If you have ever visited a track on the West Coast, chances are you have met Toby Appleton and the Beer Belly NASCAR Crew. Toby isn't just the biggest Kurt Busch fan I know, he is also the only Kurt Busch fan I know. Last weekend, Toby got the chance to do what most of us can only dream of, he got to give the command to start the engines at Sonoma Raceway. I caught up with Toby last week and asked him a few questions for this installment of Ask The Fan. cvcv
TheNASCARTER: First I gotta ask you, what and when did the BBNC start and how did you come up with the name?
Toby: Beer Belly Nascar Crew started in October 2009. My best friend, Josh, and I were planning our trip to PIR that next month. We wanted to come up with "the best tailgating experience" while at NASCAR. We had been to several races together, but felt our "crew" needed an identity. The name came along cause it was catchy and stuck to our southern roots and my favorite driver then drove for Miller Lite so we had all kinds of ML gear posted in our campsite. We took the idea to a banner/sign design shop and the graphic artist out together our logo. Josh started the fan page and we were off and running.
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| The BBNC tailgating at PIR earlier this year. Toby is wearing the cowboy hat. (Photo Credit: BBNCs facebook page) |
The ultimate tailgate experience? How does the BBNC tailgate?
Each year, the party in the campground gets bigger and bigger. We've had live bands and always have karaoke. The food brings a lot of people back every year. Thursdays are Beer and Brats, we even developed our signature burger The Beer Belly Burger that we have Friday night, Saturdays are Beer and BBQ with ribs, brisket, chicken and sausage and Sunday is Cervesa and Fajitas. All we ask is donations for food to help with the cost, but it isn't done for the money. It's done because we love the atmosphere in the campgrounds and everyone having a good time. We usually entertain somewhere around 200 people at the campground each race!
I can't wait to try that food this November, it sounds like you got everything covered... You were Co- Grand Marshal this past weekend, besides Kurt Busch, who was the coolest driver you got to meet?
I have met numerous drivers over the years. Being in the garages a few times and especially this past weekend, I have managed to put myself in the right place at the right time to come face to face with a lot of drivers. The thing I really notice is the difference they show live in person vs on TV in front of cameras. I really like the guys that show a real, genuine appreciation for their job and the fans. Kevin Harvick stands out in my mind on the "bad" side of this spectrum. While the camera was on he was joking and smiling, but as soon as the TV crew was finished he was rude and did not even acknowledge any of us around him. The "good" end of the spectrum, that driver who stood out was Ryan Newman. He had to literally be pulled away from us by his PR (who at the time was his wife Krissie). Kurt and Kyle are cool, Kenny Wallace, Schrader, Jeff and Jimmy, Michael Waltrip, Justin Allgaier, BK, Hornaday all come to mind as being good guys off camera. Robby Gordon is a race fan just like us. Rusty Wallace is cool now that he is retired. He wasn't much fun when he was driving, but is still my all time favorite. The coolest guy I met this past weekend was Marcos Ambrose.
Wow, that's a hell of a list. Out of all the races you have atended, which race or race weekend stands out to you the most?
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| Toby and Tony LaRussa giving the command at Sonoma Raceway. (Credit photo: BBNC facebook page) |
That's a tricky question because every race weekend is awesome. My first race at Texas was cool because my dad and I inadvertently entered the track through the employee entrance. Ignorance is bliss sometimes. The lady at the gate didn't say anything and we just walked right in. We got inside the main grandstand and were the only 2 people there!
But I would say the one that stands out the most would have to be this last weekend at Sonoma. Being right in front of the Speed stage on Raceday and talking with DW and Jeff Hammond about the Command to Start Engines. Then the Toyota guys escorted us to the track to the truck we would be in for driver parade lap. Since Marcos Ambrose had the pole, it took him awhile to take all the pictures on stage so we were way behind the truck in front of us. He was yelling in the window to us to "Hurry up mate, speed this truck up and catch that other one. Don't be scared your tires will hold and so will we!" Then as soon as we were done Ambrose and I got out together in the middle of a mass of humanity, all cheering and yelling. It was surreal.
