"Yeah, they're from Texas, but they're OK,” Estep, a Hobart native, said of his recently vanquished opponents. "Me and my brother-in-law, we took 'em out.”
NASCAR fans bear as much attachment to their favorite drivers as any fan to any team. But within the confines of the racetrack infield, outside rivalries become blurred.
Rivalries between Oklahomans and Texans or Sooners and Cowboys are forgotten, at least long enough for a couple of races and a few rounds of beanbag toss, or Tailgate Washers or whatever the game is.
Inside the oval of "The Great American Speedway,” everybody gets along.
"Everybody has a great time, a real enjoyable time here,” Estep said. "It's a fun place.”
Dr. Kenneth Roland, a Stillwater native who now lives in Onalaska, Texas, has traveled all over the country for races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, among others. But he says the camaraderie among infielders at Texas is unmatched.
"The infield at Daytona, it's way too big,” he said. "You don't get to meet anybody.
"Down here, I come in on Wednesday and leave on Monday, that's how I've done it since I first started coming here in 1998. I've known my neighbors here ever since. We only see each other twice a year, but we stay in touch all year, looking forward to this week.”
Rob Speight, a military man who lives in Shawnee, said: "We come back together, and it's like a big reunion. I go to Kansas every year, and there's a lot of friendly people there, but not like it is here. Fans at Kansas, a lot more come down from up north. Down here, it's southern hospitality, Texas hospitality.
"It's as good as it gets, at least until we get a track in Oklahoma.”
The atmosphere on the infield is two-sided — something for everyone, you might say.
Many infielders talk about the fun family atmosphere during the day, where a father can take his son to the top of a viewing deck and watch the cars zip around the track.
Then there's the nighttime scene that some say would rival Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
"It's people partying in the streets, dancing in the streets on Friday and Saturday night,” Roland said. "As long as the weather cooperates, it's like Mardi Gras.”
It's enough to keep everyone happy, regardless of outside affiliations.
Estep traveled to Texas Motor Speedway with a group of 11 — 10 Sooner fans and one Cowboy.
"We don't like OSU,” Estep said with certainty. "He's just a close friend, or we wouldn't let him come. We can come together for a weekend of NASCAR, but that's it.
"After that, we're done.”
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Stillwater native Dr. Kenneth Roland, left, and Rob Speight of Shawnee enjoyed the sights and sounds during NASCAR qualifying on Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. By MATT STRASEN, THE OKLAHOMAN
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