Hey there. Psyched to stumble on this forum. I'm looknig to plan a trip with my 8 yo. He's big into NASCAR (me... not so much) and I have about 3 or 4 races that would be a relatively easy drive: Richmond Dover Poconos and then maybe some of the NC tracks. So, my question for any of you that have gone... What shoul I do? Should I try to get tickets for the Busch Series and the Nextel Cup? Is there stuff that is more hands-on during the day on Sat/Sun for my boy to check out? I just have no idea what goes on at one of these things, but I'm willing to try anything once.
Oooh. You have a PM Jer. And I'm an idiot for not reading where you said your boy was 8. In addition to the PM, consider the following: • Short tracks (Dover) tend to be loud. Maybe not as loud as Martinsville, but loud enough. Think madatory earplugs, if not actual ear muffs, for lack of a better term. And during a short track race, conversation is pretty much dead due to the noise. (And since your boy's so young, you may very well want to go soft earplugs anyway at any track, nit just the short ones) • Charlotte has not just the track, but all the additional NASCAR-esque things like the Dale Earnhardt museum. • Be prepared to tailgate after the race for a little while, as traffic coming out of the race is brutal. I've found it far more enjoyable to sit and talk/play games and possibly even eat for two hours than sitting in traffic, playing bumper tag with drunk rednecks. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with most of the tracks you mentioned. I sent you a list of the tracks I have been to. But if you can think of anything else, let me know.
You're awesome, homefresca. I'll have more in-depth responses, but your PM and info here already has me thinking. I KNEW somebody in the FFA/BSSM/B@W was in the know.
dover has a slot casino/hotel right at the track. and its a real quick and easy trip from where you are.
Yea, make sure to bring a ball along to play with while tailgating. Because that traffic coming out of race tracks is hell. I had fun at a race and I'm not even a big NASCAR fan. I'm sure you and your boy will have a blast. If you come to the Charlotte race there are all kinds of extra things to do in the Charlotte Metro area, but there's also a Petty Museum in a small town called Randleman, NC. Which is closer High Point (Triad) than Charlotte. But if you're a Petty fan it's a worthwhile trip. Here's a map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=142+W+Academy+St+Randleman,+NC Hours of Operation: Mon - Sat 9 am - 5 pm While in NC you should eat the barbeque, it's good.
From a traffic/race enjoyment standpoint, don't even consider Pocono. Richmond would be the best of your three options from every standpoint aside from the fact that they're all night races there, so you're stuck with not even getting on a road heading anywhere home until 1-2am. Dover is good from a seating/viewing standpoint.
From the PM: In response to 1, I think we'll look at maybe driving somewhere on a Saturday and watching the Busch Series... maybe stay for Sunday, maybe not. You're feedback on how much actual stuff there is to do is very helpful. I don't want to arrive at the track at noon for a night race, and have a bored kid on my hands. As for specific drivers, he's knowledgeable of a dozen or so, but not really a fan of any quite yet. He mentioned Jimmy Johnson last night while I was playing NASCAR 06 as his favorite. I guess the bottomline is that if he met a "lesser" known guy at an autograph session, that would quickly become his favorite. I just printed out the Nextel, Busch and Craftsman series schedules. A lot of this will come down to finding a weekend I have free where a Series is going to be close enough for a 2 day, 1 night trip.
It's hard to beat Charlotte in my mind for the May race. With the dirt track adjacent to the speedway and Hendrick and Rousch shops within 2 miles there is really not enough time to see it all. Plus you have a huge Mall 2 miles from the track with a NASCAR speedpark in it. Dirt track race and pole night Wed/Thursday night. Truck race Friday night. Busch Race Saturday and the 600 on Sunday plus the extra benefit of Memorial Day the following Monday so there is no hurry to get home and get to work the next day....plus downtown Charlotte is closed down for festivities starting that Friday.
Definitely go for the earplugs. Absolutely mandatory for your son, and I'd really recommend them for you too. There's really no reason to go without them - it's not even like a concert where without earplugs you can "hear" the music. You're just damaging your ears. I've only been to Sears Point, but I just wanted to reiterate that as my first race I thought I could go without them...WRONG.
