DOVER, Del. –  As enthusiasts, we typically find enjoyment in machines made of stamped steel. You know, ones that have four wheels, an engine and those sweet and stylish bodylines covered with a glossy coat of paint. There are countless niches that make our car community so special: Some folks enjoy feeling the bass-bumping from their massive sound systems while others love showing off their big custom wheels or other modifications they’ve added to their vehicle. Many attend local car shows and some try to win trophies. Others invest countless hours cleaning and polishing or spending lots of money to make their car stand out more than the next. Still others get their automotive fill scraping across the road in their low-riding cars or trucks, or are brave enough to race their car at full tilt around a parking-lot autocross course. They are all an important part of our hobby.

But then there’s racing. It's hard to deny there’s real appeal in heart-thumping acceleration and the ground shaking violence of an insanely powerful engine. Pair that with the deafening roar of 10,000 RPM through side-exit exhaust pipes, multiply that by some 40 times and throw in a purpose-built racetrack underneath it, all and you're in for a GREAT time. While some street cars can exemplify some of these traits, their owners surely don’t find themselves at Dover Motor Speedway swapping paint with the world’s best racing drivers at an average max speed of 180 miles per hour. Yes, zip-up your bright-colored fire suit and strap in, because we're talking NASCAR!

One weekend per year, the screaming engines in NASCAR take over as the official anthem of Dover, Delaware. Social events, parades and other celebrations fill the schedules for the locals and visitors alike across the Mid-Atlantic during Dover's NASCAR weekend. Growing up here in Dover, it was (and still is) always so exciting to hear the sounds of over 36,000 total horsepower preaching the good word of speed and freedom only 1.6 miles from our homes. Having already been to 20-plus races between the two of us at Dover Motor Speedway, this year we were asked by Ford Performance to do something different. Armed with Ford Media credentials, our best cameras and some Ford Performance photo-taking expertise, our mission was to capture the NASCAR race experience in photos – including behind-the-scenes action on pit road, in the garages and track infield that isn't typically seen by those attending a NASCAR weekend as fans in the grandstands. 

We may be young photographers among the seasoned veterans who cover professional racing, but we know and appreciate the fact that Ford has been involved in racing for over 120 years. In 1901, Henry Ford built his first race-car and called it “Sweepstakes.” He built Sweepstakes and challenged Alexander Winton (who was regarded as the best car builder and racer during that time) to a race. The gentlemen ran a 10-lap race just outside of Detroit and in spite of all odds, Henry Ford won! Jump ahead a full century and Ford’s racing pedigree lives on in many forms, with NASCAR one of the biggest.

The race-car haulers arrived at the track in Dover on Thursday night to get settled into place and the racing started on Friday with the ARCA Menards Series East 125 mile race. This amateur- level race had a few fits of drama in the form of spins and wrecks for sure, but being Ford enthusiasts we’re pleased to report that the only Ford race car in the entire pack won the race against a field of Chevrolets and Toyotas. The Fan Zone and track attendance grew each day as we drew closer to the big race on Sunday. Besides the racing there were so many other things for fans, families and even the kids to do at the track -- including meeting some of the drivers after their interviews at the Ford Performance NASCAR booth, watching and listening to live music provided by Delaware local Jimmie Allen, visiting multiple driver merchandise haulers, plus monster truck rides, giveaways at the Miles the Monster statue and checking out all the booths within the Fan Zone, just to name a few.

Dover Motor Speedway also allows fans to purchase pre-race pit passes and or pre-race track-access tickets. These passes allow fans to get closer to the action before the racing starts and can make for some memorable moments, like being able to sign the front stretch wall or the start/finish line, which can be done before meeting some of the NASCAR drivers. They can also get driver autographs, talk to the drivers and some of their team members, and watch the race cars get pushed by the teams out onto pit road.

Saturday's race flew by without any interruption -- but Sunday's race was postponed until Monday due to inclement weather. In past years when we’d attend races at Dover that got rained out, you’d see far fewer fans attending on a Monday, but not this time. It seemed like there were more fans there on Monday than for the typical Sunday race! As Ford enthusiasts, it’s amazing to see the new “Next Gen” race car fire-up and race around the track. These cars seemed both faster and louder, and just look more like the actual street cars – which helps more fans relate to them. Although a Ford didn’t finish first at Dover this time out, even the winning driver noted that he hasn’t seen the stands this packed for years -- especially on a rain date.

Take a look at our photos below and see if it helps you understand just how cool it is to attend a NASCAR race in person – because racing is something enthusiasts need to experience to appreciate. And of course it’s always best when a Ford is in the Victory Circle!

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY SEAN DEVINE & JOE DELADVITCH