Anyone ever been to a Nascar event?

halosfan

I took the lil ones to a local event where the drivers had their cars on display the other day and won two tickets to the race this weekend. What should we expect when we go?

SDSportsFan

It will be LOUD; you'll definitely want earplugs!!!!! I went to the Texas 500 in April 2006, sat about 20 rows up between Turn 4 and the start/finish line, and could NOT believe how loud it was!!!!! You'll also want to take binoculars with you, so you can see the cars "up close" when they're on the opposite side/end of the track.

Having said that, it was a lot of fun, and I recommend going to at least one race in your life if you're any kind of NASCAR fan!!!!!



Steve

SoFLPhillyFan

I have been to Daytona twice and before moving to FL used to hit one race at Dover every year.

Agree wholeheartedly on the earplugs, especially for the kids. It will be loud. You may also want to consider renting one of the Racing Radios that they offer at the track. This gives you the chance to listen in to the drivers during the race.

Get there early enough to walk through the assortment of merchandise trailers. Every driver has one. Even if you don't know the drivers the kids may still like a hat from the track or with the race name on it.

The whole atmosphere is nice. A lot of people become NASCAR fans after attending a race. TV just doesn't give you the complete picture.

Enjoy yourself!

lawnmowerman

VERY LOUD as the other posters mentioned. I went to a race when I was about 12, I believe it was the Daytona Firecracker 400 (I think that was the name). Anyway, I remember wanting to leave because I thought my head was gonna explode.

Michigan

No NASCAR events for me, I can't afford to expose my ears to loud sounds over a long period of time.

BobaFett72

i would suggest earplugs. Not been to a nascar event, but to the local speedway when I was a youngster. Definitely had no desire to ever return. Boring and loud.

Bunker

My wife and I attend an average of 2 races per year and we have as much fun tailgating and people watching as we do watching the race. Last year for the first time, we went to Martinsville and stayed in the campground for the weekend and had a blast.

Race traffic is almost always a nightmare. Make sure you take that into consideration when heading out. If you want some tips or advice send me a pm

WeekendHacker

I like the way you worded that............... "Nascar Event" vice 'Sport.' In order to be a classified as a sport - shouldn't there be a final score?

Michigan

<< <i>No NASCAR events for me, I can't afford to expose my ears to loud sounds over a long period of time. >>




I won't risk my hearing even with earplugs, most of them are not that effective.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>

<< <i>No NASCAR events for me, I can't afford to expose my ears to loud sounds over a long period of time. >>




I won't risk my hearing even with earplugs, most of them are not that effective. >>



This is true. I tried earplugs once. With the work I do (grounds maintenance) they just dont cut it.

What you would actually need is a set of Peltor or similar hearing protectors. You wear them like a set of headphones.

I wouldnt work without them anymore.

mkg809

I live in Bristol, so I usually go to the 2 races at BMS. Going to Talledega in October. Also been to Darlington and Charlotte. NASCAR is getting so big now that it's a real hassle to go.
In the late 1980s I would go to the ticket office here in Bristol a few days before the race and get a ticket. Not anymore!

MantleMarisFordBerra

I live in Fl & have been able to get out to the Daytona speedway a few times......will echo the noise factor , and add something else- sweaters. I don't know where you live but you may be surprised at how windy it gets and as you can imagine the sweaters the drivers sell aren't what I consider "cost effective".

mercurynut

I have been to Louden twice because my buddy is a big Nascar fan. I have never been so bored in all my life as these 2 trips to see them turn left and make a lot of noise. If it were not for a couple of chicks flashing it wold have been a total waist of my time.

SoFLPhillyFan

<< <i>I live in Bristol, so I usually go to the 2 races at BMS. Going to Talledega in October. Also been to Darlington and Charlotte. NASCAR is getting so big now that it's a real hassle to go.
In the late 1980s I would go to the ticket office here in Bristol a few days before the race and get a ticket. Not anymore! >>




My next two stops on the NASCAR circuit, Bristol and Talladega.

Only NASCAR could support 160,000 (yes 160K) seats around a half mile track. Like the friggin' Roman Coliseum of racing. Sold out year after year.

kcballboy

I went to the night race at Bristol a couple years ago. When they did the fly by, the jets turned up directly over the track and went full thrust straight up into the air. 4 jet engines blasting full throttle and pointing down into a giant bowl. The shock waves were nuts.

yankeeno7

I have never gone to nascar but went to an F1 race in Montreal and the experience sounds similar. VERY loud. But it was sooooooo boring. Here they come........there they go.....now wait another 2-3 minutes.....here they come.....there they go..... there is no way to actually enjoy a race unless you are watching it on tv. Unless you have pit seats, you dont get to watch them pit.

Isnt the only real reason to attend these events is to tailgate and for many, go camping? I can see that being fun. Heck, I have even seen people at the tracks watching the race on television. So they like the surroundings...but not enjoying watching the race live. I believe there are only a couple of tracks where you can actually watch the entire race and know what is going on.

Forget about Poconos or Watkins-Glen, NY. Just from what I have seen on tv, would be a waste of time and money going.

kcballboy

Yeah there are some tracks that are absolutey terrible to go to see a race. I went to Indy to see NASCAR a couple years ago; horrible. The worst I have ever been to. We had seats in the middle of turns 1 and 2. You watch the field go by for 10 seconds, then you start watching the jumbotron for 45 seconds until they come back around. Add that into the cramped seats and the middle of August heat, and you have one completely unenjoyable day. The only thing I got out of that trip was the ability to say I have been to Indy.

That being said, the tracks under a mile and a half aren't bad. You can still see the whole track no matter where you are.

Short track night racing is the best. The tracks are small so you can see everything going on, and being at night helps eliminate the miserableness of the heat.

And yes, the biggest part of the race for me is the time leading up to it. What other sporting event can you get to 3 days early and not run out of stuff to do? It's a very relaxed atmosphere and the people (while not quite my crowd) are some of the nicest you will meet.

rube26105

yes, i d rather watch it on tv, much better at home if u ask me,lots of noiseand burnin, rubber andsmoke and fire and car wrecks!!!and thats just for starters!its fun though, just would nt want to do it all the time-too loud!!
randy