I am currently planning a trip to the good ol' US of A around this time next year.

I have always harboured a represed desire to attend a NASCAR event. However I need some help in deciding which one to attend because I've never even watched an entire NASCAR race before. One of my main criteria would have to be the opportunity to get a good close look at the cars under their skin, if NASCAR has friendly events like this (or maybe a factory visit could be done?). And it would have to be an oval race, for the uniqueness!

Otherwise I'd like to attend PLM but I already watch a bit of sportscar racing in Europe. Wrong time of the year for Pikes Peak too .

Perfectly happy to rent a car and do a bit of driving, but not sure I am interested in heading south to Florida - it sounds like a dump. And don't send me near that place that was in Deliverance either, that was scary.

Can you lot advise or give me some tips?

I want to see them but only on a big oval, Daytona preference. Those small tracks look to be a waste of breathe.

You should take in the best of Sprint Cars too, Outlaws etc. - they run somewhere every weekend.

My two favorite NASCAR races by far are Watkins Glen and Sears Point, great tracks in the nicest parts of the country, but you probably want to see an oval event. Pocono might be good for you, it's a beautiful region and the track is unique. Bristol is unbelievable but I wouldn't recommend it to first-time goers as the crowd is so huge and logistics are difficult. If you don't mind incredible heat and humidity, Talladega 1 or 2 or Daytona in July might be good. The Daytona 500 in February is not a bad bet, really. Fan-friendly, lots to do besides the big race. New Hampshire, Richmond, let's not forget the Brickyard 400. Seeing the Speedway at least once should be on every gearhead's bucket list and the museum is awesome. I haven't mentioned any of the 1.5 mile cookie-cutter tracks, but they wouldn't be cookie-cutter for you as you've never seen them. And really, they do put on a good show: Texas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Kansas City...

I wouldn't worry too much about the Deliverance stuff. Big false stereotype. In reality, Southerners are the warmest and sweetest people you will ever meet... until you meet the wrong ones. Actually, you are probably safer in the South than in many large Northern cities, not that there is a real problem anywhere. You would think from our TV and movies there are daily gun battles, but really the USA is very safe and convenient for tourists, especially if you speak our language which is similar to English in many ways.

EDIT: You might consider Charlotte as it is also home town for most of the teams, and they typically have lots of open houses for the fans and media at their race shops in the Charlotte-Concord-Moorseville area during race week. Many of the race operations have gift shops and fan areas open year-round and if you sport your British accent they will probably give you the star treatment.

I'd shoot for a weekend where there's a triple-header going on. Meaning, Trucks, Nationwide, and Cup all on the same weekend, usually Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday afternoon, respectively. Sometimes there are other series running the same weekend, like ARCA.

Often there's a weekend pass sold for those occasions that is a good deal.

Other than that, I'd just pick by what time of year you're going to be there and the geographical proximity--like if you're going to be on the West Coast, shoot for Fontana or Vegas or Phoenix, if you're in the middle, shoot for Texas or Kansas or Chicago or Michigan, etc.

Since it's going to be your first I don't think which one will make much difference. Once you've been to a few you can start to get picky. That's just my opinion.

There's another guy who did this exact thing, you should see if you can find his thread and get in touch with him.

Good luck, and one final thing--this thread doesn't belong in the Technical forum.

Thanks, I was just looking at the calendar here ( http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-nasc...dules-unveiled/ ) after reading your replies and there's a few on the East Coast in Sept near New York which I think is around the time of the year I'm travelling. Two you named McGuire, New Hampshire and Richmond. I will research them.

OLB I intentionally put this in Tech forum because I know there are a few locals here and the other forums I don't visit!

McGuire, Am an Aussie actually but living in UK. I could fake the accent! I was joking about the Deliverance thing - should have put a smiley on it. Just happened to be in my mind as I watched it a few weeks ago.

Many Americans cannot tell the difference. If you go to Talladega, tell them you are from South Britain.

EDIT: or better yet, tell them you came all the way from Australia. They will fling open the doors and give you the guided tour.

I agree with McGuire.

