What keeps you from going to more or any NASCAR races?

I really have no desire to go to a Nascar race in person. Bristol isn't far up the road and I've never been. I'd rather watch them on TV to be honest.
 
We want to 8 to 10 races a year when DALE was racing. from 2001 to 2006 we stopped renewing our tickets, now we don't go to any races, and only watch the road races, Bristol and the plate races. still kept up with what is going on in nascar, but have other things to do on the weekends.
 
Mr. Gregory said:
I'm an introvert that for the most part doesn't like being outside much (I can't stand the bugs), so going to a massive outdoor event with an enormous crowd isn't really my cup of tea. Almost everyone I've ever known that likes NASCAR has tried to convince me to go to a race, but I don't think I ever will.
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Before the Nationwide Series got ruined those races were nice to go to since they were relatively calm and much smaller compared to the Cup crowd. Homestead last year wasn't bad at all, a more tame and nicer group than I usually see at Daytona to be honest. The 500 turns that place into a zoo, the 400 isn't as bad although I still prefer Homestead over it.

Daytona's prices are about to get even more outrageous with the upcoming seating capacity reduction so I figure I won't be visiting there for a while. Atlanta on Labor Day weekend sounds like it could be a nice deal although lodging is usually my main concern.
 
Money, weather and distance. I live in Colorado Springs. My choices are Kansas, Texas, and Phoenix. Thanks but no thanks, those tracks can keep their heat. I can't stand to be in weather over 75 degrees.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Before the Nationwide Series got ruined those races were nice to go to since they were relatively calm and much smaller compared to the Cup crowd. Homestead last year wasn't bad at all, a more tame and nicer group than I usually see at Daytona to be honest. The 500 turns that place into a zoo, the 400 isn't as bad although I still prefer Homestead over it.

Daytona's prices are about to get even more outrageous with the upcoming seating capacity reduction so I figure I won't be visiting there for a while. Atlanta on Labor Day weekend sounds like it could be a nice deal although lodging is usually my main concern.
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wanna see zoo....go ta dega infield....frid-sun ! ha! daytona is valium land compared.

plenty rooms on that side of atlanta w/ car.
 
Expense is pretty much what keeps me from attending any Cup events anymore.
 
Stewart Fan said:
I really have no desire to go to a Nascar race in person. Bristol isn't far up the road and I've never been. I'd rather watch them on TV to be honest.
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You really need to go to at least one. To feel the engines with your whole body, to feel the hair on your neck and arms stand up, to breathe the air and smell hot rubber, oil, grease is to really fall in love with the sport. I've followed the sport since 1979, but until I attended my first race, I really wasn't in LOVE with it. The first time the cars came around at full song was just heaven.

Give it a try --- just one.
 
Stewart Fan said:
I really have no desire to go to a Nascar race in person. Bristol isn't far up the road and I've never been. I'd rather watch them on TV to be honest.
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Hey. Fridge full of food is footsteps away. The bathroom is close by and accessible during commercials. Perfect temperature inside. No annoying drunks. Beer is free! R-F pals to chat up. I dont blame you ;)

TexasRaceLady said:
To feel the engines with your whole body, to feel the hair on your neck and arms stand up, to breathe the air and smell hot rubber, oil, grease
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I can step into my garage for that :D
 
I think a lot of people with kids are probably priced out of going to races as well. With gas, lodging, tickets, meals/concessions, souvenirs, etc., a single race weekend for a family of four can easily top four figures. And unlike many other sports, there's the risk you won't even get to see the event if the weather doesn't cooperate.
 
After reading so many of these responses it's no wonder that the stands are at less than capacity. If we can't even get the diehard NASCAR fans on here to attend then maybe it's time to just reduce the seating at all of the venues. Looks like a no win situation for NASCAR. :(
 
Glad you figured it out. Fans at the track, despite Nascars statements as to how important the fans are, are secondary and have been for years. Racetracks and the economy in general have priced themselves out of the reach of many, not like it was back in the day when they needed fans at the track and there were plenty of opportunities for fans with all income levels to see a race. . Daytona getting rid of the "cheap seats" and remodeling and enlarging the suites should give fans a clue to where the sport has been moving for years.
 