But I would say the one that stands out the most would have to be this last weekend at Sonoma. Being right in front of the Speed stage on Raceday and talking with DW and Jeff Hammond about the Command to Start Engines. Then the Toyota guys escorted us to the track to the truck we would be in for driver parade lap. Since Marcos Ambrose had the pole, it took him awhile to take all the pictures on stage so we were way behind the truck in front of us. He was yelling in the window to us to "Hurry up mate, speed this truck up and catch that other one. Don't be scared your tires will hold and so will we!" Then as soon as we were done Ambrose and I got out together in the middle of a mass of humanity, all cheering and yelling. It was surreal.
The Toyota guys took me over to the stage and hanging out with Tony LaRussa right at the base of the Nascar stage. The Color Guard was literally in arms length of me. LaRussa leaned over and said he was "more nervous now than three World Series wins" and asked how I was staying so cool. For just a minute him and I were equal, on the same playing field and he was asking me for advice how to give the command. We stood and talked for about 30 minutes. We then were escorted to the base of the starters stand and once again were surrounded by mobs of media.
Once the command was given, we walked back across the track and watched the first 10 laps from a golf cart right inside the frontstretch wall, literally 5 ft from the cars as they went by! Absolutely unbelievable.
Once the command was given, we walked back across the track and watched the first 10 laps from a golf cart right inside the frontstretch wall, literally 5 ft from the cars as they went by! Absolutely unbelievable.
That just gave me goosebumps, but I do have to hand it to the staff at Texas. Back in 2007, we got in the infield by showing them our wrist watch when they asked for a wristband, then their fan mascot, Hot Rod, snuck us in past the cops. Anyways, what do think about the current race product?
Dave Moody once was asked "did fans complain about racing back in the day?" Dave replied "yes, we just didn't have social media!". In my opinion it is a direct product of the talent and the equipment these guys (and girls) race with. I'll explain, these drivers have gotten so good at what they do and are able to wheel the car better than ever. That part of it is no different than the MLB, NBA, and NFL producing bigger, stronger, faster more athletic players. It is purely a product if the times. The cars themselves have been so fine tuned by NASCAR rules and then the individual teams that they will usually perform exactly as expected. I will tell you this, before we start tearing up and repaving tracks because the race is "boring", a good hard look should be taken at the tires Goodyear is bringing to the track. I think that's the "weak link" and the variable that is causing the racing we see today. If 43 of the best drivers in the world can't pass because of grip, of course they are gonna get in line and ride around. The cars are too expensive and the point system has made it so close that these drivers can't afford to DNF.
However, I will say this about that, I would still rather see a hard raced, 2/3/&4 wide racing that goes caution free than to see a wreck fest. You and I could go strap in those race cars and wreck 'em...I wanna see these drivers do something incredible, that I can't do!
However, I will say this about that, I would still rather see a hard raced, 2/3/&4 wide racing that goes caution free than to see a wreck fest. You and I could go strap in those race cars and wreck 'em...I wanna see these drivers do something incredible, that I can't do!
NASCAR returns to Kentucky Speedway this weekend and we all remember the lack of parking last year that led to many fans being turned away and some not being able to get to the track until the race was almost over. Your track GM, Mark Simendinger, what do you say to get the angry fans back at the track?
(Chuckles) I have no idea!! That was a pretty big gaggle they had there last year. Bruton said he made the changes, and I guess we will all find out. Honestly though, every track has congestion issues on Raceday both in and out. My advice is bring your RV and leave on Monday!!
Can't argue with that logic, last question.... I'm gonna be at PIR in November, any chance we can sing Taylor Swift together?
Well hopefully you camp out with us!! It's a good time!! As for singing Taylor Swift, probably depends on how much Jack Daniels is consumed at the campsite!!!
For more information about Toby and the Beer Belly NASCAR Crew, you can "like" their facebook page at facebook.com/beerbellynascarcrew and for you ladies out there, Toby's wife has started Boobaliscious Women of NASCAR and they to have a facebook page. Also, if you are heading to the Phoenix International Raceway this November, be sure to stop by and say howdy.