Living in the Deep South, I've sporadically attended NASCAR events for nearly 50 years now. Make your pick based on convenience: when/where you'll be here. Whether road course or oval, every venue has its own personality, and I can't think of one I haven't enjoyed. Just choose one and go, bearing in mind that they don't run in the wet.

My only other recommendation is that while you're here, you scope out an NHRA drag race if possible. I think that any aficionado's spectating portfolio is incomplete without exposure to a Top Fuel dragster.

In either event, bring ear plugs; both NASCAR and NHRA can be painfully noisy!

Hi guys.

I made the trip to the US in 2006, and saw the Indy GP and a truck race in Kentucky (Sparta IIRC). The main reason for seeing the truck race was that Marcos Ambrose was racing.

I am also considering making a trip next year. Possibly to see the Indy 500, which would make the most likely NASCAR events Pocono and the All Stars race at Charlotte. Would love to see one of the short tracks - Brsitol looks awesome. The longer ovals don't seem as exciting to me.

We have, in Tassie, only just recently gained access to some coverage of NASCAR (on free to air TV).

I must admit that I didn't have any difficulties with my accent - except for the girl at the UPS store.

zac510
Be sure to take in a sprint car show if you can at a 1/2 mile dirt track. World of Outlaws. USAC and on the west coast SCRA have good shows. Eldora will blow you away and the "Knoxville Nationals" is a good show [ runs 4 nights in August ]. USAC and on the west coast SCRA had some good shows. I have been to the US twice [from New Zealand] and been realy made very welcome by the racing people, say you are Australian

This question may have been posted on the wrong forum, but what great answers! I had the privelege of seeing the 1983 Indy 500, a fantastic experience, and if I get the chance to return to the USA I will make use of the info and advice on this thread.

I have only been to one NASCAR race and it was at Talladega. It was fantastic.
There is nothing like the atmosphere of being in the front row of the crowd of a NASCAR race in the south. I don't know if it was the chicken bones and beer cans getting thrown over our heads or the singing of the national anthem the whole experience was great.

We did run into a few language problems as they can't quite understand 'strine' but we always managed to get our message understood.

I would do it again if I had the chance.

Thanks for the excellent advice. Got a lot of planning to do but now I've got a few dates to work around.

You want to leave them at home and pick up something choice over there I presume from that comment?

Remember to tell them about our Kangaroo's, Koala's and Drop Bears.

Please contact me with your schedule. I crew chief the # 57 Truck and can get you into the garage areas including cup. We have left, Martinsville, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Miami. Jim

That works out well. If you are headed for New York in September, the Richmond, Dover, and New Hampshire tracks are all in that month and reasonably close to the city. They're all nice facilities, though Richmond typically puts on the best race while New Hampshire tends to be the weakest for overtaking, etc. All are well worth seeing and do a good job of representing the NASCAR spectacle.

Hiya

I was in the US earlier this year and wanted the NASCAR experience and the weekend I was there I went to Bristol but only on the Saturday so the logistics were a lot easier. I did a post on my visit inside this thread Here

Cheers

Gareth

Visit a big track. Given your timing I would recommend Talladega as Daytona will be too late/early. If that does not work, give some thought to Miami; Florida is not that bad.

Stop by if you get to Florida. I'll take you 'gator hunting.

As a Brit who has persuaded his very kind family to go to US races on every US holiday I can say I am sure you will enjoy most oval track racing.

I would add to the recommendations to see a sprint car race if possible. World of Outlaws is best but this year I had to miss the Knoxville Nationals and go to a "regular" race night later at Knoxville but it was still brilliant.

I suppose I will sound a bit " purist/old fashoined" but I think NASCAR has become almost too big/corporate. Please still see it as it a great but if you can go to the sprints as well do so.

NHRA drag racing is also great but, personally, the really unique bit is top fuel/funny car. Once felt ( as in your teeth and stomach get shaken by the noise ) never forgotten. I think they have cut the length down to 1000 ft now versus 1/4 mile but I doubt that diminishes the start line experience.

