CNN anchor impressed with NASCAR experience

CNN Headline News anchor Robin Meade had the chance to do a ride-along with TNT/NBC analyst Wally Dallenbach before Sunday's Sylvania 300. While she expected just a lap around the racetrack, what she got was an insider's look at the world of NASCAR. Here are her thoughts on the weekend:

CHECK IT OUT  If you're up early -- to read NASCAR.com or get ready for your busy day -- tune in to CNN Headline News for Robin Meade and the morning show weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET And yes! We talk sports -- in addition to national news, high tech news, weather, travel, and entertainment.

I'm so impressed with the level of interaction between the fans and the drivers. You'd expect, with just a few hours/minutes before race time, the drivers might be hunkered down, trying to get their game faces on. But instead, I saw many signing autographs, chatting with fans, and posing for pictures.

And even what seemed minutes before the words "start your engines" these fellas weren't waiting in the wings. They were taking part in pre-race driver introductions, so the fans could cheer at the mention of their names. I guess that's why so many fans feel such a personal connection with their favorite drivers. They seem so accessible.

For example, with just moments before the race, a number of the drivers were kind enough to invite us (Headline News Executive Producer Stephanie Minter, my husband Tim, myself, and others) into their big rigs which haul their racer and their backup car. Special thanks to the Dale Earnhardt Jr's crew. They were proud fellas, as they described the different equipment and their race-day routines.

Dale Jr's guys had just finished a big grill-cooked meal complete with lobster. Meanwhile, Kyle Petty invited us to drop by his rig. No lobster there. We walked in, just as Kyle was tossing into the microwave a bowl of canned tuna, topped off with tobasco and American cheese. Kyle struck me as a "real folks" kind of person, focused, even in those surroundings at Loudon.

We also had the priviledge to attend the driver's meeting. Apparently many of these folks get up early. As we walked in, Ward Burton yelled out, "Hey I watch you every morning!" In my opinion, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more down-to-earth and cool guy at NASCAR. (Am I biased because he watches our morning show?)

After the driver's meeting, Burton came up to us and answered all my questions about how he was feeling about the track, the weather, the race season, etc. According to Burton, he's an early riser -- up at 5:30 to get his workout done, and get his dose of news with us, at CNN Headline News morning show. (Thanks Ward!)

Preparing for the Wally Ride-along

So how does one brace oneself for flying down the track at unthinkable speeds with someone else at the controls?

I didn't want to come off as a complete newbie, so Ray Dalessio -- the sports anchor on our morning show at Headline News -- and myself headed out to the Atlanta Motor Speedway a week before the event in New Hampshire. He's a veteran student of the "Richard Petty Driving Experience". So with his advice, some nerve, and the need to look brave because our cameras were there, I took a few laps around the track at race speeds - as the passenger.

I know, not as daring as *driving* around the track. But hey, little tiny baby steps, OK?

Wally's World

I'm glad I had the Petty Driving Experience under my belt before I got to Loudon. When I showed up to ride with Wally Dallenbach, I told him I hoped he wouldn't be distracted by my questions and chattiness during the ride. Wally has had more than a few people in his car for this "celebrity ride-along" segment, so his reply to my statement that I'd be talking alot during the ride-along was simply, "That's what they all say".

Apparently, just the week before, David Spade allegedly got freaked out by the whole episode. And, I've learned, some others before him may not have talked enough to make it easy on the producers and editors to make the segment, what we call in biz, "good tv". And who wouldn't understand? Moving at 150 miles an hour and talking may not go hand in hand for most folks.

If you caught the "Wally's World" segment Sunday, you surely were impressed with Wally Dallenbach's driving. He's a skilled pro who can drive, talk, and put up with an annoying passenger (me) all at the same time.

I think he may have been surprised, though, that I dared him to drive faster, "show me what you got", and get the car up near the wall. (That's *near* the wall, and not closer!) But puh-lease don't be impressed with what appears to be my bravery.

Sure, I was fine during the ride. But when the ride-along stopped -- my stomach started.

Car-sickness.

The kind turns your face green and lasts all day. The kind that doesn't care if you wanted to go to Boston for some sight-seeing. The kind that gives you an exuse to ride in the front seat on the way back to the hotel.

The result

My mother saw the Wally's World segment on TNT that Sunday, and told me: "G-forces don't look good on you."

True, makeup can't hide the fact that gravity in the turns makes your mouth look momentarily lopsided. But that, and post-ride car-sickness, are small prices to pay for such a great opportunity.

I loved experiencing NASCAR where many people dream to: on the track, with a pro driver, during a race weekend. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Thanks, to Wally and the entire crew at TNT for the opportunity, and to the fans at NASCAR for their warm welcome.