Gallery: Mud and Souped-Up Machine Collide at the Swamp Buggy Races
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*The race drew thousands of fans. If I had a nickel for every man I saw sporting a Florida tattoo, I'd have enough money to buy a case of Natty Ice.*
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*The national anthem is followed by drivers throwing autographed Frisbees into the audience. Formula 1 should do that.*
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*The Swamp Buggy Queen Taylor Trew, center, and her court pose for photos with Swampy.*
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*The racing is real, and the competitors are serious. Races are held every November, January and March. As with NASCAR, drivers compete for points. The driver with the most points at the end of the three-race season wins.*
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*The buggies are part race car, part tractor and part speedboat. They're loud, powerful, fast and loud.*
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*Back in the day, prizes included turkeys and shotguns. Now there are trophies. And cash.*
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*The queen and her court cheer another competitor.*
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*The weirdest part of a sport with no shortage of weird is the celebratory mud bath. Here race winner (and points leader) Eddie Chesser takes a dip with the queen.*
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*"I've always wanted to be this," said Swamp Buggy Queen Taylor Trew, greeting her subjects. She's attended the races every year since she was 8.*
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*It isn't really a buggy, and it isn't really a swamp. But that doesn't mean Swamp Buggy Racing isn't awesome. Silly, but awesome.*