One last comment from hunting for US races over the years. The racing ( be it NASCAR,WofO, or NHRA), tends to follow the climate. California/Florida in spring and fall as the north is probably frozen up then (!) and across the mid west etc. in the summer. So what you can realistically see is dependent on month + destination.

Just booked flights and will be attending the Richmond round on that iconic September date. I hope it's not too much of a patriotic overload but I am looking forward to a race under lights. Tickets on sale in a few weeks hopefully they do international. Presume the best place to be is in the stand overlooking the pit area?

Now where do I get a hire car with a manual 'box?

Congrats! Please keep us posted. I live in Maryland, near Washington DC, which is about 2.5 hours (or so) north so please feel free to swing by and we'll dine or drink some coffee or something.

Europe.

It's a freaking rental car, get the one that is the best deal. Don't worry about the gearbox.

Just not a Toyota...

I have been to NASCAR races and must admit that I do not enjoy sitting in grandstand or even in the Corp boxes.

Most iof the time you are just too damn far from the cars, have to admit I haven't been to Bristol.

The cars seem smaller than on TV

On the other hand, watching from the pits, good fun!

And I second the thought about seeing top fuel cars!

If you are in the stands you definitely want to rent a scanner with the best headphones they offer. Hot-key one channel to the TV production feed (or radio broadcast) and pick 12 or 15 drivers to scan. When you get to the track, look for the big RE (Racing Electronics) trailers in the vendors' midway.

I've never used the NASCAR version (I think theirs is called FanView) but you can also rent those Kangaroo TV handheld video thingies.

My NASCAR holiday will be in August, with visits to Watkins Glen and Bristol!

I know what you mean George, I prefer smaller national or international events (haven't been to F1 for years) generally but in this case I'll make an exception because I don't think I'll get many other opportunities to see Nascar. So I'll attend like a fan rather than a racing enthusiast

Thanks for the tip McG, I'll be taking big ear defenders too because I'm quite protective of my hearing. Ta.

One reason that I love Trois Rivieres is that there is a spot where you can watch the race from within 22 feet of the apex of the corner!

Good work Wuzack!

I'm in NY on the weekend of the Glen, but don't know if I will head out to the track or not. Is there a way of doing a day trip? I don't want to lose too much time in NY heading out to the race, though it would be pretty cool to see a NASCAR race.

Not sure Lukin.

I believe that me an my mates will be staying a couple of hours from the track.

I guess it all depends on where you are in NY as to whether you can travel to and from Watkins Glen in a day.

It's 255 miles so it would be hard in a day I think. Not sure at the moment.

Hi fellas, I ended up attending Richmond last Saturday night and had a great time. I was quite surprised both by how well the drivers were behaved (no major shunts) but also the overtaking style, how courteous they were. There was almost no swerving or defensive driving, if you got into a passing position on the track the passee just seemed to hold position and the faster car was let past.

And 4 F22s doing a flyby - cool!

I went against McGuire's advice and didn't get the radio scanner but later wished I had. I'd get one next time.

Thanks for everybody's advice, we're glad we attended.

One more thing, I missed the last 6 laps when everybody got up and started leaving and blocked my view! Very discourteous I thought. It's just not cricket, where you don't leave until the end of an over

Did u see the move Denny Hamlin pulled to get in line at the end?

No, I was probably watching Ambrose or some American's behind.

Not to say some dodgy moves don't happen but I was overall surprised by the careful behaviour. I always watch circuit racing so it was a change in many aspects for me.

It also took me a while to work out why RIR were endorsing on tickets the dangerous driving practice of tailgating, even down to suggesting maximum distances. But eventually I worked it out Lost in translation that one!

I mean after the race was over, the drivers (still in their cars) all got in line for some kind of ceremony for 9/11 and Hamlin almost forgot and had to quickly pull around and did a sweet stunt move and pulled an autotest type of 180 move to get in line again.

Another funny lost in translation thing that happened during the race--I was listening to Ekstrom's frequency and his CC advised he could adjust brake bias to try to correct a loose condition on corner entry. Ekstrom was using "anticlockwise" and his crew were using "counterclockwise" and he didn't understand. Finally his CC said "TURN IT TO THE LEFT MATT"