I have been to the Brickyard twice. Once in 2005 and a couple years ago. One of the reasons I couldn't enjoy it as much as I did the first time was the heat. They used to have the race in August and pushed it back a few years ago and made the heat and humidity worse (I think). Another reason I don't like the race as much anymore is the teams. When I liked Nascar, there was single car teams and drivers. Now, if you don't have at least two cars, forget it. I liked watching Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, Rusty Wallace, D. Waltrip running. Other then the big names like Gordon and Stewart, I couldn't name more then five drivers. The only, and I mean only, Napcar race I want to see now is Bristol at night. You can see the whole track from your seat and the action is happening more then following the leader at IMS. The one memory that comes to mind from NASCAR is a few years ago at Bristol at night, is two drivers were battling for the lead and coming down to the final lap. One driver (I think Dale Sr.) tapped the lead T. Labonte. and bumps him around, but the leader still crossed the finish line, but sideways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH9sLnJL8NE