A British Track Worker’s View of Talladega

Simon on a tour of Daytona a few years ago

(TALLADEGA, AL – OCT. 8, 2024 – RIS) Simon Lynch, a track flag marshal from Coventry England and his wife attended the race at Talladega on Sunday. They’re both long-time marshals at all forms of races, from F1 and Lemans to club events, and have attended NASCAR and NHRA races as well. Here are Simon’s comments on the Cup race at Talladega Sunday:

I've known of Talladega since I was a young boy of 12. I loved going to watch racing g at our local ¼-mile oval at Hednesford Hills. We had nothing bigger in the UK till Rockingham in the 2000's. They had memorabilia from USA covering NASCAR. 

I read about the tracks, how Daytona was built to get a proper racetrack and then Talladega, a little bigger a little faster.

Fast forward 40 years and I was stood on the Talladega pit road an hour before the Cup race, with goosebumps. We gathered up our pretzels, beer and race scanners and headed for our seats in the tower stand near pit in after crossing the track on the shallowest banking which was still noticeable.

We couldn't see most of the backstretch but had brilliant views of the rest of the track. I set my scanner to Michael McDowell’s car as he was on pole. Quick pinch to check I wasn't dreaming. and we were off! I could hear the strategy the No. 34 was following. The spotter was clear what was happening around them and where the driver should position their car. As the 1st stage was coming to a close, you could see the strategies working for some and not for others. 

Seeing the pack run 4 wide, an at least 10 deep was staggering, I thought 3 wide was impressive enough and to do it for long periods.

I switched to SVG's car on the scanner and you could hear him being helped more by the spotter to use his cooler fan, to watch the engine temp. I thought he might pull off a good result and show his natural ability. Witnessing the big one, actually the biggest one ever, was something to tell people 'we were there' but it spoilt the photo finish I desired. Overtime still delivered a great result. I will remember the day for a long, long time.

Simon

Simon Lynch

Long-time race flag marshal, working all over the globe on corners and in rescue trucks.

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Volume 2024, Issue 10, Posted 10:07 PM, 10.08.2024