INDIANAPOLIS – Dozens came out to the Brickyard 400 fan fest Thursday night, and just about every one of them can tell you why NASCAR means so much.
“I’ve been coming to the speedway since I was 5 or 6 years old and it just anything to do with the speedway I’m there,” said Dave Yurasko.
“I just think it’s exciting for everyone to come back down. It’s been a while since the brickyard has been back running the oval again. I remember taking my mom and dad when Jeff Gordon won the first one in 1994 so the excitement is back,” said Donnie Lines.
But for one lifelong fan, 7-year-old Finley Tittle, meeting his favorite NASCAR driver, Joey Logano, left him speechless.
“My son in particular has dreamed of meeting Joey Logano and he keeps practicing what he would say to him if he met him,” said Finley’s mom, Emily Tittle. “He wants to be a NASCAR crew chief someday. He loves all things NASCAR, but especially Joey”.
“I loved it,” exclaimed Finley, when asked what he thought about meeting Logano.
The excitement, whether or not put into words, was definitely felt, as fans gear up for the brickyard to be back on the oval for the first time since 2020.
“When we went to the road course you had a lot of drivers who said, ‘this belongs on the oval’ and I know that our fans just by the reaction we’re getting in ticket sales, fans are really excited to be back in the oval,” said IMS President, Doug Boles.
And as the celebrations continue leading up to the Brickyard 400 next weekend, fans are just happy to see the race back home again.
“The last few years the nostalgia hasn’t been there and like the excitement this time of year, end of July, 1st of august and getting the brickyard back and the fandom. It’s just an exciting time in the race and the community. The Brickyard is special,” said Lines.
For more information on the Brickyard 400, click here.
