Page 271 - 2019_NPPG_digital copy

TAILGATING Pocono, if you’ve been there, you That is what makes NASCAR tailgat- canopy fly with an unexpected breeze.

Others have felt the head-pounding
ing special. It’s a place where friends
know what we’re talking about. The
become family, braving hot summer
Monday mornings from a sip or two
parties are as good as the race.
NASCAR STYLE Ronnie Neely is affectionately known heat or a cool fall breeze to follow their too many of their favorite can of suds.
passion. If life is about doing what you
love, then how could you turn down a
as the brisket man at Texas Motor
Those are the battle scars that so
weekend to hang out with family and
many have. That learning opportunity
Speedway. The Neely’s, no relation to
the barbecuing Neely family in Mem-
more sunscreen, bigger tent stakes or
phis, turn a grassy or asphalt lot into friends at the track. makes the next tailgate even better,
an all-day party, complete with food So legendary, some tailgaters have a little more water in the cooler.
good enough to warrant its own epi- become that it seems as if they are
sode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. putting as much work into getting When he is not dripping beads of
ready for race weekend as their favor- sweat onto a hot grill, covered in
A small generator powers all the lux- ite drivers. kielbasa, brisket and pork shoulder,
uries: cable television, a frozen drink Ronnie Neely passes the day playing
machine and a recliner chair with a Tailgating is a cruel learning opportu- bags, or corn hole, you may call it,
built in fridge. nity for some that have felt the sting depending on where you’re from.
of an all-day sunburn, or seen their
Somewhere Kyle Busch and Tony
Stewart flags mark their alle-
giance, past and present.
“What you start to feel is a
camaraderie. You see the
same faces and friends
every year,” Neely
notes.

THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2019 PREVIEW & PRESS GUIDE 271