BLOG: Come to Kentucky and Be Impressed

Going to Kentucky Speedway is a hoot. It reminds me of driving to places like Salem or Eldora. You're driving along, and all of a sudden, there's the track, popping out of the greenery in all its splendor.

Kentucky is unique in that is built into the land it occupies, not on top of it. Hills were smoothed and formed around the 1.5-mile oval, and it looks good.

There are some traffic ills, of course, but there are traffic problems at nearly every track. I like it.

The bumps around the place give it character, and it's an additional factor that the drivers have to contend with. Like that too.

All in all, Sparta, Ky. is not that impressive as a city. It's a city hall, a tavern and a filling station gathered around a railroad line and a stop light. No matter, because it's outside the city where the track is.

Last year, we jumped off one exit early off I-71 and came in the back way. It was a blast. Driving down a narrow two-lane road and crossing over the railroad tracks every mile or so--by virtue of a 90-degree turn with an abutment staring you in the face--was fun and not a little intimidating, especially when you nearly hit a farm truck coming the other way.

I like Kentucky because it's unique. Yeah, it's sort of like Charlotte and Texas and Vegas, but it really is its own place. And, it is closer to my home place in Indiana. And they have White Castle. The people are nice, too.

Come to Kentucky. You won't be disappointed.