Bristol, TN NASCAR race

[moneydawg]

I am attending my very first NASCAR race this week in Bristol. Wondering if anyone here on the pack has been there before and can give me some pointers.

 

[Spotdawg]

There are only 3 things that I could offer as advice to a firstimer--

1. Arrive early -- Traffic is a ***** and if you want to see the first 100 laps, get there in plenty of time.
2. Ear Protection -- I am no weenie, but that track isthe loudest that I have ever been to (and I have been to most short tracks around the country.) Foam earplugs won't do it. I am talking full cover headphone type ear protection. It's even hard to hear with an in-car radio monitoring setup.
3. Be Prepared for a wait -- Getting out of Bristol and then that part of TN with the other 150K fans will take some time. i hope you have an RV or a room nearby.

Otherwise, it is absolutely one of my favorite tracks. The racing there never fails to excite. Have fun.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

1. racing there is real good
2. agree about ear protection
3. when the winner crosses the finish line, we hauled ***. I mean hustle. Got out before a lot of the traffic, because people in obese America generally walk slow.
4. Agree about getting there early. Look around the parking lot, see the pre-race entertainment. It's all worth it.
5. A scanner where you can listen to the radio feed or driver is worth it. It provides the ear protection and gives you good insight into what is happening.</p>

 

[ShaNaNa]

It is the most fun I have had at a race.

I agree the traffic is awful, my suggestion if you like camping check out this place. http://www.avocachristianchurch.org/ It is a church that allows free camping. They have a big place with a large baseball field in the back. It is within walking distance of the track and they have a free shuttle that will take you to the race. They do not say anything about drinking just don't act like to much of an ***. The curch has community showers in their gymnasium and the youth cooks and sells bconcessions that are reasonably priced.We sleptin tents and it got pretty cool at night, it was actually reallypleasant.Everyone that camps there ispretty nice. We hung out with some folks from Ohio all day Saturday. The grounds are first come first serve so just get there and claim a spot.

My favorite thing about thecampground is when you stumble back from the race they youth is selling the leftover burgers and such forabout$.50 a piece.

You will have a blast.

 

[aTotal360]

Here is my advice:<div>
</div><div>1. TAKE EAR PROTECTION!!! Imagine funny cars running for 4 hours straight instead of 5 seconds. Thats how loud it is. Its hard to even explain or even comprehend until you witness it.</div><div>2. The closer you park to the track, the longer you have to wait to get out. Much like any other sporting event. I would plan on tailgating after the race for a few hours.</div><div>3. Take some BC powder because your head is gonna hurt after the race.</div><div>4. Take more ear protection.</div><div>
</div>

 

[Buford T. Justice]

take a small backpack. They are allowed in the track. That will hold earplugs, scanner and headset, camera, binoculars, cellphone, etc. It makes it easy. Of course, you will neverbe ableto use a cellphone after the engines crank.TheFlyoveris usually pretty good. Red Bull skydive team was there when I went. We are not kidding about ear protection. Foam earplugs at a minimum.

 

[moneydawg]

We are actually rolling in on Thursday and already have a camping spot for our RV. Unfortunately we are dry camping so we won't have electric or water or sewer hookups but I will have generators on hand. I have heard about the noise so thanks for the tips.

 

[awalkerdog]

1. Good pair of shoes, your going to be walking your *** off.
2. Ear protection, it's called Thunder Valley for a reason.
3.Stay out of the Jack Daniels tent, it's a night race so pace yourself.
4. Do the track walk Saturday morning, it's with the walk and you can get right by the pits.
5. Anything else you need to know go here: http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/index.html

 

[therightway]

That would ruin a Bristol experience. They actually have a alcohol free section in the stands.

 

[PBRME]

I don't think this has been mentioned yet...ear protection.

Also, take some visine or something for your eyes. You're eyes will be burning after the race.

Take only what is necessary. Don't do like I did and make 3 trips back toyour vehicle parked on the road. You may think you're in shape until you start walking up and down those hills.

Take a jacket. It may be warm during the day, but it gets cold at night.

 

[Guy From Gulfport]

Not in the race. It will be awesome. Every other race will be a disappointment after attending the Fall Bristol race.

My wife's first race was seeing Jr. win the Daytona 500 in 2004. I told her the same thing...


Best NASCAR Event : Daytona 500
Best NASCAR Race : Fall Bristol night race

 

[Guy From Gulfport]

TAKE A CAMERA!!! You'll see some things that your friends would not believe existed, otherwise. Bigfoot & the Loch Ness Monster will probably both be in attendance.

 

[State82]

Everybody else pretty much covered the basics. The only way you may get by without earplugs is if you happen to be at or very near the top of the stands. Otherwise, plug them up. My favorite line about racing at Bristol is from Rusty Wallace. He said it was like flying fighter jets inside a gym.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

TAKE A CAMERA!!! You'll see some things that your friends would not believe existed, otherwise.

I was in line getting something to drink before the race. When I turned around there was one of the hottest women I have ever seen. She was wearing a tightblack shirt. She was evidently a Matt Kenseth fan because it had 17 written on it in yellow (he was driving the Dewalt car). Her tits were so freaking huge and the shirt was so tight that the 1 and the 7 had stretched about sixinches apart. I wanted totake a picture.

 

[beyourowndawg]

...having to yell at the person sitting next to you in order to communicate as loud.</p>

 

[moneydawg]

Thanks for all the pointers. I am fired up about this event. I am hoping to see some of the nice scenery some of you guys have mentioned. I think we are on the 42nd row at start/finish line. My tickets were $160.00 and was wondering if I sold them at race day what would they bring? Not that I'm gonna sell them, just curious.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

You won't make money selling your tickets on raceday now. You would have a few years back, but the economy has really hurt Nascar the last 2-3 years. For people who have never been, you literally can scream in the ear of the person next to you and they can't hear you. You learn a form of sign language in a hurry if you want to communicate. You can hear each other if it is a yellow flag and the cars are on the other side of the track.