A NASCAR fan’s first race experience can be exciting, crazy, and maybe a little scary. But it will certainly be something they will never forget. We’ve been asked periodically by first time race goers to offer advice on what to do, what to see, what not to do, etc. when they attend their first big time NASCAR event. Both myself and Journo were once first time race fans, and we always try and give some tips.
I just recently had a reader email and ask for some advice on attending her first race. She had tickets for the Auto Club 500 weekend at California. I responded with a few paragraphs about what I thought she should do, see, and be prepared for. After emailing back and forth a little bit, and seeing her great race photos, I thought it might be a good idea to run a post where you (our readers) could offer up some advice to first time race attendees.
So here is what I’m thinking. If you’ve been to a Cup, Nationwide, or Truck race we will call you an expert. Using the comments section below, let us know a tip or two that you would give to somebody attending their first race. It can be anything from where to sit and what to eat, to where to buy tickets and what to see while at the track. Any little piece of advice that you think would benefit that first timer.
Then, when we get some responses, I’ll put this post in the “Insider Favorites” box over to the right. That way, any folks that drop by the site will easily be able to find advice to aid in their race experience from you, the experts.
So, whatcha got?
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on Mar 2nd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Suggestions for the first timer:
Scanners/Fan Scan are great for keeping up with your favorite driver. They are also helpful to protect your ears from the loud engines.
Sunscreen.
Comfortable shoes.
Prepare for lots of excitement.
on Mar 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Things to bring:
Small pack of wipes
Small pack of tissues
Camera
If there’s rain in the forecast, some kind of rain gear (but not umbrellas)
I bring a small knitting project, but that’s my quirk
$$$
on Mar 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I would suggest not bringing a lot of “stuff!” A camera and cooler should be all you need.
I would also purchase an infield pass. It’s worth the visit!
on Mar 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I think the next race my wife and I go to we are going to allow for more time. We got to Martinsville last fall in plenty of time for the race. But we almost immediately got sucked into the SPEED’s Raceday and worked our way to the front (well techinically I guess it was the back). We stayed there for quite awhile.
Then on the way out we headed straight for the car with hopes of getting out quick. Uhhmmm That’s NOT going to happen so don’t plan on that.
NEXT RACE – Get there earlier. After the race we are going to “tailgate” and eat some good food THEN hit the road.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 4:12 am
If it is a hot day, take one of those mini fans that spray a mist of water.
And as already mentioned, lots of sunscreen.
And, if you are not a Jr. Fan, you might selfishly hope he DNFs very early. I was at Loudon a few years ago and Jr DNFed the #8 very very early, and an enormous number of people got up and left! Those remaining had a lot more room.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 am
Don’t drink too much alcohol the first day you get there unless it’s the day of the Cup Race. You want to have the most fun then…besides it sucks to have a hangover the whole time you are there if you go for a couple of days:) Drink lots of water, eat lots of good food, meet lots of great people and stay hydrated. Camp if you can. Way more fun than a hotel.
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 6:46 am
Well that all depends on what you are gonna do, day race or week-end at the track. Day race go early & set up your “space” if you intend to tailgate. Way cheaper, you need to check the track out to see if they allow coolers into the track, some do, some don’t. We have even packed our own food into track in clear backpacks, (must be clear, so you get through the line quicker) but whatever you take in your gonna hold while the race is being run so remember that too. Don’t forget a hat or a visor if it is a day race at some point you will be facing the sun & will need protection & won’t be able to see the race. As for tickets, that depends on the tracks also. We like to sit on the top row in the grandstands coming off of turn 4. With these seats we are able to see the whole track at most tracks & also the pit area. Once you have acquired these seats from the track ticket office & can continue to return the specific track it’s best to use their renewal plan. Some will give season ticket holders discounts for renewing or deals to go along with their tickets. Finally, staying on track in the camping areas will save you if you can split the trip with friends. We travel with others & split the cost of food, gas & camping. With the economy the way it is now days this is a very cheap way to enjoy the races.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 9:08 am
If your going to attend a road course race, the experence is a bit different than an oval track. Like everyone says above bring fluids, stay cool, camp at the track if you can. I enjoy getting here early and setting up my camp and then we will walk the entire track to watch the cars enter each different corner during practice, It’s very interesting to do since you can not see the entire track during the race. You really get to see the different things that are going on when you walk the track. I have attended CUP races at road courses at Sears Point, Riverside and many years ago Laguna Seca. We had the most fun at Laguna Seca. I wish the CUP guys would race there again. It was a trip watching them go through the cork screw.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
I would deffinately check with the track and make sure your carry in bag meets their requirements. My last trip to MIS was spoiled greatly when the bag containing our lunch and drinks was not allowed inside the track. Trying to cram drinks and such into your other bags stinks.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 11:01 am
This has been mentioned multiple times, but it bears repeating with the summer months coming up: sun screen, sun screen, sun screen! The burn sneaks up on you when you’re at the track, and before you know it you’ve been sitting in the sun for more than four hours.
