in the stands as a fan, from the sportscasters announcement box plus highlights from actual races, including accidents, starts, and passes.
At the Premiere, four real NASCAR drivers were on hand to answer questions, sign autographs, and mingle with fans and talk about what it was like to live the NASCAR life. The Huntsville audience got a close-up look at Steve Grissom, Rick Crawford, Tracy Hines, and Jimmy Kitchens during the premiere of the NASCAR EXPERIENCE at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
As you learn in the film, a lot of the science and technology used in the Space Program is applied to the design and manufacturer of the cars used in the NASCAR races. With Alabama's Talladega Speedway and contribution to the Space Program, it seems only fitting that Huntsville was chosen to showcase this new movie to the public.
Once you experience this film, you feel like you've been there, done that--raced at a NASCAR track. I think people from varying degrees of expertise and interest in NASCAR will enjoy this film. I encourage everyone to take advantage of a movie that is a perfect fit for the eight-stories-high screen and 12,000 watts of uncompressed digital, wrap-around sound of the IMAX theatre.
You can see NASCAR EXPERIENCE at the IMAX Theatre at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville daily starting March 12, 2004 at 10 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. There will be special Friday and Saturday evening shows during March at 7:30 pm. For advanced tickets, call (256) 837-3400, ext. 150. (showtimes are subject to change, so call for latest updates!)
For more info on NASCAR racing, go to About.com's NASCAR site.
NASCAR Movie & Premiere Photo Gallery
