I Need a NASCAR Primer

I have found myself in possession of two NASCAR tickets for tomorrow evening's race. I do not know ANYTHING about NASCAR.

I was going to give these tickets away or ask someone if they wanted to buy them, but since going to a car race has never been an experience that I've had .... well, everyone should try something once!

Reading the official website has been helpful but it's not telling me much. These are seated tickets and not bleacher ones, if that makes a difference.

What's the scoop about the driving time to get there? Is there a lot of traffic beforehand? I've heard there is a ton of walking and it's noisy. Could a few of you tell me what to expect?

So far, I'm not overly excited about going. Tomorrow, though, my feelings may be different!

Thanks!
Elisabeth

Everybody needs to go to once. You can't describe it. It has to be experienced. The speed is what got me the most. Then it was all the fun the fans had before and after the race. Take something for the sun and earplugs.

This race is at night so the sun will not be a problem. Do make sure and take ear plugs.

I used to have session tickets but it got to be a hassle so I stop getting them, You will need to go about 3 to 4 hours early are the traffic is just to bad.

When the race is down to the last 3 to 6 laps get up and start making you way to your car otherwise it will take you from 2 to 6 hours to get out of there.

The nose is loud but not to bad, And most people go to see the wrecks.

You should go a least one time in you life, it should be fun even if you don't like racing.

As for driving depended on were your coming from 114, 35 north are 156 Thu Justin.

If you go with a man you could have a blast after the race when your stuck in traffic going 1 to 3 miles per hour reach over and start rubbing and teasing him, then go down and give him a BJ, are you drive and let him lick the kitty that would be interesting, Did you say you need someone to go with you, To heck with the race lets go drive around slow.

Have fun Elisabeth you should have a good time.

The Rules are pretty simple... Go FAST TURN LEFT...

Two working parts on a race car...the Steering Wheel, and the Gas Pedal.. Lay one on the floor, Crank Like Hell on the other one... and don't back off either one until you smell blood and hear metal grind... Easy...

You will have a blast... With the good seats, a cheap pair (59cent) foam ear plugs may be handy...

EW,

Go. Enjoy it. Enjoy the experience. Make a day of it. Get there early, sure to be lots of things to see. Earplugs, yes. Traffic, probably will be quicker when leaving to take I35W north to Denton and then come back down I35E to get home.

Last time I went (worked the races) I took I35W north to some podunk exit, took it over to US 377, and then came back down south to the N Fort Worth area. Bet it shaved at least an hour off of my trip home.

Of course, in your case, you might be able to get an invite to one of the RVs for the night. Might require a little bedtime story for some racecar fan, but when you leave at sun up the traffic should be better.

TC

EW,

Go. Enjoy it. Enjoy the experience. Make a day of it. ...

Of course, in your case, you might be able to get an invite to one of the RVs for the night. Might require a little bedtime story for some racecar fan, but when you leave at sun up the traffic should be better.

TC Originally Posted by tigercat

LOL. I wouldn't mind telling a bedtime story and doing a little tucking in, but since I have decided at the last minute to actually go, I'll probably drag my son along.

If I go alone, all bets are off. There will be very few boundaries. Grin.

Thanks for the suggestions. Tomorrow? Earplugs.

One friend suggested that I bring a cooler. I do not drink alcohol but I can get really thirsty in the heat. If it's even that hot tomorrow. I cannot fathom carrying around a cooler for a long time. Are the beverages THAT expensive?

What are your thoughts about carrying in food and drink? I was told people do that. (I'm sure that they do on the RV's!)

Elisabeth

Like any other sporting event, if you buy anything you will get fucked. Some of the food is really tasty. Lot of folks take a cooler and food. I'm like you I do not want to keep up with it. If you run out of money ATM's are everywhere you look out there.

Elisabeth
Did you make it out to the race? What are your thoughts?

Yes, I did go.

I was really surprised at how HUGE the whole race track and area was. I had been warned but it really was one of those "you have to see it to believe it" type of things.

We got there fairly early, it was already packed with people when we arrived, found a parking space (another surprise. free parking!) and started walking.

I really enjoyed the large trucks that opened up to sell shirts, earplugs (bought some for $2.00 that were fairly useless), hats (got my first ever baseball-type cap) and other stuff. It was fun looking at everything.

The before racing activities were interesting for someone who had never seen anything like this before. I found myself asking a lot of questions to people around me. Which leads me to probably the best thing about the race overall.

I really liked the people. Everyone was friendly. It's not like the symphony or an afternoon tea where often people really don't even recognize or attempt to be friendly to others around them.

I got a cap and started a conversation with the vendor. The $20 sunglasses that I bought she sold them to me for $10 without me asking for a discount. The lady selling lemonade was sweet.

When I asked my son stupid plebeian questions about the cars and racing, others around us would turn around and just start talking about it as well.

I felt completely safe in this environment for the most part. Salt of the Earth types and yes, redneckie types, but I LIKE that so it didn't bother me.

The start of the race had me standing and yelling out. Seeing fighter jets flying over the area was awe inspiring!!! Seeing those cars GO SO FAST was just wild!!! It really was fun. And the drivers all looked young, which was another small surprise. I would have thought an older group of guys, who might have more experience, would have made up the bulk of the drivers. But they seemed to all be in their 20's and 30's. I think so, anyway. I might be wrong.

Overall, it was a really good experience. After one crash, another car having some sort of mechanical problem and about 50 or more rounds around the track, I was ready to go home and I didn't wish to fight traffic.

The strangers that I was sitting around were shocked that we were leaving early. It wasn't THAT early, maybe an hour in the race. While walking outside, someone asked if I wanted to sell my tickets.

Sure. Smile. So all was really good. I'm smiling with a faint sunburn on my cheeks. Would I go again? Probably, if asked. I certainly wouldn't have the "Good GOD what am I about to do?" feeling that I had before going to the race.

Overall, it was really a great experience!!!

I sincerely appreciate everyone's input. I would have possibly NOT attended if there hadn't been such good advice, etc.

Warmly,
Elisabeth

Glad you had a good time. I have season tickets and go all the time. I love it.

I'm gald you went & had fun EW! I have been to a very small track a few times but never a big Nascar race, yet.
&
I agree there is a big difference between the crowd at a race, and the symphony both can be fun but as different as night and day.

Glad to see you had fun.

Elisabeth, and to others who have not yet been in person as well... I have always been more of an Indy car person, but am enjoying NASCAR the more I watch it. I highly recommend the June Indy car race, as it typically only draws about 90K fans. I travel up 35E & then go south on 35W. I have been to 4 of these, and even waiting until the end of the race, it literally only takes about 15 minutes to get back to 35W and on your way home. The Indy cars go about 20 to 30 mph faster and the race is 550K (less than 350 miles), so it only lasts 2 to 2.5 hours or so.

EW I am glad you had a good time! I love going to the races... Well I moved here from NC so would you expect anything else. The people are always real friendly and their are a few older drivers left. But I pull for JR!!