Lots of water. You’ll have to buy the other refreshments at the track, but most places allow you to bring plastic water bottles into the facility. Use the opportunity, you’ll save quite a bit of money
Speaking of which, check size restrictions for bags before you leave for the track. You don’t want to be the guy who has to turn around at the security checkpoint to return some oversize items to the car!
Good walking shoes. Race tracks are big places, and if you want to explore the track just a little bit (sometimes the merchandise haulers are pretty far away and all over the place!) you’ll easily have walked several miles. Once again, the distance sneaks up on you.
Ear plugs. That’s why you go to the track in the first place, right? To finally hear and feel the cars as they go by. Well, they’re loud!
Sure, you can easily buy ear plugs at the track, but at your first race you probably won’t notice the need for ear plugs until the cars are already going around the track – and now you’re standing in line instead of watching the race!
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Go early and visit the sale trailers. They are awsome fun and you can get some bargains if you look for them. If you take a cooler, have some sandwiches in it. You will save time and money. Some of the concessions are very time consuming. And don’t get loud and boistrous in your seat. Other fans take a very dim view of these actions and will deal with such antics.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
Am I the only one who remembers how to use a stop watch? Seat cushion, towel for the back of your neck.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 11:53 am
My husband has been a few times to Louden and each time he learns something new to bring…
Sunscreen, a hat or money to buy one, an extra pair of sunglasses so when the guy behind you spills beer all over your head you can change you glasses (happened twice), water…even if you never usually drink it..keep it in the car, earplugs because after a while you start to really want some muffled race sounds.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
watch the weather forecast. race tracks always seem to be hotter and colder that what the temp says. dress in layers if days starts out cool but will warm up, that way you can shed some skin. be prepared to sit “up close and personal” to the people around you. seats are tight, so if your seats are near end of the row, you’ll have traffic most of the day, from either people leaving your row, or people going up and down the stairs. sunscreen #1 (i got sun poisioning one year at ‘dega, chap stick or a lip balm. even if it’s a cloudy or breezy day, use sunscreen. wind burn is just as bad as sunburn!!! hat is good too. patience, especially when leaving the race, cause everyone leaves at the same time, where as they don’t arrive at the same time. water, water, water. i was at ‘dega a few years ago for testing, and i swear i drank 20 oz of water every 30 min cause it was so hot and humid, but didn’t go to the bathroom that much, as i sweated it all out. if there’s any prediction for rain, stop at walmart and get a poncho. besides food and snacks, i always take an extra grocery bag to put trash in, that way it doesn’t end up getting airborne. majority of people i’ve been around at race are nice. if you have children, be aware that the language around you might not be rated “pg”.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
OK so everyone tells you what to bring, I’m going to tell you what not to bring. That’s a boat load of money. Save your coin and buy your tickets off of fans with extras. Not scalpers, but there are always groups that not everyone could make it. Just hold up a finger, or two, or three and make reasonably low offers. The unused ticket is worth zilch to them after they go thru the turnstiles. No joke, our average daily ticket cost for (5) at Daytona Speedweeks in Feb ’09 for Th-Sat was a record low $14.67. Been doing it for 9 years running.
Go to the support races (Truck, Nationwide, GrandAm, etc), they offer the best bang for the buck, you still get to see Cup cars on track for Happy Hour, but don’t have to sit thru 490 to see a 5 mile shootout and traffic race afterward. Always room and cheap tickets available for Fri and Sat.
