Travel Channel

NASCAR Episode - Lawrence Takes a Spin

By Lawrence on June 10, 2008

"NASCAR" Premiers Tuesday, June 10 at 11 p.m. ET

Hello again - Lawrence here. The kindly folk at Travel Channel tell me you want more truth - so here I am.
This week's episodes were without doubt the most terrifying of the entire series - at least for me. I guess they could've been more terrifying, I mean it's not like I wrestled lions, tried to catch bullets with my teeth…or attempted a sit down interview with Prince Phillip - I've heard he may actually be a wizard. But for me - some of the activities I performed for you and the camera…but mostly you - were frightful.

I'll get to the scary bits in a moment. First - NASCAR fans. Not scary - merely bewildering. Where I come from, being a passionate fan means drinking yourself stupid and looking forward to punching a fan from the opposing team. I never did that - my mother always said supporting soccer was too dangerous … hence my fondness for croquet. Anyway - NASCAR fans do get drunk - some of them anyway. But no flying fists. Their passion runs deeper than anything I've seen - I mean seriously - who spends the night sleeping outside in line, waiting to get a piece of automobile paneling signed by a driver? Real fans as it turns out.

I could never hope to understand the loyalty, enthusiasm and unusual cultural rituals in the time we spent there - but I did understand the warmth, and generosity. Thank you to all who let a total foreign stranger and his camera crew into their mobile homes, and tents.

Thanks also to driver David Ragan - for almost letting me win the go-cart driving, and for not humiliating me. I hope you win whatever it is you're hoping to win. A race I suppose. I can report you are now my official 'driver of choice'. Along with Carl Edwards. Don't worry - there's room in my heart for you both.

Now - Wichita, Kansas. Again - great fans, and even greater track organizers. While we were shooting, the nice people in the commentary box kept announcing our appearance - every five minutes. I mean, I'm all about truth - and I'll never say no to publicity - but even I was a little uncomfortable with all the overwhelming support. Especially, after I was soundly thrashed by children. Not one of my career highlights. For the record - the car was incredibly claustrophobic - it was designed to seat a teenager, not a seasoned reporter with rippling thighs. Also - the track was very slippery. And Beldon-Smythe's are not known for their driving prowess. We're more the chauffeured types - not the chauffeure.




But I survived. I didn't finish last. I gave the crowd a taste of English culture and bravery, and we managed to create some television magic. I can't thank the Power family enough for trusting me with their vehicle, and everyone at 81 Speedway were perfect hosts. And to that 11-year-old who dared me to a drag race with our production minivan after the race - I'll be back next year to win it back, and it better be clean.

Don't forget to watch the episode - and next week's too at 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday. I'll be waiting.

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Tags: video lawrence america episodes nascar video nascar whichita kansas blog lawrence blog

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