1. The year of the Tents. 2010 saw the first paddock tent. It became a hub of activity featuring cook-outs, parties and hours upon hours of 4-square. This year 10 more tents will be added to the fold, each from a different division. Factor in the annual CP party, rumors of “Big Wheel ProSolo”and the Bier Garden trucked in from Texas, and this should be the best paddock in Nationals History.
2. The Battles. This year is shaping up to be the most epic Nationals on course in several years. All eyes will be on classes like Super Stock with Strano taking on Braun and Mark Daddio’s return to F-Stock to take on Brian Peters. E-Modified will see Bob Tunnell trade in the trusty M3 for a Jeep to try to run down the Super Sprite of Jeff Kiesel. But it is often the classes no one sees coming that provide the highest drama, there are always underdogs, legends, heroes and villains battling for championships, trophies or just trying to not be D*L.
3. Education. There is a lot to learn at Nationals. This year will feature a fresh practice course on a bigger pad, designed by Karen Babb. There will be lots of opportunities for testing, tuning or just practice on the Lincoln surface. Need a little help? Evolution is providing instructed Test and Tune Time, Saturday-Wednesday on the practice course as well as the annual Course Seminar on Monday night. And don’t forget, this is the biggest collection of Nationally competitive drivers each year. Bring a notepad, you may want to write a few things down.
4. Money. Nationals is not free, but 2011 is the best chance at winning some of that money back. This year’s event has a record 19 contingency programs ranging from tire to auto manufacturers. If you can run up front, count on stopping at the bank on the way home.
5. Everyone else is doing it. There are two types of people at Nationals, your current friends, and your future friends. Good news, they’ll both be there.