Buy some Subway and chips “to go” while en route to the track for a cheap and tasty lunch. Bring your own beer and pop, but make sure it’s cans or plastic and no glass. Gotta bring peanuts!
For you backpackers that have had to leave your pack behind, simply put you bp in a clear plastic bag to get thru the gate. Once in…simply wear your bp the way it was meant to be worn. Works every time…
Bring seat cushion, scanner frequencies, a starting line-up, a pen and some singles($). Now I’m not suggesting you gamble, but……get a group together and set up a driver draft. Pick the winner and win the jackpot, pick the ½ way leader, 1st car out, etc and win a bonus. This makes the race exciting even before the last lap. And you just might make some new friends and enough to buy and t-shirt…
Lastly, do bring binoculars and watch the pit stops “you” want to see and the duels deeper in the pack, not what TV wants to show you. Don’t bother looking for Digger though, as he is only a fictitious character living in the mind of some FOX executive and a lame attempt to dumb-down the followers of the sport.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Like has been stated many times before – water, water, water! But, instead of loading down your backpack w/ ice (gets VERY heavy after awhile!), simply freeze a third of your bottles the night before and pack them all together on race day. Your water will stay cold and you’ll have more to drink as they thaw.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
These suggestions are for the person attending a race for just one day.
I know this may sound a bit crazy, but instead of attending a cup race for your first, why not attend a Nationwide or Truck series race first. Depending on the venue, non-cup days can potentially be an excellent value. Look at the schedule from Saturday at California in the spring – multiple practices and qualifying, the Nationwide race, then the Truck race. Now that’s bang for the buck! It will also be less crowded, giving you more room to sit/stand.
Try to bring in as little as possible – remember that everything you bring in you have to lug around with you all day.
Don’t drink beer. There, I’ve said it. On a hot day, it just forces your body to dry itself out more than it already will be in the 90 degree heat. Plus, the extra trips to the restroom gets old (because they’re not always the cleanest places in the world). You will also have to drive home in very heavy traffic right after the race ends – not a good idea after a bunch of brews.
Bring a cooler with food and beverages with you to LEAVE IN THE CAR. This way there will be food waiting for you when you get back to the car to leave. And while tailgating after the race is a great idea, having to pack up that red-hot hibachi you’ve just barbecued on is bad. I use a Coleman camp stove instead – much smaller and cools off almost instantly. Also, don’t be in a huge rush to leave after the race – the traffic will be just awful.
And lastly, GET THERE EARLY. Between watching the teams on pit road through the fence, scrounging through the souvenir rigs, autograph sessions, the Speed stage, driver meet-and-greets outside the speedway, and the on-track stuff there is plenty to do all day. Like a 9AM to the end of the last race long day.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Let’s see. Refreshments – go easy, the restroom lines are long, you’ll miss many laps. Don’t be fooled by a friend or brother into forgoing beer because of the lines and then be coerced into tequila and Jack #^&%& to save restroom trips. You won’t miss as many laps – but you may not remember that you’ve even been to a race! (P.I.R. spring of 2008). Thanks Bill and Russ
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Another suggestion check out the track, racing team and your favorite drivers webs sites, nothing more annoying than wandering around and getting to a trailer and reading the drivers appearances and realizing your favorite was just there 20 minutes ago.
Can’t be said enough SUN SCREEN, find a friend to put in on your back if that’s where the sun is shining. Try to get seats high enough so you can see a lot of the track. Be prepared to walk and if steps are a problem call the track there may be seats that are elevator accessible and are still good seats.
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
For the best overall race experience…camp! Now, if you are looking for a quiet weekend….don’t camp. Be prepared to see some of the most bizarre stuff you have ever seen and you will meet some of the best people in this country.
Keep your race day pack as slim as possible. I have a clear back pack that can be purchased at any track and fit all of my stuff in it; scanner, seat cushion(this is affixed to one of the straps), etc. Your hands stay free so that you can wave at all the people you think you met the night before!!!!!
on Mar 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Sunscreen & hat. Also, I have a ‘race bag’…clear bag with straps, easier to manage than a backpack but I don’t know where to buy them now–mine came a discount store. Also–drink a lot of water early *before* the race…then you will be hydrated and not have to drink so much *during* the race and leave to wait in a long rest room line. Drinking a lot of alcohol only makes you act like a jerk and have to get up 30 times in a race.
