We woke up today to the sounds of roaring engines .. what a GREAT alarm clock!

After getting in at about 1:30am, we got setup, had some dinner a couple of drinks and then dozed off. Today's events include practice for both the ARCA racing and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Race. Today should be a fun day and we have an excellent RV Camping Spot.

If there's one thing I love about Pocono, it's the trackside camping. You literally wake up to the sounds of stock cars going around the track at 200mph. No coffee needed — that adrenaline rush is better than any caffeine.

Our Trackside Setup

We've got the Sea Breeze parked with a perfect view. I watch most of the race from the top of the motorhome, set up with my 2-person chair, headset with scanner, digital camera, and a Dell XPS12 streaming the race feed. Oh, and snacks and a few Heineken's. 🍺

The scanner is key — you can listen to the team radio communications. I usually tune into the Joe Gibbs Racing frequency. Hearing the pit strategy calls in real-time makes the race SO much more interesting than just watching.

The Pocono Experience

Pocono Raceway is unique — it's a triangle-shaped track, so every turn is different. Turn 1 is banked, turn 2 is flat, and turn 3 is somewhere in between. It makes for interesting racing because setups that work in one corner don't necessarily work in the others.

The trackside camping atmosphere is incredible. Everyone's there for the same reason — we love racing. You meet people from all over the country, share stories, share food, and generally have an amazing time. It's a community that happens to form around a racetrack.

After Pocono, we're headed to Hickory Run State Park — about 30 minutes from the track. It's dog-friendly with great hiking trails, perfect for letting the Labs burn off some energy after being cooped up during race weekend.