KVD visits race weekend at Chicagoland

Bass fishing legend and avid NASCAR fan Kevin VanDam and his family soaked up the NASCAR experience at Chicagoland.

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Kevin VanDam began his race weekend at Chicagoland with a few practice casts in the fan-friendly Toyota PitPass area.
Kevin VanDam began his race weekend at Chicagoland with a few practice casts in the fan-friendly Toyota PitPass area.
KVD signs an autograph for Garett Guthrie, a race fan from Illinois who loves bass fishing, too.
KVD signs an autograph for Garett Guthrie, a race fan from Illinois who loves bass fishing, too.
B.A.S.S. Nation volunteers Mike Griffin, Brian Robbins and Jim Nelson were present to help with the casting area inside Toyota’s PitPass area.
B.A.S.S. Nation volunteers Mike Griffin, Brian Robbins and Jim Nelson were present to help with the casting area inside Toyota’s PitPass area.
Race fan and avid angler Brian Aschliman points to the tiny photo he found of himself on the bow of KVD’s boat that features the photos of thousands of fans.
Race fan and avid angler Brian Aschliman points to the tiny photo he found of himself on the bow of KVD’s boat that features the photos of thousands of fans.
Kevin graciously stopped on several occasions to have his photo taken with the cell phones of numerous fans.
Kevin graciously stopped on several occasions to have his photo taken with the cell phones of numerous fans.
VanDam spent time driving a Tundra over dirt piles and other impressive obstacles at the Toyota Drive Center adjacent to the racetrack.
VanDam spent time driving a Tundra over dirt piles and other impressive obstacles at the Toyota Drive Center adjacent to the racetrack.
VanDam has one of the cleanest Tundras on tour – but he rolled this one through a mud bath...
VanDam has one of the cleanest Tundras on tour – but he rolled this one through a mud bath…
...around a dirt pile topped by a Tacoma...
…around a dirt pile topped by a Tacoma…
...and, lastly, over a teeter-totter to complete the Toyota Drive Center course.
…and, lastly, over a teeter-totter to complete the Toyota Drive Center course.
KVD stops for a photo with his sons near a special edition SpongeBob Toyota Highlander that was on display.
KVD stops for a photo with his sons near a special edition SpongeBob Toyota Highlander that was on display.
Just prior to the race, the trio posed in front of the official pace truck – a 2014 Toyota Tundra.
Just prior to the race, the trio posed in front of the official pace truck – a 2014 Toyota Tundra.
KVD found himself surrounded by tires in the pits.
KVD found himself surrounded by tires in the pits.
He paused for a fast photo with the jackman for the No. 99 RAB Racing Toyota.
He paused for a fast photo with the jackman for the No. 99 RAB Racing Toyota.
Headsets allowed KVD to hear exactly what was going on during Saturday’s race.
Headsets allowed KVD to hear exactly what was going on during Saturday’s race.
KVD watches tire specialists for the No. 99 RAB Racing Toyota.
KVD watches tire specialists for the No. 99 RAB Racing Toyota.
After Saturday’s Nationwide race, Kevin and his sons, Jackson and Nicholas, united with long time friend and driver Ryan Newman to practice archery...
After Saturday’s Nationwide race, Kevin and his sons, Jackson and Nicholas, united with long time friend and driver Ryan Newman to practice archery…
…and a little fishing at the trackside pond.
…and a little fishing at the trackside pond.
Prior to Sunday’s Sprint Cup race, VanDam talked drop shot rigs and smallmouth with Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry.
Prior to Sunday’s Sprint Cup race, VanDam talked drop shot rigs and smallmouth with Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry.
He showed avid hunter Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 15 Peak Motor Oil Toyota Camry, a trail camera photo of a big whitetail on his cell phone.
He showed avid hunter Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 15 Peak Motor Oil Toyota Camry, a trail camera photo of a big whitetail on his cell phone.
<p>The VanDam family with Truex and Bowyer.</p>
The VanDam family with Truex and Bowyer.
Kevin jokes with Jason Shapiro, avid angler and Car Chief for the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry that won the rain-delayed race several hours after this photo was taken.
Kevin jokes with Jason Shapiro, avid angler and Car Chief for the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry that won the rain-delayed race several hours after this photo was taken.
A hard-core fan of NASCAR, Kevin took time to capture race action on his cell phone to preserve memories of a great weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
A hard-core fan of NASCAR, Kevin took time to capture race action on his cell phone to preserve memories of a great weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.