Go to the website and read *carefully* what you are allowed to bring. All tracks are different and they WANT you to know the rules. Too many clueless people make security lines longer and their own experience more miserable. Not every place allows backpacks, even clear ones (at least, that used to be the case.)
Go early–we like to see what goes on in the garage & souvie areas before things get too busy on raceday or Saturday , depending on the race. Even if you don’t have autograph tickets, you can watch the drivers sign for others and talk to the crowd, and you can get good photos. Also, some communities have a ‘race night’ type of deal where there are autographs and show cars, etc. Bring a clear plastic bag for freebies just in case. As for the tailgating after the race–I have found that getting in line to leave is no different than waiting to leave–my exit time was the same, as long as you don’t mind sitting in traffic. But that largely depends on the track you’re at.
It depends on the track, but I never eat track food–too expensive. Bring sandwiches and granola bars, etc. Cheaper and easier (this would be Dover, Richmond, Watkins Glen). You can always have a bigger meal earlier or later. I get that some tracks don’t allow them (greedy SOB’s.) I love my scanner, but if you don’t have one, earplugs for the reasons others have mentioned.
Neon, there are groundhogs at Watkins Glen…real ones. Squirrels, etc…Pocono has deer & rabbits. But I don’t think I’ve seen Digger, lol.
on Mar 5th, 2009 at 11:24 am
If you are going to be attending the races for the weekend, I suggest doing your souvenir shopping on Friday and or Saturday. That way you don’t have to lug your purchases around all day Sunday. Also there is a bigger crowd on Sunday so no need to add to the crowd. If you are only there on Sunday go early do the shopping and bring it back to the car.
I would also take a sense of humor with you. Remember there are 43 drivers so there are fans of all 43 of them. It’s not like a ball game where there are ony 2 teams to pick from. Not every one is going to like your driver. Lighten up, take the ribbing and rib their driver back. It’s all fun!
All of my other suggestions have been pretty much been posted. Sun screen, water, camera and scanner. Oh, my advice on scanners, I program my channels by the driver car number. I start with most of them on scan. As they drop out I lock out their channels. I also program the MRN frequency as it is very hard to hear at most tracks over the roar of the cars. If you program the TV or MRN coverage into the scanner the addes bonus is when they go to a commercial you don’t heat the commercial but the back and forth banter. I have heard some pretty good stuff during commercials!!
Have fun!
on Mar 6th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Parking: Do not attempt to get that prime parking space right outside the grandstands. The rule is simple…the closer you park to the track the longer it takes for you to get out. It is far better to park and walk a mile to the race track. After the race, you will walk past 100,000 fans who got a closer parking place than you did, but are now waiting for all those fans and other cars to get out of the way.
Pit Passes: If you get pit passes, try to go to the pits on qualifying days, while the drivers are qualifying. It is much less crowded in the pits on qualifying days, the drivers and crews are usually more willing to talk and sign autographs, etc. Also, as the drivers qualify, the current pole sitter and the top two or three drivers will park somewhere on pit road, get out of their car, and talk with SPEED reporters. After their interviews, they’ll sometimes talk to fans and sign autographs. Since the “current” pole sitter gets knock off by a “new” pole sitter, you cycle through 5-10 drivers that follow this process. Between Cup, Nationwide, and Trucks, you might fill up an autograph book in one weekend.
on Mar 11th, 2009 at 6:56 am
When we go to Talladega we make sure to have good walking shoes, turn 4 parking, ice chest w/ snacks and water, ear plugs, sun screen and a tailgating group for after the race. It’s way more fun to sit by the blvd. fence and watch the traffic instead of being in it. We usually wait for the haulers to roll out, then we go.
on Apr 13th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
If your are going to Vegas race Lucky 7 parking is a good purchase. For whatever reason Vegas track takes several hours to empty. Also rent or purchase Fan-View makes rain delay, bathroom breaks, having to deal with drunk friends more bearable. (TV strapped around your neck makes you a line favorite) If your are a Sprint customer or ONMC member huge discounts are available to you.