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.

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 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!!

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!!

 

[wilde_oscar]

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.

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!

 

[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.

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!

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!

 

[wilde_oscar]

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?