#MyBrickyard: Debbie Richardson, Rushville, Indiana

Note: The #MyBrickyard series features longtime ticket holders for the Brickyard 400, as they discuss what they enjoy about the NASCAR weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and why it has become an annual tradition for them. Some installments will feature first-person accounts; others will be in question-and-answer format.

Today’s third installment features Debbie Richardson of Rushville, Indiana, who has attended all 23 previous Brickyard 400 races with family and friends. This is Debbie’s account of why she loves the NASCAR weekend at IMS, which is July 21-23 this year for the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 and the Lilly Diabetes 250:

Q: Debbie, have you attended all 23 Brickyard 400s? If not, how many?

A: Yes, I have attended and had the same seats for all 23 races.

Q: Do you attend with the same group of family or friends every year?

A: We have 10 tickets, and the group has varied over the years. Some family and some friends.

Q: What do you love the most about your seat location?

A: Our seats are right on the Yard of Bricks, 16 rows up, and, by the start of the race, we are in the shade. We get to see the driver introductions, a lot of pit action, and the festivities after the race are right in front of us. Great seats!

Q: What do you love the most about NASCAR racing at the Brickyard?

A: It is close to home. The crowd and drivers are friendly.

Q: Why do you continue to be attracted to the race?

A: I like the drivers and the atmosphere of the Brickyard. Very down home and comfortable.

Q: Do you have any Race Day or race weekend rituals?

A: We always stop and get doughnuts on the way and park in the third turn, which is a long way from our seats. Then we usually walk around prior to the race, take our own food and usually stay and watch the winner kiss the bricks after the race.