I got NASCAR tickets! Now what?

[Shasta]

Never been to a car race and never really had an interest but after turning down tickets for years, decided to go this time. I'll be going to Talladega On April 26th. From what I understand it's about 2 hours to get seated from the race track exit and 2-3 hours to get from my seat to back on the Interstate heading home. You have to wear headphones so you don't damage your hearing and beer and food costs are pretty high.

Now that I have the pluses down, tell me the negatives. :rolleyes1

No, seriously, is it worth going for those who may have been? I think I'll wear my old "over the ear" headphones and listen to the podcast during the race. I'll have to dig up the one where Will went to the Richard Petty Drivers Exp. I almost peed myself listening to Kevin, John and Pete.

[cslittle999]

I've enjoyed all of the races that I've been to. My preference is shorter tracks where you can see all of the action but I'm sure that Talladega will be interesting.

You don't need headphones to protect your hearing. What you seen on TV are people wearing scanners that allow you to listen to the in-car communications. Well worth the money in my opinion.

Food and beer is expensive at the track but most people bring their own in small soft-sided coolers. The only restriction is no glass.

You should plan on getting to the track as early as possible. It's getting to the parking lots that takes all of the time. Review the fan guide (http://www.speedwaymaps.com/fanguide/Talladega09/) for information on the traffic patterns and what you can bring in with you.

Wear lots of sun screen and have fun.

[NC Belle]

I'm so jealous---my grandparents used to live like 10-15 minutes away from the racetrack (when using the back roads---no, I can't remember how to get around exactly). I have some relatives that work at the track during the races.

http://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/fan_info/guest_guide/
I was looking at this fan guide and has some helpful hints about the traffic. I have not been to a race, but be aware that certain parts of the infield and tailgating areas have been known in the past to be a bit more "adult".
I suggest earplugs, wipes (rubber from the tires can get on you if you have close seats), and sun protection. The weather can be tricky in April (today---reports of storm damage in nearby towns) so keep aware.

The Walk of Fame is nice on non-race weeks (its near Battle Street in downtown Talladega near some fast food chains, gas stations, and bbq stands). I think the Hall of Fame/other racetrack museum stuff is closed during the race weeks.

[huntconn]

I don't think you need headphones to protect your ears unless you are sensitive to noise. This is especially true at the larger tracks and Talladega is the biggest track on the circuit. It also has a reputation for having the wildest fans in NASCAR! You should definitely rent a scanner/headphones so that you can listen to the radio broadcast/crew transmissions. It helps you follow the action especially if you are not a huge race fan. Also, don't forget the sunscreen. Have fun!

[Shasta]

Very cool! I'm warming up to the idea now. Our tickets are Moss-Thornton Tower and as I understand are directly behind the start finish line.

My tickets come with a free buffet at some kind of hospitality tent. Do any of you know about how that works? Is this common? Food or food and alcohol?

Also, about the headphone/scanner rentals, can you tell me how much they are per person, deposit amount and where I may get them?

Thanks for the link to the guide too!

[disneym2m]

I agree about the sunscreen that was posted earlier. When ever I went to a Nascar race I wore jeans because I always seemed to be cover in a little bit of tar by the end of the race. Also bring tylenol. After a while your head might be a little sore from all the turning (watching the cars go round and round and round, etc.) and noise.

Enjoy.

[Dismom+two]

Great track to go to too!! I'm jealous!
Big track=fast driving=THE BIG ONE

I have been to a race at Loudon, NH a few years back. I had a great time except for the fact that Jeff won!! :lmao:

Eat, drink and have fun!!

[DisFhan]

I would rent a Sprint Fanview....Its a a small light weight tv with built in scanner. You can program it in to listen to the drivers and also hear the radio broadcast. Having a fanview will help you keep track of what is going on during the race..Have a great time!!

[wildeoscar]

we get pit passes for stuff here in charlotte (knowing people is half the battle), it is kinda like watching grass grow, but loud. they drive like me on my way to bojangles for 99 cent ham biscuits on sunday morning.

If you get there late and leave early you can avoid a lof the traffic.