I wish I could make it down to Charlotte... Looks like that has the best combo of amenities and racing. Alas, that weekend is already booked up. Maybe I'll wait for October.
• Oh yeah ... Don't forget that at most, if not all, NASCAR tracks, you can bring your own food and beverages inside the track ... Even beer, so long as it's not in glass. (Softsided coolers are usually the norm, check the track to see requirements) • If you do decide to bring anything inside the track with you (jacket, blanket, stuff for the kid) invest in one of those cheap, clear plastic backpacks. Every track has different bag requirements, but you can't go wrong with one of these. Especially when you're picking up freebies/merchandise and can't get back to the car to drop them off. • Track food is hit or miss, depending on the track. Sometimes it's good (ATL, Charlotte) sometimes it's horrible (Martinsville). Better to eat before and grab some snack food during the race. • Pack a couple of cheap ponchos. Even if the forecast is for clear skies. Trust me on this one. I think that's about it from me. If you have any specifics later on, let me know.
I like the smaller tracks. You can see the most of the race. Get seats were you can see the pit stops. Heres a few tips 1. Going to a NASCAR race is an all day event. 2. Water- bring water with you and have some stashed in car. 3. Traffic- it is always bad coming and going. 4. The best way to avoid the traffic is wait it out. Have a barbecue after the race. 5. Know what clothes you will need. Sitting in the stands can get very cold. 6. Sunscreen, cap stick, ear pugs, a hat and water are a must. 7. Know what you can bring in the race grounds and what you cannot. Each track has a web site that will inform you of the rules. 8. Let your son know before hand he can only spend X dollars on souvenirs. Every team has a trailer selling hats shirts and other things. 9. The Busch and Truck races are shorter. 10. When you know who is in each car the racing is better. Make it your son’s job to know who drives what car. Aaron PS Buy you tickets before you go. The races sell out and if not the good seats sell out first.
Thanks, good people! I really think a Craftsman or Busch series is the way for me to go. I'm bummed, as I'm down in VaBeach this weekend, and wanted to go to Martinsville, but I just don't think it's going to work out. =-=-=-=-= It's funny, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I vowed many years ago that I'd never follow this sport. But, my dad has always been a fan... and now my son is moving in that direction. Last year, I bought him NASCAR '06 for X-box... which was, quite frankly, too difficult for him. But not for me. Over the last few weeks, partly due to a desire to "understand the appeal" I've become totally sucked into the game. And now I'm starting to tune into the last 1/2 hour of the NASCAR events... You know, just to see if it's anything like the game. And this week, Lord help me, I watched the breakdown of the Bristol race on the Speed Channel. I wouldn't say it's something I'd set up my weekend to watch. I still can't watch more than 1/2 hour on TV. But... I'm definitely looking forward to finding a race, and I'm certainly starting to come around on the appeal. I'm actually looking at a Craftsman truck event
It's not a terrible idea, I'll tell you. I've been to 112 Winston Cup races in the last 26 years. Since about 1997, its really blown up to the point that its almost TOO much work to go to the track sometimes. The CTS is not nearly as well followed, and you can get the "NASCAR Experience Lite" without all of the normal hassle.
Yeah, a smaller series (Busch, CTS) would be a great starting point. And don't feel bad Jer. I, too, vowed to never get involved with the sport. Unfortunately, I have a close friend who's way into it, and she dragged me to my first race at Martinsville. After moving back home, I found out my aunt had gone crazy for it, and I've been catching the weekend races ever since. (I do tend to take an hour nap in the middle part of the races -- save for Talladega.) Unlike a lot of the fans down here, I prefer to watch the races for the actual racing -- not just the fan/soap opera aspect. Good luck man. Let us know how it all goes.
Might I suggest a trip to the local short track. Find your closest at www.speedwaysonline.com . I'm not a NASCAR fan (except the Modifieds) but I love local short track racing. You'll typically find cheap prices, decent food, and enthusiastic fans and drivers and great racing. I'm partial to dirt tracks but asphalt ovals can be fun too. I'm also a big fan of giving my money to the little guy, and most short tracks could use the support. Bob