Best Nascar Fan Experience

[jmac1980]

Hello,

My FIL and I wanting to plan a trip to a Nascar event. We have never been to a Nascar event and honestly, have limited knowledge of the sport but looking to become more engaged fans. We are open to any of the remaining races this season or into next season as well. Is there a particular event that you all would recommend for a first time fan experience? We live in Texas but travel is not a limiting barrier as we are open to flying to wherever location is best. We will likely buy a travel package as well. Please let me know if you can recommend any options for this as well but as of now, we would just purchase from the link shown in the Nascar schedule of races. Is it best to buy tickets close to the "pit" or higher up? Also, I would prefer not to totally melt so would prefer a race with cooler weather.

Looking at the remaining schedule, I think Bristol Bass Pro Shops (although this seems like it would be too hot in September), Charlotte and Talledega all seem like good options but wanted to get better feedback from the experts . As mentioned, we are also open to waiting until next year if that makes more sense.

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

 

[hmmm298]

I haven’t been to many others to compare but Bristol is definitely worth it, and I’ve heard lots of others recommend it as well for a first time race.

I’ve never been near the pits etc much, we usually had seats inside the suites and grandstand seats in case we felt like going outside and feeling/hearing the thunder during the race etc.

 

[HoneyBadger]

To me, Martinsville is the best fan experience. There isn't a bad seat in the house, you get a full 3-4 hours of racing, hot dogs are just $2, victory lane is right on the frontstretch in front of the fans, and you're right on top of the action. Some of the Martinsville races I've gone to, fans were allowed on the frontstretch during driver intros as well.

 

[Speedbowl14]

Hello,

My FIL and I wanting to plan a trip to a Nascar event. We have never been to a Nascar event and honestly, have limited knowledge of the sport but looking to become more engaged fans. We are open to any of the remaining races this season or into next season as well. Is there a particular event that you all would recommend for a first time fan experience? We live in Texas but travel is not a limiting barrier as we are open to flying to wherever location is best. We will likely buy a travel package as well. Please let me know if you can recommend any options for this as well but as of now, we would just purchase from the link shown in the Nascar schedule of races. Is it best to buy tickets close to the "pit" or higher up? Also, I would prefer not to totally melt so would prefer a race with cooler weather.

Looking at the remaining schedule, I think Bristol Bass Pro Shops (although this seems like it would be too hot in September), Charlotte and Talledega all seem like good options but wanted to get better feedback from the experts . As mentioned, we are also open to waiting until next year if that makes more sense.

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

You are on the right track with Bristol. That is a fantastic event to attend. The racing quality in the Cup series isn't great there right now, but I believe it is still worth attending for the experience. It is a high banked short track and any seat above row 10 is a great seat. At any other NASCAR track you want to be as high up as possible for the best sightlines.

 

[antman12]

Seems like you are looking only for the remainder of the year, but Ill add Atlanta spring race into the mix. Great racing, likely good weather, nice facility and traffic wasnt bad getting in or out.

 

[pjmolo]

To me, Martinsville is the best fan experience. There isn't a bad seat in the house, you get a full 3-4 hours of racing, hot dogs are just $2, victory lane is right on the frontstretch in front of the fans, and you're right on top of the action. Some of the Martinsville races I've gone to, fans were allowed on the frontstretch during driver intros as well.

Either Bristol or Martinsville would be my preference but I have to agree with @HoneyBadger on this one in spite of the hot dog recommendation.

Also, due to Martinsville being held six weeks later than Bristol it's likely to be a bit cooler.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Welcome, @jmac1980 !

To me, Martinsville is the best fan experience. There isn't a bad seat in the house, you get a full 3-4 hours of racing, hot dogs are just $2, victory lane is right on the frontstretch in front of the fans, and you're right on top of the action. Some of the Martinsville races I've gone to, fans were allowed on the frontstretch during driver intros as well.

I'm going to toss in another vote for Martinsville. The tickets are reasonably priced compared to other tracks. Since it's a short track (half a mile), it's easy for new fans to see what's going on. It's in early October, so the weather in southern VA is usually cool enough for a jacket.

