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

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
I normally nap beween laps 200 and 300 when i'm at Darlington

[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....