A 42-year-old family reunion: Why NASCAR fans keep coming back to the Richmond Raceway

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Saturday night lights at Richmond Raceway are a spectacle for drivers, but for many fans, the real magic happens in the campgrounds.

For one southern Maryland couple, the sounds of laughter and friendly games are just as important as the roar of the engines. It's a tradition Calvin and Linda Wright have upheld for 42 years.

"It's pretty much a family reunion," Linda said. "Dinosaurs like us have been coming for all these years, and it's the only time we really get together."

Some friendships, as Linda explains, took a little time to build.

"On the other side of them is a guy named George. Took us a while to get a little bit used to George, but George turned out to be all right. And then on the other side of him is D. And so we've all kind of, you know, the more drinks you have, the friendlier you get."

Linda Wright

Others were brought into the fold and quickly became a part of the family, like Lynn and Todd Tarburton.

"Linda and Calvin invited us, a couple of years ago to join them down here for the races," Lynn shares. "So now we've become, like, family with them."

Linda emphasized that she appreciates the "old school" feel of a Saturday night race under the lights.

"More people are able to come in," Linda said. "They're able to bring their families because it gives you Sunday as a travel day."

While it’s no longer a twice-a-year gathering, one thing is for sure: the Wrights and their growing circle of friends are excited to be back in the heart of their home away from home.