IT CAN’T GET MORE SURREAL

Arriving at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 7:30 this morning was like entering another universe -- one without traffic, people who must have started their cookouts before dawn and an encounter with Austin Powers.

Even that early, sidewalks outside the speedway’s massive grandstands were filled with folks wearing colorful jackets and sweatshirts showing which NASCAR driver they’d be yelling for when the Shelby 427 begins at 1:30 p.m.

Young and old. Men and women. Boys and girls.

The sight of the Powers impersonator, however, was frightening. Almost as much as when I ran into the Flying Elvi gang yesterday.

Before I could feast on a mini-sweet roll in the speedway’s infield media center, there was an opportunity to take a couple laps around the 1.5-mile tri-oval with former NASCAR star Brett Bodine, who will be driving the pace car today.

Bodine, who owns one Cup title, was wheeling a new Shelby 427 Mustang. He wouldn’t let me drive because he sensed I would have high-tailed it for the exit and parked it in my garage.

Hitting 140 mph on the backstretch was a good wakeup call.

Flying into the first turn at 120 and drifting up the high banking still made it hard to imagine what it will be like later today when the Cup boys are doing about 180 at that point.

The most startling part of the trip was when Bodine dropped off the banking before the fourth turn to hit pit road. I was jostled to the left and right as the angled transition with a drop to pit road got my attention better than seeing some of the young women in shorts roaming around in the cool morning air.

We were only going about 100 mph as he quickly had to drop to pit road speed of 55.

I never understood how drivers spin when entering pit road or get penalized for speeding. I fully understand now.

During my two laps I thought of racing critics who challenge the athleticism of stock car drivers. To them I say, take a few laps in their seats.

Time to go back for another roll and coffee. I have to carbo load before the Shelby 427.

Talk to you in about an hour.