[safetymom]

Lucky you. You will have a great time at the race.

[lugnut33]

I would rent a Sprint Fanview....Its a a small light weight tv with built in scanner. You can program it in to listen to the drivers and also hear the radio broadcast. Having a fanview will help you keep track of what is going on during the race..Have a great time!!


+1 about the Sprint Fanview. If you or somebody you know is a Sprint customer they will rent one to you for $30 for the whole weekend. Definitely worth it. We have the old programmable scanners which we dont even use anymore because the Fanviews are so user friendly.

I recommend getting to the track 5-7 hours before the race starts. I know that's a long time before, but it's worth it. Bring some food to cook and beer to drink. Go check out sponsors row, there's always lots of free stuff. Also check out the souvineer trailers.. even if you don't buy anything. Just fun to look at all the stuff. Go people watching because you'll be in the redneck capital of the world that day (Talladega is just that way).

[lugnut33]

we get pit passes for stuff here in charlotte (knowing people is half the battle), it is kinda like watching grass grow, but loud. they drive like me on my way to bojangles for 99 cent ham biscuits on sunday morning.

If you get there late and leave early you can avoid a lof the traffic.

LOL at the advice to leave early. The best part of the race is the last 100 miles (or laps depending on the track). It's like recommending to leave before Wishes to avoid the crowd.

[Shasta]

Thanks for the tips! I will look for the Sprint tent/kiosk as soon as we get there. I have heard that the action happens at the last of the race but we are driving 5 hours and have to get back home that night so we probably will leave early and listen to the results on the radio. One of my friends said he left with 20 laps left and got to the Interstate in 20 minutes! That is impossible to resist. :thumbsup2

Our tickets come with some kind of free lunch buffet at a hospitality tent. I'll have to ask more about that.

Thanks everyone, you've made me be excited about this and I thought that wouldn't happen! :lmao:

[huntconn]

we get pit passes for stuff here in charlotte (knowing people is half the battle), it is kinda like watching grass grow, but loud. they drive like me on my way to bojangles for 99 cent ham biscuits on sunday morning.

If you get there late and leave early you can avoid a lof the traffic.

Sorry, gotta disagree with you there. Do the opposite of this advice: Get there early and leave late. Tailgating is half the fun. And missing the last 25% of the race is a sin! There's two ways to avoid the post race traffic: 1. leave the race before it's over which is anti climactic (unless you really don't like racing, but then why the heck are you there in the first place?) or 2. hang out and tailgate in the lot after the race until most of the traffic clears out. Option #2 is waaaay more fun! Also, gotta cast another vote for the Sprint Fanview. It's invaluable, especially at the huge tracks (Daytona, Talladega, Pocono). I believe the normal rental price is $70 for the weekend and $50 for Sunday only. You can find the rental spots with the other souvenir trailers. They will be easy to find. Also, head there as soon as you arrive if possible to avoid waiting in long lines or possibly have them run out. One other thing: If you are not a fan of racing, try to watch a few races on tv with a race fan before going. They will help explain the many nuances of stock racing and you will get to know the cast of characters a bit which is important.

[huntconn]

Thanks for the tips! I will look for the Sprint tent/kiosk as soon as we get there. I have heard that the action happens at the last of the race but we are driving 5 hours and have to get back home that night so we probably will leave early and listen to the results on the radio. One of my friends said he left with 20 laps left and got to the Interstate in 20 minutes! That is impossible to resist. :thumbsup2

Our tickets come with some kind of free lunch buffet at a hospitality tent. I'll have to ask more about that.

Thanks everyone, you've made me be excited about this and I thought that wouldn't happen! :lmao:

Ok, I should have read this before my last post. If I had a 5 hour drive after the race, I would likely have to leave early too. What a bummer though..the finishes at Talladega are usually fantastic! Oh well, you'll still have plenty of fun.

[Shasta]

Ok, I should have read this before my last post. If I had a 5 hour drive after the race, I would likely have to leave early too. What a bummer though..the finishes at Talladega are usually fantastic! Oh well, you'll still have plenty of fun.
Ha! you just saved me a response. You are right, if it weren't for the five hour drive back, I'd hang in. It will be fun anyway!

