Pete Billington, 9, follows his mom, Kate, to the stands for his first ever NASCAR race, the Craftsman Truck Series Navy 250 at Naval Base Coronado.
He’s wearing a souvenir t-shirt – and will eventually add ear covers to squelch the roar of 650 horsepower engines.
They pause on a staircase for the national anthem. The Osprey flyover by Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron Fifty (VRM-50) “Sunhawks” officially kicks off the inaugural event.
The mother and son take seats with other Billington family members: dad, Ryan; 16-year-old daughter, Maren; and 15-year-old son, Tom.
“Excited because I get to see the race,” said Pete, his voice tremulous.
In unison with their younger brother, the Billington siblings shared Pete’s excitement.
As the grandstands filled Maren explained her interest in the pit stops, a designated crew that services a race car.
“How quick they’re able to do it is so impressive,” she said.
The family lives in the village and attends Coronado schools. Maren and Tom are both Coronado High School students, and Pete is an incoming fourth grader at Village Elementary.
Tom said he saw Jimmie Johnson, a NASCAR driver and team owner who has won seven Cup championships, on the mainstage before the race. “It was really cool being up close and seeing him in person.”
“We also are very excited to see No. 22,” added Maren. She was referring to Austin Varco, also from Coronado.
In the seconds that follow, groups of all ages whistle, cheer and applaud when Rear Adm. Rich Jarrett, commander of Navy Region Southwest, instructs drivers to start their engines.
Amid the sounds of revving, spectators stretch out their arms and point as their eyes survey the race track.
Pete joined rows of spectators, jumping up as trucks zoomed past, eyes wide and faces full of emotion.
Pete’s color commentary came out in one-word expressions: “Loud! Exciting! Cool!”
In the first few laps, Maren said she was rooting for No. 22. Tom was cheering on No. 34, or Layne Riggs, who was leading.
After 50 laps around the 3.4-mile circuit, No. 34 crossed the finish line in first place. Varco, a Coronado High graduate driving No. 22, finished in 17th place.
“We also don’t live too far from here so we can hear the cars zooming by,” said Maren.
