Start Your Engines
Posted May 20, 2007, 8:07 PM ET

With Memorial Day fast approaching, it's time to rev up the horsepower and get ready for a weekend of speed.

The races at Indy and Charlotte will be front and center this week, and there is sure to be a great storyline from one, if not both tracks.

I had the pleasure of attending both races on the same day a few years ago, and it is still one of my all-time favorite road trips. Having grown up in the Carolinas, heading over to Lowe's Motor Speedway for a race is still a thrill. But I've got to admit, checking out my first Indy 500 was spectacular. I highly suggest it to any race fan who has never attended either venue.

I grew up in NASCAR country, but those open wheel rocket ships absolutely fly....both races offer plenty to the race fan, regardless of your racing preference. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was breathtaking....not only because of its size, but the entire spectacle of the Indy 500, and the museum in the infield was worth the trip.

I just found out that I'm going to get the opportunity to not only meet Mario Andretti, but also ride along with him in an open wheel car when he visits Charlotte next month. I'm sure that will be a thrill of a lifetime. I'll give you the play-by-play of that experience in June.

I'm looking forward to Sunday and I hope the weather geeks give us a glorious day to experience both races. I couldn't help but notice that while the NASCAR world watches the latest saga of Dale, Jr. unfold, the folks at Indy have three women in the field of 33. Danica Patrick is certainly well-known, but this year, fellow sweethearts Sarah Fisher and rookie Milka Duno have joined the starting mix.

While that's a nice story, it only becomes newsworthy if one of them can actually win a race, much less "The Race"....what a concept. Danica has become the cover-girl...err, -person for Indy racing, and that in itself is part of the problem. The sport, any sport, should be headlined by the driver who actually finds Victory Lane every once in a while. She still needs directions. Maybe her car owner can put one of those fancy navigation systems in her ride to help her out.

While Indy awaits, the boys in NASCAR don't have to fret over some "babe" leading the way. The circuit is loaded with great drivers who have proven their worth and talent on the track. The biggest similarity between the two racing leagues is that while Indy has Danica, NASCAR has Dale, Jr. There is no question that Dale, Jr. is the most popular driver in the sport, but he has never won a Cup title, and his appearances in the winner's circle are too infrequent. Unlike Danica, Junior has won before, but both sports have similar issues when it comes to the best drivers demanding the most airtime and face-time in the media.

The race in Charlotte is 600 miles and a marathon for not only the drivers, but also the fans. You've really got to pace yourself, no pun intended. I always laugh at people who call into my radio show and claim that racing isn't a sport and the drivers aren't athletes....you've got to be kidding. Anybody who has driven a stock car knows better, and if you've ever witnessed the speed in person at either Indy or Charlotte, then you know that what these drivers do for a living is no easy task.

Plus, when you look at the hundreds of thousands of people who will jam Indy and Charlotte not only on race day, but for all the festivities leading up to Sunday, you realize what a big deal both the 500 and 600 are to their respective race fans. And when it comes to loyalty, forget it...you can't beat a racing fan.

So, as the race weekend approaches, strap in for an awesome show....Indy and Charlotte have that in common, too. And, who knows...maybe Danica and Junior will give us something to talk about next Monday?