An All-Star Rookie's Look Behind the Scenes at Richmond International Raceway

As a long time NASCAR fan, I've seen my fair share of races at my "home track," but on May 1-2, 2009, I had my first opportunity to take a look beyond the grandstands of Richmond International Raceway as a credentialed member of the media.

It was an experience that I will not soon forget.

Many thanks to Bleacher Report for helping to make this happen. Your support and encouragement does not go unnoticed.

Here is an up close and personal look behind the scenes at what goes on before the race begins.

Once you're in, you'll never want to come out!

Kara Martin, Unprofessional Photographer.

Beyond The Pit Walls

Through the looking glass.

The Inner Sanctum

A look at the Sprint Cup haulers lined up on the infield.

Setting Up Shop

How Pit Crews start their day.

Sprint Cup Garage Area

No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet and No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet.

Sprint Cup Garage Area

The No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet and No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Garage Area

The No. 88 Amp Energy Chevrolet.

Kurt Busch Garage Area

The No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge.

Kyle Busch Garage Area

The No. 18 M&M's Toyota.

Jeff Gordon Garage Area

No. 24, Dupont Cevrolet

Tony Stewart Garage Area

The No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet.

Michael Waltrip Garage Area

No. 55, Napa Toyota.

Casey Mears Chevrolet

The No. 07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet.

Tony Stewart Hauler

This was the only hauler that had a full service grill in front of it.

Inside Looking Out

A view from the infield looking out.

Stewart-Haas Racing

Stewart-Haas Racing equipment cover.

Pace Car

Chevrolet Camaro. Official pace car of the Crown Royal Presents The Russ Freeman 400.

Two are always better than one

Official Sprint Cup pace cars.

Stormy Skies

The skies over Richmond threatened to open all afternoon...

Rain Delay

...and eventually they did! Many thanks to Casey Mears' hauler for the shelter from the storm.

Team Shock Absorbers

There were tables and tables of these.

Tires!

There would be no racing without A LOT of spare Goodyear Eagles.

And More Tires.

Told you, can't have enough tires on race day!

Team Gas Can

A much smaller version of the ones they use on the track.

Water Barrels

Used at the entrance to pit row for safety.

Trucks

A line up of 18-wheelers used to haul the race cars.

Spare Racing Hood

We all have one of these just lying around, don't we?

Here Comes The Rain Again

Right before a second downpour.

Headed for Inspection

All cars are manually pushed to the inspection area.

Sprint Cup Inspection Entrance

Every car goes in...

Sprint Cup Inspection Exit

And eventually come out.
All cars must pass inspection before they can race.

Kevin Harvick Chevrolet

The No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet.

Heading to the Pits

Every race car is manually pushed to it's individual pit box.

No. 29 Team Pit Box

Home of Kevin Harvick's crew on race day.

No. 18 Team Pit Box

Home of Kyle Busch's crew.

Pit Row

A driver's view.

On the Track

Left Turns Only!

Turn Four

Last turn before the start-finish line.

Frontstretch Grandstand

The Commonwealth Tower.

Start/Finish Line

This is where the magic happens.

Victory Lane

The end result.