Best track to attend late in the year?

Which race would you attend?

  • Bristol Night Race

    Votes: 3 12.0%

  • Richmond Night Race

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Southern 500 Throwback

    Votes: 9 36.0%

  • Dover Fall Race

    Votes: 1 4.0%

  • Martinsville Fall Race

    Votes: 10 40.0%

  • Homestead-Miami Weekend

    Votes: 2 8.0%
  • Total voters
    25
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racingfan7

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So right now I live out West in the Colorado area, having already been to Kansas already (and it being a cookie cutter), what would be a good race to attend?

Out of the poll options listed, what would be the best one in terms of weekend value, things to do in the area, the racing itself, etc.?

- Bristol Night Race
- Richmond Night Race
- Darlington Throwback
- Dover
- Martinsville
- Homestead-Miami
 
For the race itself, I'd choose Martinsville.

For weekend value, I'd imagine it would be hard to pass up seeing a championed crowned at Homestead and having Miami and all it's attractions nearby, especially in November. That would be hard to top.
 
My vote was for Darlington. Number one track on the circuit in my opinion for a race and old school atmosphere. One issue with Darlington can be finding a decent place to stay at a decent price.
 
Martinsville, hands down. Oldest track on the NASCAR schedule and it produces the best racing from flag to flag. Purchase on seat on the South Terrace for the best view in the house!
 
I voted Martinsville but to me it's a tossup between there and the Homestead weekend. The Homestead weekend has really good racing, crowns three Champions and there's a helluva lot of non stop things to do within 45 minutes of the track. Tough Choice.
 
In terms of racing, there are only two options listed: Darlington and Martinsville, and Darlington on Labor Day is just too damn hot. Third-place Bristol suffers from the same problem.

In terms of things to do in the area other than racing, Richmond or Miami, depending on what you like to do. Richmond offers a great selection of historical attractions, gardens, and isn't as crowded. Miami has better nightlife and a more cosmopolitan / international flavor; I don't know if the water is still warm enough in November to make the beach worthwhile. Third place again goes to Bristol, with plenty of outdoor activities. (mountain climbing, hiking, whitewater rafting, etc.), and proximity to nearby Asheville, a quirky arts town with great food and brew pubs.
 
dave corthell said:
My vote was for Darlington. Number one track on the circuit in my opinion for a race and old school atmosphere. One issue with Darlington can be finding a decent place to stay at a decent price.
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Try Florence, Sumter, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach, in that order for proximity and ease of access. Florence is so close that it usually books early, and small enough that they can get away with jacking up the rates, but it's worth a try. Sumter is second-closest, but may suffer the same issues. Columbia is far enough and large enough that availability and price increases shouldn't be much of an issue. Myrtle Beach is a great way to combine a race with trip to the beach while the water is still warm enough, but that's usually the last week of their 'season' and that will affect availability and rates more than the race itself.

There's always 'South of the Border' :rolleyes:
 
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Darlington seems like the best actual raceday experience, but it seems like hotel, flight, car would be more expensive. I don't even think I would need to rent a car for anybody going if I went to Richmond lol. So in terms of cost I'd probably save the most going to Richmond.

Overall I think going to South Carolina may be the best experience at the moment. I hate to say it, but the Homestead-Miami race went up in terms of crowning 3 champions in 1 weekend. Wish that race would move around.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Try Florence, Sumter, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach, in that order for proximity and ease of access. Florence is so close that it usually books early, and small enough that they can get away with jacking up the rates, but it's worth a try. Sumter is second-closest, but may suffer the same issues. Columbia is far enough and large enough that availability and price increases shouldn't be much of an issue. Myrtle Beach is a great way to combine a race with trip to the beach while the water is still warm enough, but that's usually the last week of their 'season' and that will affect availability and rates more than the race itself.

There's always 'South of the Border' :rolleyes:
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I once bought a cup of coffee at "South of the Border" on my way to the Daytona 500 at 3:50 am. Let's just say I've visited most of the rest stops the rest of the way to Florida. DAMN that place and it's giant Sombrero. :(
 
I used to recommend sitting in Brasington Tower / Turn 1 at Darlington when it had a spring race. Now that it's moved back to Labor Day, I recommend sitting in Pearson / Turn 4. If you're in Turn 1 in the fall, the sun shines directly in your eyes for most of the first 100 -150 miles. The front stretch is almost unviewable until the sun drops behind the Turn 4 tower. The cars are lit from behind and look like identical dark silhouettes until they're at the entrance to the turn.

There are no bad seats at Bristol but the ones on the back stretch and Turn 3 are shaded for more of the day than the rest of the track. As a result, they're 10 - 15 degrees cooler than the others by the time the race starts. Never sit high in turns 1 and 2 for the night race unless you like eating the insects attracted to the lights.

There are no bad seats at Martinsville, and the tickets are some of the most affordable on the circuit. Do at least try the hot dogs, but start with just one; I don't care what DPK says.
 
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NJJammer said:
I once bought a cup of coffee at "South of the Border" on my way to the Daytona 500 at 3:50 am. Let's just say I've visited most of the rest stops the rest of the way to Florida. DAMN that place and it's giant Sombrero. :(
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It's the only authentic part of their 'Mexican' experience.
 
OK, after Darlington, I will say this...
Richmond is great (probably best bet at finding affordable places to stay)
Bristol is great (good luck finding an affordable place to stay within 2 hours of the track)
Martinsville is great (I drove from North Charlotte for a race here and it wasn't too bad)
Dover is great
Miami is pretty good...but if you and your family/friends are staying in the keys before or after the race, then Miami is great.

Bottom line, you really can't go wrong with any one of these tracks...in my opinion
 
I've never had any trouble finding an affordable room in Asheville, NC for Bristol races. It's only about 90 minutes, interstate as far as Johnson City.
 
Dover is great, only been there once in the fall and that was for trucks the first time they raced there. But Dover in person is a whole different experience then on tv.
 
RacerrecaR said:
That's part of the experience IMO. Just like seeing a football game at Lambeau Field in January. They are both something every sports fan should have on their bucket list.
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Sorry, not big on 'the experience' when it's just another way of saying 'uncomfortable'. The racing at Darlington was just as good in the spring.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I've never had any trouble finding an affordable room in Asheville, NC for Bristol races. It's only about 90 minutes, interstate as far as Johnson City.
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I'll agree with you on that one Charlie. Maybe I should cut it down to one hour. 90 minutes is a bit of a drive especially if you are going to more than just the Sunday race.
 
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