The Sprint scanner/radio/headphones are already ordered thanks to the link you gave me! :cool1:

[wildeoscar]

LOL at the advice to leave early. The best part of the race is the last 100 miles (or laps depending on the track). It's like recommending to leave before Wishes to avoid the crowd.

when you don't care who wins... you can leave early

[MelanieC]

Going and coming to a race can be a LONG wait in traffic. We've gone to Charlotte NC, Dover, Pocono's & last month we went to Martinsville Va.

Some races take 5 hours to get to with traffic (Charlotte literally took us this long and we were within a mile of the track the majority of the time).

Last month at Martinsville it took us forever to find a parking space. There was major traffic at the racetrack - we sat in traffic in the racetrack trying to find a spot to park. They had every spot blocked and we had to turn around and go back the same way. We finally found one out side of the park.

Your best bet is to get there early and prepare for lots of traffic leaving.

[G66]

Go out and get yourself an 88 tat. Then practice yelling Juuuuunior at the top of your lungs while raising your adult beverage high in the air. You're good to go.

[lugnut33]

when you don't care who wins... you can leave early

Why go? Wouldn't it be easier to head down to your local waterhole and get trashed?

[hanco005]

I also recommend getting the stadium pal.:scared1::scared1::scared1::scared1:

http://www.biorelief.com/travel-urinals/stadiumpal.html

or the stadium gal which is equally as disgusting:

http://www.biorelief.com/stadium-gal.html


According to the website, these are very popular at NASCAR races

[huntconn]

I also recommend getting the stadium pal.:scared1::scared1::scared1::scared1:

http://www.biorelief.com/travel-urinals/stadiumpal.html

or the stadium gal which is equally as disgusting:

http://www.biorelief.com/stadium-gal.html


According to the website, these are very popular at NASCAR races

That's just plain nasty. I've never even heard of these. I don't think these are "very popular" at NASCAR races or the lines at the restrooms wouldn't be so long!:laughing:

[hanco005]

That's just plain nasty. I've never even heard of these. I don't think these are "very popular" at NASCAR races or the lines at the restrooms wouldn't be so long!:laughing:

I know. I can't even believe they make it. David Sedaris did a review of it on Letterman one night. Check You Tube if you want to see it. It's very funny.

[Shasta]

Go out and get yourself an 88 tat. Then practice yelling Juuuuunior at the top of your lungs while raising your adult beverage high in the air. You're good to go.
Actualy, I had planned to wear my La bohème shirt and yell GO RODOLFO, GO RODOLFO!

[Shasta]

I also recommend getting the stadium pal.:scared1::scared1::scared1::scared1:

http://www.biorelief.com/travel-urinals/stadiumpal.html

or the stadium gal which is equally as disgusting:

http://www.biorelief.com/stadium-gal.html


According to the website, these are very popular at NASCAR races
I talked to several folks today about the race who had been several times and half said "you will wait at least 30 minutes for a restroom". When I asked the others, they said "I've never had to wait in line".

Weird how different the opinions were. :confused3 There are always these:
http://www.my-healthandsafety.com/my-staydrysupply/images/Depend_Belted_Undergarments_Extra.jpg
As my father always taught me, being happy is like peeing yourself, everyone may notice but only you get the warm feeling.

[G66]

Actualy, I had planned to wear my La bohème shirt and yell GO RODOLFO, GO RODOLFO!

Your going to wear a shirt? :rotfl:

[mkynut90]

I would suggest either getting a radio or rent a scanner. It’s hard to follow the race without one. The plus side of having a scanner is you can listen to the driver crew communications. NASCAR tracks do let you bring your own food and drinks inside. There are limits on the size of cooler allowed, but you will see fans bring in entire cases or beer. It can be a good time wear comfortable clothes and just enjoy yourself. A good cheep souvenir is a program. It run about $10 and it includes a couple of extras. Good luck and have a good time.

