There isn’t quite anything like super speedway racing in all of professional sports.  The high speeds, the bumper to bumper racing, and of course “the big one,” all get fans excited for some of the most exciting racing of the season.  But fans aren’t the only ones that look forward to the races at Daytona and Talladega, the drivers themselves often look forward to these races when they see them marked on the schedule.

“What’s not to love about Talladega?  It’s some of the best racing all year,” said Casey Mears’ helmet as he climbed into the driver’s seat.  “I only hope I can manage to get caught up in the big one this time.”

Mears is alone when talking about his excitement for getting caught up in the trademark multiple car pileup that seems to highlight each race at a super speedway.

“The smoke, the flames, the car parts being strewn all over the place,” said Mears’ helmet.  “There’s nothing like the feeling of walking away from an undriveable piece of metal that you were just travelling 200 mph in.”

In the past, Mears has missed the big one and has instead settled for less than exciting one car accidents that take him out of contention for the win.

“There’s no fun in losing control of your car and spinning into the wall for an anticlimactic one car crash.  I’ve been there and done that,” explained Mears’ helmet.  “Fans barely get their butts out of their seat for those wrecks.  It’s a lonely ride to the infield care center after that.  But the big one, man, that’s something to be proud to be a part of.  The feeling you get when you and 10 to 15 other drivers all wreck in unison is really special both for drivers and the fans.”

 Mears’ sentiments toward the big one are unique among drivers.  In fact, many drivers on the Sprint Cup Series use the big one as a means to decry the use of the restrictor plates that keep the cars running too tightly in a pack and often lead to the multiple car accident known as the big one, but not Mears.

“How can you not look forward to the big one?” asks Mears helmet.  “It’s just about the only time a guy like me can make it on Sportscenter.  It’s either that or get into a dust up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. but how often does a guy get a chance to do that.  I barely get close enough to Dale to even ask for an autograph on a race weekend.”