The whole buildup. The anticipation of the whole season ahead. Qualifying, etc. Being there, the best part was the sound of the first car to go out for practice, while sitting in the warm sunshine, after almost 4 months away from racing in cold New England. Feeling the 800 horsepower in the chest, and the smell of burnt racing gas. And the racing at the other tracks around. The parking lots filled with race teams working on their cars, etc.
For me, 3+ hour races don’t take a whole lot to get boring.
My favorite part as well. I love going to practice and qualifying, being in the pits and skipping the race.