Semi Interested

Thursday afternoon, the NASCAR haulers were parked along 

Main Street in Speedway, a display of polished chrome,

corporate graphics and pure power. They were so closely parked

that the reflection of one bounced off the flank of its partner,

creating unintended, shimmering images.

 Most people came to see the trucks that hauled their favorite driver's cars,

while children came to see all the big trucks, and some little big boys,

accompanied by their equally enthralled fathers sons, 

came to check out the engines that power these gorgeous beasts.

The Caterpillar engine belongs to a red semi tractor that served 

as the flag bearer for the parade. The lug nuts on its wheels

are matched by some of the same on the engine. Damn.

Work-a-day truck it is not, though it definitely earns its living as a

rolling corporate showpiece, as do all the others.

Most of the extra bits used to customize the vehicles 

I've seen sold in the larger truck stops and supply stores, making

the grids and lights available to any man with the interest

and money to outfit his rig in similar fashion. A lot of the

auxiliary lighting, hidden away in nooks and crannies of vents

and arrayed over the edges of the trailers, is to make the

vehicle more visible at night.

I'd say there's virtually no excuse for ever saying 

"I didn't see it coming," nor for not

hearing its horns.

All the Pretty Colors

People started to come early afternoon to settle in a shaded 

spot on Main Street to see the annual parade of

NASCAR haulers. Displays were set up to show various

organizations' offerings; there was a stage with a country band

as well as a company offering cremation services for pets.

And then one could hear the sirens as the police and fire department

 escorts led the contingent of 50-odd semis up Main Street where the trucks

parked two abreast and nose to tail so admirers of all shapes and ages

 could walk among them to visit and take pictures for their 

scrap books and their friends.

There were so many nice pictures to take and I probably missed 

two-thirds of them. I get so enthralled by the beautiful

graphics, bright colors and polished chrome, I forget other

things. A local car club brought their street rods, made up primarily

of late 1940's Fords, it seems, so I was reminded of a 50's

era used car lot. The Dallara factory has just opened

across the street, with an interactive display showing the 

construction processes of their racing cars, and another company

was offering rides around Speedway in either an 

Indy two-seater or NASCAR automobile. 

Of course, more pictures to come.