Top 10 Tracks to Attend a NASCAR Race
If you’ve only watched NASCAR racing on television, you haven’t experienced even a tenth of the brutal power, pure adrenaline and gut-wrenching action of the racing world. You HAVE to attend a NASCAR race in person to really get the full experience. Of course, there are tracks and then there are tracks, and the one you actually visit will make a huge difference in your overall experience. What are the best NASCAR tracks out there? We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best in the nation (in no particular order) to save you the hassle.
Daytona Speedway
We’ll start this list with the perhaps the most famous of all NASCAR tracks. It might not be held on the beach anymore, but the Daytona Speedway in Daytona, Florida is a hugely popular track, and the races held here are some of the most important of the entire season. Of course, the granddaddy of all races is the Daytona 500, but there are others held here throughout the year that are almost as enjoyable.
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Talladega Super Speedway
If you’re into the party scene and want to get your groove on at a NASCAR track, then Talladega is the place for you. Of course, there are more things to enjoy here than just the festive atmosphere. It’s also the longest track in NASCAR, and has been rated as the most dangerous, as well. It ranks as one of the fastest, too, and drivers can get over 190 MPH (which increases the likelihood of an accident, of course). Depending on the source, it’s ranked as the best or near the best track to attend in person.
Bristol Motor Speedway
Head up to Tennessee and you’ll find the Bristol Motor Speedway. It’s the shortest track out there, coming in at just over a half mile (Daytona is 2.5 miles, for the sake of comparison). That means some incredibly fast lap times. It used to be one of the most wreck-prone of all NASCAR tracks, but it was repaved in 2008 and has become much safer for both drivers and fans.
Sonoma Raceway
If you’re on the West Coast, there’s no need to head east to attend a NASCAR race. Just head over to Sonoma, California, where you’ll find the Sonoma Raceway. It runs 1.99 miles and features 12 turns (you might be more familiar with it as Sears Point, or as Infineon Raceway – it’s changed names quite a few times over the years). Of course, the beautiful Sonoma Valley surrounding the racetrack doesn’t hurt, and you can always take in a vineyard tour while you’re in the area.
Dover International Speedway
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Dover might only be a single mile but it’s a brutal race. Drivers race 400 laps. While the track is concrete now rather than asphalt, it’s still one of the most grueling races in the series. It’s also wreck-prone thanks to the tight confines of some of the track.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
While Indianapolis might be more famous as the home of Indy racing, it’s also the place where you’ll find the Brickyard 500, one of the most storied races in all of NASCAR, and a close second to the Daytona 500 in terms of acclaim and popularity. It runs 2.5 miles, and while it’s not as brutal and grueling as some races out there, it’s a “can’t miss” event.
Darlington Raceway
Darlington holds a number of records. It was the first paved track in NASCAR, for one thing. She’s also called “The Lady in Black” for good reason – the brutality of the track is legendary. Part of the challenge stems from the fact that while it looks very wide, there’s only one practical lane and there is no room to make a mistake. Of course, getting to Darlington can be a challenge – the nearest international airport is 75 miles away in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Watkins Glen International
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If you’re interested in watching one of the fastest races you’ll ever see, head over to Watkins Glen International. You might even be surprised to see drivers do something other than turn left – Watkins Glen is one of only two NASCAR races with a right-hand turn. It’s also blisteringly fast and has played home to Formula 1 racing. If you intend to visit this particular track, consider taking a tent, or the RV, as it’s rated as one of the best camping tracks for NASCAR fans as well.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Not far outside the Charlotte, SC city limits, you’ll find the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It’s only 1.5 miles, but the legendary first turn manages to trip someone up every time. It’s also one of the longest races in NASCAR and runs 600 miles. Be prepared to hang around for a little while, though. The race starts at 6 PM and generally lasts until midnight or so.
Texas Motor Speedway
Last but not least, we come to the Texas Motor Speedway located in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s 1.5 miles and sees some seriously fast racing (although it doesn’t crack the top ranks for speed). Two very notable things about this particular track are the fact that the pole winner wins a shotgun, and the driver lucky enough to catch the checkered flag wins a pair of revolvers as the trophy (which is almost as cool as the grandfather clock trophy at Martinsville).
There you have them – 10 of the best NASCAR tracks to visit in person. However, if you’re not located near any of these areas, there are plenty of others out there. Martinsville is the oldest track on the circuit, and located in Virginia. The Atlanta Motor Speedway outside Hampton, GA is one of NASCAR’s fastest, and the Kansas City track has an actual casino right on the outside of the track if gambling’s your thing. Of course, if that’s your poison, then the Las Vegas Motor Speedway might be more your speed.
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