r/NASCAR • u/NASCARThreadBot NASCARThreadBot • 4d ago

Serious NASCAR 101 and Track Attendance Questions - April 2025

Welcome to this month's NASCAR 101 and Track Attendance Questions Thread!

NASCAR 101: A thread for new fans, returning fans, and even current fans to ask any questions they've always wanted to ask.

Track Attendance: Any questions related to seats, policies, first time attendees, or advice regarding track attendance!

9 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

1

u/Fairy-Wolf13 20h ago

I was wondering what’s the best track to experience as a first time NASCAR race? I’m a beginner car enthusiast, into cars and customs, as well as Formula One. I went to Formula One Monaco race in 2023. What’s the best NASCAR race track? I should experience as a first timeer?

I am also the only emerging car enthusiast working my circle of friends. My dad and I used to watch NASCAR races when I was a kid/teen, but he is with me in spirit now. I’m open to going alone, or meeting my tribe!

2

u/Smoke96x 7h ago

Depends on your location/willingness to travel. My first NASCAR races were Pocono, where we nearly went every year for both the races since I was a little kid. I was able to see the 2 summer Daytona races over the past 5-6 years and they were incredible. The Daytona venue is truly a first class facility and the racing is amazing. I was able to see my first Daytona 500 in 2023 and I couldn't be more grateful to have gone.

Just always factor in your seating when going to any track, unlike stick and ball sports..., the higher the better in NASCAR.

1

u/Fairy-Wolf13 7h ago

Awesome tip, thanks!

2

u/stovetopapple Berry 8h ago

I went to the Daytona 500 this year and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

1

u/Fairy-Wolf13 7h ago

Def have to experience that track!

1

u/DanoJames 1d ago

Going to Bristol for the Xfinity Race next week and I'm programming my new scanner. I can't find the 17 HMS frequency listed anywhere online. Anybody know it?

2

u/Marsoupious 1d ago

How early should i get the the track with pit/garage passes

1

u/jebr24 1d ago

Canadian here, been going to Michigan since 2022 and hoping to return this year. Curious to see how things are going to play out given all that is going on in the world. Any other Canadians planning on going this year?

1

u/wheelsnipeparty 1d ago

Can someone explain how stage racing works? And the car of tomorrow?

3

u/Potential_Plan_4533 1d ago

The races are broken into 3 stages, at the end of stage 1 and 2 the top-10 earn bonus points 1-10 and the winner wins a Playoff Point for the Playoffs. And Stage 3 is the end of the race where the remainder of the race points are awarded and the winner gets 5 Playoff Points. The Car of Tomorrow was the Gen5 Cup car that debuted in 2007, the main differences were the COT was much bigger than the Gen4 and overall much stricter in terms of what the teams could do to the bodies. They also were taller and safer in the event of a crash, but didn't translate to much good racing and most drivers hated it. Which is ultimately what led to the Gen6 in 2013.

1

u/wheelsnipeparty 1d ago

I want to get into NASCAR- what do I need to know?

2

u/Potential_Plan_4533 1d ago

NASCAR has a good 101 website, good place to start. https://nascar101.nascar.com/

1

u/otherdrno 3d ago

It’ll be my first time for NASCAR this weekend at Darlington. I live nearby so we’ll make it a day trip. Any advice for a first-timer? We went ahead and rented the headset/radio/intercom thing, we have three list of allowed and not allowed stuff, etc. just wondering if there are any other tips to making it a really good time. Looking forward to it!

2

u/Nathan92299 2d ago

Plan to get there a couple hours early at least so you have time to park and to walk up, the Fanzone out in front of the track will have some merch haulers and other sponsor stuff to do.

Leaving can be tricky with traffic so if you plan to stay for the whole race then also plan to probably stick around for a little bit afterwards either waiting in traffic or waiting for traffic to clear. I’m also going to Darlington for my first time but in past experience at other tracks there’s what people refer to as “gypsy tents” which are merch tents owned by random people which are usually still up when the race ends and those are fun to peruse so I’ll often do that while waiting for traffic to clear

1

u/otherdrno 2d ago

Thanks! I didn’t think about finding something to do after to wait for traffic to clear. I was just planning on sitting in traffic. We did get the upgraded parking (on accident because we didn’t know they have free parking).

2

u/Engine-earz 3d ago

Bristol next week! Sunday only. Best place to park for tailgating that's kinda cheap? i/e $20?

1

u/ChevyFan5892448 1d ago

I’d checkout some of the nearby Campgrounds. Earhart Campground is next to the fanzone and they have daily parking rates (I think it’s like $20 a day for the Spring weekend). There’s a couple of others (Farmer Bob & Hicks Whitetop) but I haven’t used either one yet.

1

u/LearningPenguin 3d ago

Would anyone know of any good places to sell my tickets to the upcoming Bristol cup race? I can't go anymore as my ride backed out. I have two tickets in section JJ-C and was looking at $100 for both.

2

u/bigmeech99 4d ago

Going to Darlington for the first time Sunday. I see there's 7 "Nascar Alumni" autograph sessions on their event schedule. Any information on who might be signing and when?

Also what's the traffic situation like? How hard is it to head back north to Charlotte?

1

u/otherdrno 3d ago

I don’t know the answer to your question (sorry) but I’m going to Darlington for the first time this weekend too! Is it your first race (it is for me), or just your first time at Darlington? I’ve driven that route to Charlotte a lot and it’s easy peasy most of the time, but I’ve never driven it after a race. Sorry I can’t help with that. Have fun!

1

u/Haunting_Athlete_457 4d ago

Howdy, I’m going to the race at Texas Motor Speedway with a big group of friends in May. Does TMS allow tailgating in the grass lots? We’d love to pop up some canopies and hang out before the race.

1

u/Potential_Plan_4533 4d ago

Yes they do!

1

u/rabidcobalt 4d ago

I see there are tickets available for the party deck at Bristol. I can’t find it anywhere on the seating map, what and where is the party deck?

1

u/Potential_Plan_4533 4d ago

I have not seen or heard of that, do you have a link?

1

u/rabidcobalt 4d ago

https://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/events/food-city-500/tickets/

It’s under the “college tickets” section.

1

u/Potential_Plan_4533 3d ago

Ah okay, for only $35 I would guess they are really low in the corners. I'd call the track and ask though.

1

u/rabidcobalt 3d ago

Fair enough. Appreciate it.

1

u/DrewCrew62 4d ago

Going to my first race at New Hampshire on September. Was wondering:

How early do you normally arrive before race start?

When do teams normally announce meet and greet opportunities? I see that bubba does a decent amount of stuff at McDonald’s or Columbia sports, and we’ll be up there a few days before the race. I’d love to show up for something like that for any of my guys if possible.

New Hampshire specific: how bad is the traffic going north? I’m staying in Laconia, and I know southbound traffic is a hellscape from what I’ve heard from folks who’ve attended. Hoping the northbound traffic isn’t as awful

1

u/Eleazars01 Chastain 4d ago

I have tickets for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington next weekend. I also paid for upgraded parking, but it just says turn 2 and looking on the map I’m not sure where the lot is. Any help?

1

u/otherdrno 3d ago

It’s off Harry Byrd highway and you turn on a street called Raceway drive or something very similar. I am in the exact same place as you and called them yesterday.

2

u/ar51501998 4d ago

I am wanting to plan a trip to Homestead Miami next year. What are the best sections for seating? and what are some things or restaurants in the area to check out?