Went to Texas this year - and loved it!

[carracing]

We are becoming increasingly disappointed in our "home" track (California's Auto Club Speedway) so we've been adding travel dates to our schedule in hopes of finding new tracks that we enjoy more and would therefore be "worth" the cost of attending a race.

For the last 5 years we've been hitting the Daytona 500 - just the Sunday event, not the whole shebang. It's been fantastic - the first time we went it was like walking "back in time" to an old track from back in the day. The fans are great, we got the venue figured out - it will definitely stay on our list as long as we can afford it.

We tried Phoenix (the parking situation was hell - but the track was pretty cool) and Vegas (OMG - don't get me started on the exit situation) in the past - but this year we decided to fly into Texas for the November race. It was awesome!

The parking situation should be STUDIED and COPIED by every other track - California, Phoenix and Vegas could all get a clue from Texas. The fans were fantastic - a great crowd full of energy without the negativity and angry drunkeness that we've seen at other tracks. In fact, the people of Texas were fantastic - everyone from the folks @ the airport to our hotel, the restaurants and the car rental staff. We got the "cheap seats" since it was pretty last minute, but being part of the crowd was definitely a positive experience.

Anyone have any other suggestions on tracks we should try? We're currently considering Talladega (the fall race) and the Coca-Cola 600.

[ms0362]

Glad to hear you like it. I live near the track and have gone to all the events. I agree, compaired to other tracks Texas parking is the best. Daytona and Indy are the worst parking I've been to. Suggestions for other tracks: For good racing go to Atlanta. You can sit in turn 3 and save some cash compaired to the front stretch. Charlotte is good. The turn 2 grandstands are very good.

[colinspooky]

Well, I hate you both

[Fred Basset]

We are becoming increasingly disappointed in our "home" track (California's Auto Club Speedway)

"Becoming" increasingly disappointed? How much more of the two worst races on the Nascar schedule that happen to be at the same track can you take? I admire you for your patience :up:

Darlington rocks as does Richmond and Dega imo :)

[blakebeatty]

i beyond highly reccomend charlotte. if parking is a concern, there is a 8 lane road bordering the parking lot on one side, and I-85 (i think) freeway on the other (slightly up speedway blvd). The beauty of charlotte is all of the race shops. to see where the cars are built is unbelievable. See raceshoptours.net. best 85 dollars you will spend. You will see the longest race in Cup and Busch, and there is also usually world of outlaws sprint cars at the dirt track.

[Fred Basset]

i beyond highly reccomend charlotte. if parking is a concern, there is a 8 lane road bordering the parking lot on one side, and I-85 (i think) freeway on the other (slightly up speedway blvd). The beauty of charlotte is all of the race shops. to see where the cars are built is unbelievable. See raceshoptours.net. best 85 dollars you will spend. You will see the longest race in Cup and Busch, and there is also usually world of outlaws sprint cars at the dirt track.

That is not always a good thing :mark:
I normally nap beween laps 200 and 300 when i'm at Darlington :dog:

[tstran17_88]

We are becoming increasingly disappointed in our "home" track (California's Auto Club Speedway) so we've been adding travel dates to our schedule in hopes of finding new tracks that we enjoy more and would therefore be "worth" the cost of attending a race.If you could, please throw any tips my way about Auto Club. I was thinking about driving down there when I'm in Vegas again next October. Thanks!

I've never had a problem getting out of the parking lot at Phoenix, but we have always used the handicap parking since my Mom was there with us. I'm sure that's the key because you're not the first I've heard complain about it.

I've also heard many horror stories about Vegas and if I ever do decide to go up there for the race, I'm thinking I may just do one of the casino packages where they charter a bus to the track.

P.S. Atlanta, Lowe's & Richmond are great tracks as well. Bristol, if you can get the tickets for face, is a great track as well. I wasn't too overly impressed with Dega when I was there.

[TexasRaceLady]

Talladega traffic is hellish. Bristol traffic is hellish. Atlanta can be hellish if you don't know the back side of the track.
Charlotte can be a pain in the butt. Dover can be a pain. M'ville is not much bettter.

However, having been to all those tracks, I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Your best bet to avoid the driving/parking --- find a good tour that takes care of hotel rooms and does all the driving.

[carracing]

If you could, please throw any tips my way about Auto Club. I was thinking about driving down there when I'm in Vegas again next October. Thanks!

The only tip I can give, sadly, is don't bother. I think I'd rather brave the traffic from hell that is Vegas before I'd go to another California race. We were thinking about trying out the '09 fall race just to see if they've improved, but our experiences at other tracks and hearing from other fans have convinced us to just throw in the towel all together.

If you are going to go though I would suggest getting there really early and bring a cooler - not for tailgating or anything - but for while you're sitting in the parking lot post-race waiting for highway patrol to pull their thumb out of you-know-where so everyone can get home. That - and bring a lot of cash - it ain't cheap in California.

[Mark in Oshawa]

And people with NASCAR and Auto Club Speedway wonder why they cant draw fans......and a guy from SoCal is willing to travel all over the continent to avoid the damned place!!! Might as well bulldoze the joint and start over....

[tstran17_88]

Bristol traffic is hellish.

If you know some of the back roads, Bristol is real easy to get out of. We stay north of the track in Virginia though. I'm guessing anyone staying in the vicinity of Knoxville, it's probably a mess. We had to head that way once out of handicapped parking before we could head north again.

[tstran17_88]

but for while you're sitting in the parking lot post-race waiting for highway patrol to pull their thumb out of you-know-where so everyone can get home. That - and bring a lot of cash - it ain't cheap in California.Sounds like they need get Ponch & Jon back on the force!

I feel your pain though...Chicagoland is the closet track to me, but I go to both Michigan races instead.

[jeffmr2]

Well i must be in a minority who thinks the california speedway is a great place,i was there for the "rainfest" weekend this feb.ive only been to 6 tracks but its as good as anywhere ive been.Great facility,impressive clean stands,great view of the track,no big queues at food stands,got to meet that Miss Sprint cup lady :) ,zz top,george thorogood,someother local cool rockbands,motorbike stunt displays,it was great just cheking this out let alone the racing.I know the race leader tends to get away from the pack but there was always some amazing close battles further down the field and loads of 3 wide action.If not in 2009 i'll definatly be there in 2010.
Incidentally i stayed at a crappy cheap motel but only like 1 1/2 from the track so i walked each day so no traffic problems for me,got a bit wet a couple of times tho lol!!
Anyway just thougt i'd stick up for the place.
Oh yeah and when Kyle Busch won the truck race he had big chears as well so californians really appreciate the best drivers.

[tstran17_88]

Oh yeah and when Kyle Busch won the truck race he had big chears as well so californians really appreciate the best drivers.

To be fair...it was before he spun out "The Pied Piper of Nascar" at Richmond. He was dubbed the dirtiest & cockiest driver ever by all the town’s mice and children after that little incident.

[Mark in Oshawa]

tstran, regardless of one's opinion of Jr., Busch took great delight in razzing the fans who booed him and pretty much admitted to taking out Jr. on purpose over time, so any abuse he took he pretty much encouraged. Then later in the year, he admitted it got to him. At 23, one has to remember that you cannot switch off the jerk switch and expect the fanbase to follow......he never has been that smart a guy but he sure can drive...