The NASCAR experience?

Question

So I just watched Taladega nights last night and I was just blown away by the amount of people 180,000 at a NASCAR event. I'm not sure if I'll ever go, but could someone accurately describe the live Nascar experience. Does it get boring? What else is there to do? How long is it? What is the traffic like leaving an event that big?

Answer 1

My first NASCAR experience was actually this summer at Chicagoland Speedway, where I did the whole weekend. The first thing I attended was actually Pole Day, where I got to watch practice and qualifying. Practice and Qualifying was fun and everything but there is nothing like the actual race. My first race was the day after Pole Day, which happened to be the Busch race. There is nothing like being in the stands (or even in the Infield if you can be in there like some tracks offer) during the race. It is definitely not boring and you really don't realize how much time goes by while you are sitting in the stands and watching the action.

Before and after the race, there are the merch haulers that you can go check out to buy driver gear as well as sponsor booths/tents that you can check out.

The length of the race depends on a number of factors, including how many miles the race is versus how big the track is, which determines the number of laps. Other factors like weather, cautions, and red flaggings can add onto the length of a race but on average a typical race lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours in length.

Traffic can sometimes be a nightmare when leaving the track. It all depends on how well the people in charge of getting the track flowing and out handle it as well as how many exits and lanes they devote to getting the traffic out. I would suggest making sure you have at least snacks and water or pop in the car and maybe even relaxing and just waiting a little while, watching to see when cars are flowing better to make your move if there doesn't seem to be good flow right away.

Answer 2

I have been a Nascar fan for years and I went to my first Nascar race a couple years ago. I went to the Chicagoland Speedway. It was the best experience of my life. When the cars speed by the stands shake. The sound of the motors is very loud, but that only adds to the excitement.

I went this year in July and it was still electrifying. The crowds are very thrilling they were screaming, booing drivers they don't like, cheering ones the like, and waving at the cars.

I suppose it would be boring if you did not have a driver that you were cheering for. Just watching a bunch of cars going in a tri-oval would be boring. However, when you are watching your driver move through the field or better yet out in front it is thrilling.

The traffic is bad of course there were in my case 70,000 people trying to leave and no one leaves until it the last lap.

It is much better then watching it on TV. There are no commercials. It is even better if you rent a headset from the track this allows you to listen to the drivers as they talk to their crews. You know exactly what is going on with the car.

The best part is when your driver wins. Which is what happened to me at the July race this year. Even though it was a with a slight bump involved. Rubbing is racing.

I love Nascar. It is true that it is not a sport, it is a way of life.

Answer 3

There is nothing like being at a nascar race, the atmosphere etc.
You really need to follow nascar and the points system, have favourite driver(s) etc.
NASCAR never gets boring, but the traffic leaving well.
If you leave as soon as the race is over then yes you will be in a lot of traffic, however most if not all events have live bands playing after the race and tailgate parties where you can hang out most of the night and miss all that traffic.

Answer 4

We have been to Texas Motor Speedway for the last two NASCAR races that are in April and plan to go to the race next year in April. There is NOTHING like that feeling you get when the green flag drops and 43 cars go speeding by! It is loud but it doesn't matter....you just get this feeling inside you like you have never had before! Boring? I don't know how anyone could be bored at a NASCAR race! Traffic is a nightmare but you just have to be patient and relax and have a good time. Once we got out of the parking lot it wasn't too bad getting back onto the interstate to get to our motel room

Answer 5

If you like racing it's and awesome experience!! The sound of the cars rumbling your seat as they drive by, the first thing you smell is racing fuel, then the smell of rubber, and if there's a spin or wreck the sound of skidding tires and crushing metal. As for boring, not if you like racing; I would be bored at a baseball, football, basketball etc. game, I'm just not into that. As for other things to do, there are ton's of souvenir trailers, autograph session (before & after), and alot more depending on the track; like Dover has a casino but then again Pocono is in the middle of nowhere. The lenght of the race depends on the amount of laps, cautions & possibly red flags, but generally lasts from 4 to 5. Traffic again depends on where you go. I found the best way to go if your only going for race day is a bus trip especially if you like to have a few beers or so, and some tracks have seperate routes for buses which speeds up the process. But like anyother major sporting even the traffic unfortunelty usually sucks!

Answer 6

While everyone had good descriptions, it's like trying to describe a sunset to a blind person. The best way is to experience it first-hand. Several things to suggest:

-Find a track and take a tour. Most of the bigger ones have regular tours for only a few bucks and they take you a couple of laps.
-Take a Richard Petty ride-a-long; 3 laps at race speed, or take the driving school where they put you behind the wheel of a real race car.
-Learn all you can about NASCAR and the teams and pick a favorite
-If you want a taste, go to pole night or a Busch race. They're not as crowded.
-Finally, get your tickets, pack your cooler, and go enjoy.

Answer 7

Going to a race is awesome. I've attended a few races at Bristol and it is indescribeble really. The place is huge to begin with. And there is a feeling in the air you can't understand until you are there. Then the race starts and it's non-stop action. As far as traffic, it wasn't too bad actually. There is a 4 lane highway that goes to the interstate. The make 3 lanes plus the turning lane going away from the track, so it really helps. Then you get on the interstate and your gone.

Answer 8

it's never boring. TV doesn't come close to capuring the awesome speed and power of the cars. and wow! it's so loud. you can be sitting way up in the grandstands and would not be able to hear the person right next to you during green flag conditions. as far as the traffic goes, it depends on the track. at bristol, there are 165,000 people and the traffic isn't that bad. at richmond, there are only 110,000 people and the traffic is MURDER. you might as well fire up the grill and wait 2-3 hours for traffic to clear. i saw someone else mention atlanta, and yes, the traffic is horrible there too. same with daytona. martinsville is pretty easy to get out of. darlington and charlotte are about average i guess. those are the only tracks i've been to except for dover and the only time i went there we left early to beat the traffic.

Answer 9

Traffic is bad going and coming. I live 20 mins from Atlanta Motor Speedway. I Go to the race It is alot of fun.I dont care to watch on tv but i love to go.My husband doesnt miss a race on tv. He is a diehard fan. You can cookout before or after the race. There are trailors set up outside the track with shopping,playstation type games,car simulators,lots of food stands,lots of drinking, for most there. Its a fun party like atmosphere.

Answer 10

there is nothing like it is awesome and when hear and feel 43 cars rush by you at 180 plus mph i also to go to Chicagoland and yes it can be frustrating to leave but if you can wait about an hour or so after the race you can get right out...3 interstates a close to their..but i take a back road and the traffic is not to bad!!