[DisneyDoc5]

I personally recommend the headphones, they have lots of rental sites around the track. For me, a nascar 'fan' by marriage, having them on made the whole experience more interesting and it does protect your ears a bit. The noise is very cool, but very loud. We all had a set (2 adults and 2 kids). Have fun!!!
Erin

[calypso*a*go-go]

You have to go through a security check-point and it will go a lot quicker if you have any personal belongings in a clear backpack or mesh bag they can see inside. (Well that's how it was at Daytona, so I'm assuming it's the same at other races too.)

[lugnut33]

Thanks for the tips! I will look for the Sprint tent/kiosk as soon as we get there. I have heard that the action happens at the last of the race but we are driving 5 hours and have to get back home that night so we probably will leave early and listen to the results on the radio. One of my friends said he left with 20 laps left and got to the Interstate in 20 minutes! That is impossible to resist. :thumbsup2

Our tickets come with some kind of free lunch buffet at a hospitality tent. I'll have to ask more about that.

Thanks everyone, you've made me be excited about this and I thought that wouldn't happen! :lmao:

Please tell me you didn't leave early??????

I warned you about leaving early.

[DebbieT11]

Man, I HOPE she didn't leave early... that last lap was INCREDIBLE!!

[Shasta]

Got back last night and yes we did leave early. We saw the "7 lap big one", both of the out of control slides through the finish and the "second big one" but misses the last crash that would have been directly in front of me. Missed the "Ricky Bobby run through the finish".

I was directly (I mean exactly) behind the finish line in a tower seat so I'd have had a great view.

All in all, while exciting and fun, it isn't something I'd do again. The best parts were the enormity, massive scale of it all and the sound and feel of the cars as they passed by. The happy little brunette that sat in front of me was entertaining too.(DebbieT11, I'm a he and not a she :rotfl:)

The not so good parts were the drunks (plenty), tiny seats (O room between your legs and the back of the front seat) if your 15 people deep on a row, you have to climb over everyone to get out.

One thing it was for sure was an unforgettable experience!

[G66]

Glad to hear you had a reasonably good time and were not one of the fans hit by high speed debris as a result of the final crash.

I love how the NASCAR web page downplays it as minor injuries... some possible "broken extremities." . They air lifted one person out for traffic purposes of course:rolleyes:. Just a minor laceration of her lip and "possibly a broken jaw."

[G66]

Glad to hear you had a reasonably good time and were not one of the fans hit by high speed debris as a result of the final crash.

I love how the NASCAR web page downplays it as minor injuries... some possible "broken extremities." . They air lifted one person out for traffic purposes of course:rolleyes:. Just a minor laceration of her lip and "possibly a broken jaw."

[DebbieT11]

:flower3: OK... I'm red-faced. sorry, my bad. Glad you enjoyed the race, though.... I've decided that I'll watch NASCAR from the livingroom...... sad, huh???

he happy little brunette that sat in front of me was entertaining too.(DebbieT11, I'm a he and not a she :rotfl:)

One thing it was for sure was an unforgettable experience!

[NC Belle]

Glad to hear you had a reasonably good time and were not one of the fans hit by high speed debris as a result of the final crash.

I love how the NASCAR web page downplays it as minor injuries... some possible "broken extremities." . They air lifted one person out for traffic purposes of course:rolleyes:. Just a minor laceration of her lip and "possibly a broken jaw."

The hospital closest to the track has not the trauma facilities needed and has limited beds (rating is average). My relatives that live in Talladega usually have to go to UAB which takes about 45-60 minutes on a non-raceday, light traffic situation.

[arje]

I just hope that the entire crowd was screaming "GO MARCOS, YOU GOOD THNG" :banana:

Seriously, I think going to a NASCAR race would be an ultimate experience. Obviously not much chance for Australians to go, and I've been unable to align past trips to a race, but I hope that for all you experienced you enjoyed it.

And watch out for our lad come road courses, all the other 43 drivers will see is the rear of his car, and he WILL win an oval by years end!

[NC Belle]

The Anniston Star has a slide show from this past weekend (link: http://www.annistonstar.com/PDF/slideshow/20090426_Aarons499/ ).