Whether you are a fan of geography, are a daredevil who looks at massive mountains as a challenge, a nature lover, a fan of getting as far away from urban centers as possible or just love a bit of relief from driving through flat lands for hours on end, there is something to be said about the Rocky Mountains. From northern British Columbia to about mid-way through New Mexico, the Rockies stand as an imposing barrier to the western coast, tall and majestic. It is difficult to spend any amount of time in the region and not find yourself letting superlatives fly free as one looks around at the natural beauty that surrounds them. Even if you stay upon the main Interstates, the view of Pikes Peak growing in the distance when you're still miles away from Colorado Springs will inspire. And that's part of the draw of Rocky Mountain Race Week...the name isn't there just because. Racers will get a very up-close look at the massifs as they drive one of the most gorgeous drives you can find in the lower 48 states.

As the teams leave Pueblo, they head west on U.S. Highway 50 until they make a right at Penrose onto Colorado State Highway 115, which brings the racers north, behind Fort Carson and into the southwestern corner of Colorado Springs, where they will encounter Garden of the Gods, a stunning display of red rocks in an area that has been a park since 1909, when the family of Charles Elliot Perkins, the owner of the land at the time, donated the land to the city of Colorado Springs. From there they will head west through the historic Manitou Springs before connecting with U.S. Route 24 and climb up into the altitudes, where they will see gorgeous scenery, mountain streams, the occasional wildlife set in a background that nature documentary videographers dream of, and a quick stop off in South Park to admire the quiet little mountain town.

The final stop for Day Four is Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado. Nestled on a hogback formation just underneath the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre next to Mount Morrison on the southwest corner of the Denver metropolitan area, Bandimere's high altitude becomes an issue for just about any car that hits the track. Forced induction and nitrous-infused machines will see a small drop in their times, but nothing like the naturally-aspirated machines, which gasp in the thin air for all of the oxygen they can acquire.

Day Five will be another drive day, and the racers head back over the grasslands to Kearney, Nebraska for the next race!