Chicagoland speedway...

[Scott K]

I went to my first nascar race this past weekend. We left early friday morning, got down there to watch some of the qualifyings, then watched a practice race, and a 100 lap sprint car race. We had pit passes went in to the pits on friday. We went back to the race track saturday morning, we didnt have tickets to the bush race, so we walked along the consessions for a few hours. Then left and hit a casino for a few hours. Sunday we were at the track by 8am, went back to the pits, had a good time. We got to see alot of neat stuff that we never would have seen. Race started 3pm or so, watched what I thought was a boring race, good thing it went fast. The race got over about 6pm, we couldnt leave our parking spots until 10 pm, we then drove home. One of the major interstate highways leaving the race, someone decided this would be a good weekend to close a lane of traffic to re tar it. That added another hour to our drive. I got home at 8 am monday, then worked all day.

My oppinion of my first race.

I liked all the outside the stands activities, tailgating was fun as normal. Pit was cool! The race was boring, I would have rather watched it on tv. I was told by others, that this is a boring track to watch, so I should go to another race to make up my mind.

What tracks would you guys recommend? I was told talladega, daytona. but what others?

[harvey lee]

Bristol. I have had many friends go there and said they enjoyed it.

[Sifty]

I would second Bristol. I had a chance to go a couple of years ago and had to make a late cancellation. It still bugs me.

Sifty

[Coach Dog]

The short tracks are sopposed to be good. I bet if the Chicago race was a COT race, it would ave been better. The cars got spread out so quick and there wasn't a lot of passing going on. I think the COT would have bunched things up a little better as we've seen so far this year.

[Harmonica Bear]

I got a couple friends who have hit most of the tracks on the circuit and they swear up and down Richmond is the place to watch a race. I'd have to think the Bristol night race would be great as well.

[Scott K]

Thanks I will have to try another track sometime, I heard bristol being a good one because of the crashes. It was hard for me to follow this race, after 30 laps the cars were laping, so it was hard to keep track of cars passing another. It looked to me in the middle of the race everyone just got comfortable where they were, and just drove, not raced. It would be nice to have a little rolling icon across the top to find out where everyone was, the pole was a little hard to see, and it wasnt always correct. I think the bristol track might be the next on my list.

[jbell1981]

Another vote for Bristol. I have family who has been to Michigan, Indy and Bristol. They all said Bristol was the best and would go again.

[lawdog]

The night race in Bristol was everything it was made out to be. Simply an incredible event. I'm a big short track guy, Richmond and Martinsville are on my short list of "go to" tracks. So are Darlington and Daytona though (for the tradition).

I've been to Michigan, Kansas and Vegas in addition to Bristol.

[Uncle Bill]

Been to Talladega 6 times. Always camped (Rv or tent) in the infield. Arrive on Thursday, leave on Monday. No traffic. Sitting in the stands would be OK, but you miss the Tallegeda "experience".

Been to Chicago Land once (last year). Again, camped (RV only, no tents) infield. Arrive on Thursday, leave on Monday. No traffic, and despite the fact that gordon won, I had a great time.

The whole "experience" is what makes it a great time. If you have more time, take in a whole weekend of racing. I would compare it to taking in a weekend of fishing vs trying to get on and off the lake on a Saturday.

Also been to Kansas speedway for the Busch race only. Drove down there Friday, stayed in a motel 50 miles out, drove back home after the Saturday race. Again, had a great time.

Never found a race to be boring. Always worth the price of admission. From my experience, I would reccomend Talladega.

Mabey boring on TV, but it's the 8th wonder of the world to be right there. My friends have been to Michigan, Bristol, Vegas, and Daytona as well. Their favorites would be Bristol, or Daytona.

Many tracks I would like to visit. Next on my wish list is February race at Daytona.

A weekend of fishing or a weekend of racing. Gotta love em both!!

Go Kenseth !

Go Walleye !

[BassNBeer]

Hello everyone, first post! Love the forum...anyways..

I went to my first race at chicagoland as well. I thought it was great. You cant buy a bad seat there, any seat you can see the backstretch from. I had alot of fun, lots of autographs etc...

Watching races on TV vs real life is always alot different. I would rather watch on tv to know whats going on more, but to be there and feel the thunder is what its about. As far as traffic outta there, we were out in less then 45 minutes, bad luck you had. Personally, chicagoland only enhanced my nascar expirience, didnt hurt it any.

[harvey lee]

BassNBeer

Welcome to fishing Minnesota and the NASCAR forum. You will see in time that we do have alot of fun here. Glad to have you with us.

[Sifty]

BassNBeer nice to have join Fishing Minnesota.

We look forward to your imput on the NASCAR fourm.

Sifty

[eagle_3464]

If you haven't been to the Daytona 500, you need to experience it because of all the hype that goes with the event itself. Be prepared for a crowd and crowded interstates.

Michigan I have no desire to go back. Just sort of a boring race.

Charlotte I would deffinately go back. It's a nice track with great racing. Plan to spend the whole week and visit the race shops and all the raceweek activities in downtown Charlotte.

Bristol is the other race I have been to and of those I have been to I would rank Bristol as #1. I would recommend camping at one of the nearby campgrounds which I have done several times. Last year we stayed at a hotel and it just wasn't the same even though the racing was still great. I have season tickets for Bristol and will not be giving up those rights any time soon. I do usually sell the spring race tickets and every other year the fall night race. Just can't afford to go every year. Anyone interested in going to Bristol let me know.