Which NASCAR Race Should I Attend.

[Blib]

I love watching NASCAR and I've decided to get over to The States this coming season and check out some live racing.

However, I can't decide which race to attend. Should it be the curtain opener Daytona 500 in five weeks time?

Or, how about the other restrictor plate races at the super speedway tracks, Talledega or The Brickyard?

Maybe the 'bread and butter' ones like Lowes Motor Speedway or Phoenix.

The one mile ovals like Dover?

Should I instead opt for the bullrings of the short tracks such as Richmond & Bristol?

I need your brains and experience PHers! How about stuff to do when I'm not at the track?

Which race weekend, in your opinion, would give me the true flavour of 'turn left racing'?

Thanks in advance.

[FourWheelDrift]

Bristol definitely. Before they completely ruin NASCAR.

[Blib]

FourWheelDrift said:

Bristol definitely. Before they completely ruin NASCAR.

My head says a track like Bristol is where I should go, but my heart yearns to see 200 mph bump draughting.

Edited by Blib on Thursday 8th January 22:36

[cosmic-ep3]

Daytona is definetley the best track ive ever been to. Completely recommend it.

[Blib]

cosmic-ep3 said:

Daytona is definetley the best track ive ever been to. Completely recommend it.

I'd love to go to Daytona, but I'm worried that I've missed the boat for good tickets this year. I'd hate to get there and find myself up against the fencing with no overview of the track.

I've googled a firm offering a tour with seats in the Turn 2 tower. It's way across from the home straight and the grandstands. I'm not convinced.

Anyone know of a good tour company?

[odyssey2200]

Go
What's the worst that could happen?

[flemke]

If you go to Bristol, bring the biggest set of ear defenders you can find.

[Matt Harper]

Blib said:

cosmic-ep3 said:

Daytona is definetley the best track ive ever been to. Completely recommend it.

I'd love to go to Daytona, but I'm worried that I've missed the boat for good tickets this year. I'd hate to get there and find myself up against the fencing with no overview of the track.

I've googled a firm offering a tour with seats in the Turn 2 tower. It's way across from the home straight and the grandstands. I'm not convinced.

Anyone know of a good tour company?

Daytona is my local track - and the 500 and the Pepsi 400 in July are both great experiences. The 'Superstretch' (between 2 and 3) is fine if you can get seats high up, pretty much unrestricted view of the entire speedway, except the pit lane. Best seats overlook the front straight, but are more expensive. Given the economic woes here, scalping good seats won't be a problem this year.
Of the two, I prefer the 400 because the racing is more spectacular after dark. I've also done Talladega (very similar to Daytona, but a more hardcore, hi'billy atmosphere). Downside of Talladega is that it's in the middle of nowhere, wheras Daytona Beach has other attractions in addition to the race. Indianapolis is also a great occasion, but not a particularly good NASCAR venue, given it's less aggressive banking and squared-off turns.
Bristol is much trickier to get tickets for - it's usually a sell-out and is a much smaller facility and the race runs at a more sedate pace, of course.
A more 'European' flavour is delivered at the road courses (Mt Pocono, PA) being the obvious and most economically accessible from UK.
Rule #1 I learned the hard way, seats close to the debris fence are great for the noise, but are crap for a good view. Nose-bleed seats are better, for taking in the whole deal. Infield is a waste of time if watching the race is the primary objective - but awesome for the party before, during and after.
Obviously the Cup races attract the big crowds, but a lot of fun can be had at some of these venues during alternative series events. My first visit to Daytona this year will be for the Rolex 24 Hour race. It's not what it used to be, but the quality of the field/technology is getting better and it's a great weekend of boozing, grilling and relaxing.
For me, by far the most attractive FL event is the ALMS round at Sebring in March. This is a fantastic weekend. The weather is invariably great, the track is awesome, from a spectator perspective and the party is the shizzit. A big crowd of English and Dutch friends come over for this one. As a 20+ years attendee of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, I honestly feel that Sebring beats it on all levels. It's true that most 24 hour races are about 12 hours too long.
If there's any help I can offer with hooking-up tickets, local attractions etc., I'd be more than happy to assist.

[Blib]

Matt Harper said:

...some fantastic advice and information.

Thank you so much Matt!



This type of reply is why I love PH so much. Genuinely thoughtful and selfless advice from a fellow petrolhead.

If it's OK by you Matt, I'd like to e-mail you a few more questions within the next twenty four hours? I've got a trip to Florida in February to arrange!

[Matt Harper]

Blib said:

Matt Harper said:

...some fantastic advice and information.

Thank you so much Matt!



This type of reply is why I love PH so much. Genuinely thoughtful and selfless advice from a fellow petrolhead.

If it's OK by you Matt, I'd like to e-mail you a few more questions within the next twenty four hours? I've got a trip to Florida in February to arrange!

You go right ahead. Start by packing your drinking boots.

[flemke]

Matt Harper said:

A more 'European' flavour is delivered at the road courses (Mt Pocono, PA) being the obvious and most economically accessible from UK.

Pocono is a 2.5 mile "tri-oval", not a European-style road course. I've always thought it the most boring circuit in NASCAR. The only reason that it carries on, IMO, is its proximity to population centres in NY, NJ and PA.

I suspect that you're thinking of Watkins Glen, near the Finger Lakes in upstate NY. World-class races have been held there for more than 50 years, including many F1 races, Can-Am, IMSA and others. It's maybe 5 hours drive from NYC, in one of the most beautiful regions in the States.

[Matt Harper]

Forgive me, you are absolutely correct - 'Thunder at the Glen', what was I thinking? Thanks for the correction.

[thunderbelmont]

The other option is to go for the All Star Challenge at Lowes. There's lots on that weekend.

Though my first port of call would have to be Bristol.

[chevronb37]

Blib said:

Anyone know of a good tour company?

Grandstand Motorsport www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk organised our trips to Belgian GP and Monaco Historic last year and could not be more helpful. I'd highly recommend them. I'm sure I remember seeing a Daytona trip advertised by them.

[aeropilot]

Bristol would be the mutts nuts.

I did Charlotte nearly 20 years ago, and that was amazing, although I wanted to do Darlington or Talledega, but Charlotte was my only option at the time.

[Blib]

Thanks for all of the advice so far. I shall call Grandstand this afternoon.

[onomatopoeia]

Bristol night race in August would be my suggestion - it's at the top of my list when I manage to organise myself to go and see a race anyway.

[Matt Harper]

chevronb37 said:

Blib said:

Anyone know of a good tour company?

Grandstand Motorsport www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk organised our trips to Belgian GP and Monaco Historic last year and could not be more helpful. I'd highly recommend them. I'm sure I remember seeing a Daytona trip advertised by them.

You don't need a tour guide. If the 500 is your objective, all you need is a plane ticket and a credit card.

[Blib]

Matt Harper said:

You don't need a tour guide. If the 500 is your objective, all you need is a plane ticket and a credit card.

Really? I literally have my phone in my hand to phone Grandstand when you post popped up Matt.

[aeropilot]

Blib said:

Matt Harper said:

You don't need a tour guide. If the 500 is your objective, all you need is a plane ticket and a credit card.

Really? I literally have my phone in my hand to phone Grandstand when you post popped up Matt.

God yeah, choose the race you want, order your ticket online, buy a flight, hire a car online, book a hotel online....pack your bag and go.