NASCAR and track owners have control over the ticket prices but I'm not sure what they can do about lodging @ local hotels/motels and food/fuel prices. I can only speak for myself but the cost of my seat at the track is far overshadowed by the cost to get to the track. Fuel, Food, Tickets, Campsite are pretty much the order of our expenses going to a race. The latter two being under the tracks control and are the cheapest.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
After reading so many of these responses it's no wonder that the stands are at less than capacity. If we can't even get the diehard NASCAR fans on here to attend then maybe it's time to just reduce the seating at all of the venues. Looks like a no win situation for NASCAR. :(
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If they improve the show, people would come.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
NASCAR and track owners have control over the ticket prices but I'm not sure what they can do about lodging @ local hotels/motels and food/fuel prices. I can only speak for myself but the cost of my seat at the track is far overshadowed by the cost to get to the track. Fuel, Food, Tickets, Campsite are pretty much the order of our expenses going to a race. The latter two being under the tracks control and are the cheapest.
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Yeah, that is what I meant by economy in general. Wages haven't kept up with prices across the board. It all counts toward the total race package and a go or no go decision. When I and my race buddy went, we would stay at a hotel about 40 miles away because of motel prices and that was before fuel skyrocketed.
 
StandOnIt said:
Yeah, that is what I meant by economy in general. Wages haven't kept up with prices across the board. It all counts toward the total race package and a go or no go decision. When I and my race buddy went, we would stay at a hotel about 40 miles away because of motel prices and that was before fuel skyrocketed.
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Yep, I misunderstood. I thought you were blaming everything on NASCAR. My bad.

I know we don't go to nearly as many races as we once did but we are still able to afford a few each year.
 
Nobody to go with :( literally would have to beg my girlfriend or something.
 
I only don't really go to every race due to scheduling. I have never got a better value for my buck so I really don't care what it costs.
I'll go to every single one I can.
It also doesn't hurt that I can catch Charlotte , bristol and Martinsville without having to pay to stay anywhere unless I just really want to.
 
Usually go to a couple a year seeing that Dover, Richmond, Bristol, M Ville, Charlotte and Pocono are all in driving distance. Camping at the track really cut down on the cost of staying overnight, so if your comfortable sleeping in a tent its a great money saver. Think at Bristol last year the campsite and race ticket cost a total of $115 per person.

I just started my own business this year so I haven't made any concrete plans to attend any races yet this year as money is much tighter. Hoping to squeeze in the second Pocono or M Ville race.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
So let me understand this. You watch NASCAR and you frequent a NASCAR BB to comment on it but you don't think that the product is good? That's a little tough for me to comprehend.
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I'm one of those fans that used to be hardcore but the interest isn't what it used to be. The races will still be on the TV, but I'm not glued to it anymore. I'm usually doing something else while it's on, but I only pay attention to the last 50 laps or so.

Whether or not are a fan of NASCAR isn't determined by an on/off switch.
 
the reason for me is I am 500 miles from a race track, vegas. add to that its expensive I think it cost my dad 2k for us to go to the last vegas race, granted he got vip suite and pit passes etc. The other is the TV product is REALLY good these days. There is simply no way to follow a race as well as you can on TV. We also have high quality HD images. It think nascar should focus on the TV product, that would mean more short tracks first of all.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
the reason for me is I am 500 miles from a race track, vegas. add to that its expensive I think it cost my dad 2k for us to go to the last vegas race, granted he got vip suite and pit passes etc. The other is the TV product is REALLY good these days. There is simply no way to follow a race as well as you can on TV. We also have high quality HD images. It think nascar should focus on the TV product, that would mean more short tracks first of all.
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I think the only tracks that TV really does justice to are restrictor plate tracks and certain road courses.
 
Being a Canadian the logistics make it difficult.

The closest track to my city is Michigan which is about a 9 hour drive roughly. So between that and my busy work schedule, it's hard to get an entire weekend to go to a race.

Currently, I go to Speedweeks because I can take a brief vacation during that time but otherwise it's tough to get away from work demands, but such is life I suppose. Perhaps when I retire I can go to more, here's hoping haha!
 
I don't understand why a lot of you complain about spending extra money to stay at a hotel. Any track within 4 hours is doable without a hotel (imo). NHMS and Dover are 3 1/2 hours (5-6 with traffic) from my house and I have no problem going to and from on the same day. Don't like driving? Find a friend you can double up with. One drives up another drives down.