You may also consider Las Vegas or Charlotte. A lot of us would usually recommend Darlington but you definitely don't want to be there if you don't want to sweat buckets.

Is it best to buy tickets close to the "pit" or higher up?

Unlike other sports, the best seats for motorsports are the higher ones. You can see more of the track than the lower seats. At Martinsville, most of us here prefer to sit in the first turn. Personally, I think sitting on the start/finish line is overrated; you usually get better views in the first or fourth turns. At most tracks, the view from the first turn seats will allow you to see a lot of pit action and see which drivers get out of the pits first.

I usually buy my tickets directly from the track. Use their online seating map to see what's open but call them directly to ask about discounts for military, student, first responder, etc. Be aware that it's a bit late in the season to be looking for tickets. Whatever you decide, start trying to get your tickets as soon as possible. You'll most likely be able to get tickets but what's left may not be the best seats in the house.

Let us know if have more questions, and what race you decide on!

 

[DIDIT]

Bristol is a good option, just be prepared for rain and/or a rain delay requiring additional stay over time. At most any of the tracks you could be dealing with heat or freezing cold. It's really tough to book a race in advance and be safe from a weather perspective.
With the schedule not published for next year it's tough to say at this point. Tracks I would avoid would be any road course, Talledaga, Pocono, Michigan, Loudon and the Daytona summer race. Tracks high on my list would be Atlanta, Darlington, Martinsville, Homestead, Iowa, Charlotte and Bristol.
As a fan attending the race and wanting to see constant on track action in my opinion the top two would be Atlanta and Darlington.

 

[Hotrod]

Im a Dega guy , but where ever you go, go
down and visit the front row next to the fence
preferably during a restart just to experience
the power of all those cars together. Headphones,
binocs, radio with ear plugs a plus.

 

[Efisher131]

Bristol night race is an absolute must do. Also, Darlington for the Southern 500. You can feel the history in the air at that place and it’s always jam packed and usually a good race.

 

[Magicmiler]

Bristol night race for the experience. Cooler at night, and Waffle House afterwards is always a fun spectacle with the enhanced customers. See my avatar..

 

[Conover]

Hello,

My FIL and I wanting to plan a trip to a Nascar event. We have never been to a Nascar event and honestly, have limited knowledge of the sport but looking to become more engaged fans. We are open to any of the remaining races this season or into next season as well. Is there a particular event that you all would recommend for a first time fan experience? We live in Texas but travel is not a limiting barrier as we are open to flying to wherever location is best. We will likely buy a travel package as well. Please let me know if you can recommend any options for this as well but as of now, we would just purchase from the link shown in the Nascar schedule of races. Is it best to buy tickets close to the "pit" or higher up? Also, I would prefer not to totally melt so would prefer a race with cooler weather.

Looking at the remaining schedule, I think Bristol Bass Pro Shops (although this seems like it would be too hot in September), Charlotte and Talledega all seem like good options but wanted to get better feedback from the experts . As mentioned, we are also open to waiting until next year if that makes more sense.

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

A big welcome to you @jmac1980! You’re getting lots of good suggestions. I will focus on the remaining stretch of this season. Bristol is awesome, and you can still find really good seats in that massive bullring. But the challenge this late will be lodging. It always is even if planning well ahead. You might be able to find super expensive lodging as part of a package unless they’ve already been sold out.

I love Charlotte Motor Speedway and have been there many times. The facilities are excellent and lots to do in that area, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame and tours of the team’s racings shops are available. Lots of lodging options and I’m sure you can get some good seats this late even if it’s through resale. If the Roval design is attractive to you both, it’s well worth seeing. Sit high and over towards the entry to turn one if you can. There are sections with great seating with food/bev perks in some specific areas.

Lastly this season, you can often see great races at both Las Vegas and Kansas. Never been to Kansas so can’t vouch for the extras but obviously Vegas has lots to do!

One MORE thing; suggest renting headsets for the races. Each of you can listen to the MRN broadcast or specific team’s in car radios. You can also link up to speak with each other while the racing is roaring!