Thousands of race fans gather in Indianapolis

Hundreds of thousands of race fans from across the nation converged on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday for the Allstate 400 NASCAR race. So what is all the rage? \nAlthough the exact number of American NASCAR fans is unknown, millions of men, women and children witness first-hand the spectacle of modern day Roman chariot racing in the most historic race coliseum in the world. \nNevermind the "Hill Billy" reputation NASCAR conjures during comedy specials and late-night talk shows, drivers act as modern day superheroes to hundreds of thousands of fans who travel hundreds to thousands of miles to watch stock car rocket ships roar across the Brickyard's majestic brick finish line. \n"Five or six year" Rusty Wallace fan Chris Gilbert, who is from Northeast Wisconsin, said he traveled from the cheese state to the Hoosier heartland in search of a Rusty autograph at best and a photograph of Rusty at worst. Although Gilbert was observed huddled next to Wallace's trailer in the Brickyard's garage area for more than one hour, he said he wouldn't allow himself to become disappointed if Rusty ducked out the side door to avoid fans before the race because he is drawn to his favorite driver's personality.\n"Stock car racing is just about the fun with friends. How could you go wrong? It's priceless," Gilbert said while grouping his gaggle of friends together at the hips. \nAllstate 400 festivities included an array of trackside vendors spread along the outside roads circling the two and a half mile IMS. Race fans perused NASCAR ware for sale from sunglasses to cigars within a plethora of vendor booths. Inside track attractions included vendor food, speedway shade and skipping families on their way to a traditional Southern Disneyland-like vacation. \nRace fans attending NASCAR events across the country, including the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, are allowed to bring in food to feed their family so their stock car getaway doesn't end up costing the price of a rural home mortgage. Vendor prices behind the speedway bleachers, similar to most American sports facilities, portrayed a $3 charge for a 16 ounce lemonade in a paper cup. For the price of an hour's working class wage -- $5 -- thirsty race fans slurped a 32 ounce lemonade from a plastic cup.\nBehind the NASCAR scene one company provides the nutritional fuel needed by drivers, crews, team owners, NASCAR officials, corporate others and more to perform their magic on race day. Unofficial "Grill Master" Ken Enck from North Carolina, serves more than two tons of food over six meals during race weekends to more than 2,500 people from 27 NASCAR teams.\n"I like the challenge of feeding so many people and we are like a big family. They know me by first name when they want to eat," he said underneath his company's personalized racing suits to advertise their much-appreciated corporate support from companies like Webber Grills, Swift Meat and Pilgrims Pride Chicken. "We serve food from the area, whether it's the East coast or tacos and fajitas on the West coast. In the Midwest we serve steaks, pork chops and \ntenderloins."\n"And he has the best salad in the world," NASCAR official Jamie inserted.\nEnck said four-time Brickyard 400 champion Jeff Gordon's pre-race meal included rice, chicken and lots of vegetables, while Rusty Wallace ordered a ham and cheese omelet. \nIndianapolis resident John Fort, who was spotted side by side with NASCAR fans for a photo opportunity, said he loves all forms of racing. He was costumed from head to toe in checkered flags -- from his checkered pattern boots, shorts and shirt to his authentic Indy 500 checkered racing helmet with accompanying goggles. \n"A lot of people say this is a crazy outfit. It gets a lot of laughs," Fort said. "People say 'you're the number one race fan I have seen.' If I can make some people laugh and have a good time, maybe they will come back to another race at the \nBrickyard."\nFort said he new visitors to the speedway can ask him questions about the race track or for information to help hopeful-race fans learn what's going on besides stock cars turning left for 160 laps. \n"The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a native of Indiana," he said while a collection of racing flags glued to his helmet flapped in the breeze.