Traffic is part of raceday that I enjoy. It's not like interstate traffic. Everything is redneck related. Nascar license plates, flags, sometimes a classic car, signs for roadside parking everywhere, planes with banners flying above, and people driving anywhere there isn't a tree (over medians, through grass, ect). There's a buzz in the atmosphere that gets you excited for the big race.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
I don't understand why a lot of you complain about spending extra money to stay at a hotel. Any track within 4 hours is doable without a hotel (imo). NHMS and Dover are 3 1/2 hours (5-6 with traffic) from my house and I have no problem going to and from on the same day. Don't like driving? Find a friend you can double up with. One drives up another drives down.
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Sorry, but I'm not driving 4 hours in the morning, spending all day at a race, then 4 hours back that same day. Most are not going to do that, especially if you have a family, or enjoy tailgating, etc.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
Traffic is part of raceday that I enjoy. It's not like interstate traffic. Everything is redneck related. Nascar license plates, flags, sometimes a classic car, signs for roadside parking everywhere, planes with banners flying above, and people driving anywhere there isn't a tree (over medians, through grass, ect). There's a buzz in the atmosphere that gets you excited for the big race.
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You are crazy.
 
Although I have not been to a race in many years, Ive been to every one of my college's home football games for the past 3 years & I can tell you now that traffic is sickening enough. We live in walking distance to the stadium & we sit back & watch the miles of cars creep into the parking lots while we tailgate. Oh, and leaving? You better have been to the bathroom before you drive out or you'll be subjected to a living hell until a rest stop.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Although I have not been to a race in many years, Ive been to every one of my college's home football games for the past 3 years & I can tell you now that traffic is sickening enough. We live in walking distance to the stadium & we sit back & watch the miles of cars creep into the parking lots while we tailgate. Oh, and leaving? You better have been to the bathroom before you drive out or you'll be subjected to a living hell until a rest stop.
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At racetracks, we tailgate until the lot is empty. It makes more sense to sit by the BBQ & ice chest for two hours than to sit in traffic for two hours. :)
 
TexasRaceLady said:
You really need to go to at least one. To feel the engines with your whole body, to feel the hair on your neck and arms stand up, to breathe the air and smell hot rubber, oil, grease is to really fall in love with the sport. I've followed the sport since 1979, but until I attended my first race, I really wasn't in LOVE with it. The first time the cars came around at full song was just heaven.

Give it a try --- just one.
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trl's description is right on !
even corporate guys who've never been ta single race anywhere are "holy ****e " in person ! ha!
if ya ever lucky enuff ta get a garage pass or pit pass ( if they're still available ? ) do it .
back in carb days we'd get ta garage early .......everybody tunin . yep....hairs on end ....way before race.
until ya've stood 5 ft behind team durin pit stop.....it looks slo mo on tv.

i guess memories blend w/ tv coverage...... all i need now.
sure best sport on tv for me these days.
even watch all indy ...f1 .....etc. now . ha!
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Hey. Fridge full of food is footsteps away. The bathroom is close by and accessible during commercials. Perfect temperature inside. No annoying drunks. Beer is free! R-F pals to chat up. I dont blame you ;)


I can step into my garage for that :D
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Charlotte usually has good eye candy walking around all day prior to the race. You cant get that on the nascar telecast.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
You really need to go to at least one. To feel the engines with your whole body, to feel the hair on your neck and arms stand up, to breathe the air and smell hot rubber, oil, grease is to really fall in love with the sport. I've followed the sport since 1979, but until I attended my first race, I really wasn't in LOVE with it. The first time the cars came around at full song was just heaven.

Give it a try --- just one.
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If you can only do one race in your lifetime save your pennies, sell your blood if you have too but get to Daytona just once for the 500.
First time you walk out from the concourse area and have full view of the track is something you will never forget.
 
hawg dawg said:
trl's description is right on !
even corporate guys who've never been ta single race anywhere are "holy ****e " in person ! ha!
if ya ever lucky enuff ta get a garage pass or pit pass ( if they're still available ? ) do it .
back in carb days we'd get ta garage early .......everybody tunin . yep....hairs on end ....way before race.
until ya've stood 5 ft behind team durin pit stop.....it looks slo mo on tv.

i guess memories blend w/ tv coverage...... all i need now.
sure best sport on tv for me these days.
even watch all indy ...f1 .....etc. now . ha!
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Absolute truth. I love it when I have a 1st timer at the track with me - friends that would once make fun of it would shut right up. No matter how many races I go to though, the first time they fly by at speed gives me goosebumps. I only wish TV could justify that more...
 
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