Visiting first ever NASCAR Race at Homestead
Discussion
Dear All
I'm after some advice, my late father always regretted not having a go in a NASCAR race, so with my 40th coming up in November I have decided to go to Miami to watch the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead on the 19th November.
I have never been to a NASCAR race, so I wondered if anyone had any advice or pointers to help maximise the experience?
My wife and in-laws are coming to Miami also, but they're not sure about coming to the actual race, as I cannot find anywhere online if there are any other races on the Sunday of the main 400 or what (if any) other entertainment there is at a NASCAR race.
At the moment I am just planning to drive the hire car to the event, get a ticket on the outside or turn 1 and enjoy the noise.
Thanks in advance of some useful info.
I'm after some advice, my late father always regretted not having a go in a NASCAR race, so with my 40th coming up in November I have decided to go to Miami to watch the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead on the 19th November.
I have never been to a NASCAR race, so I wondered if anyone had any advice or pointers to help maximise the experience?
My wife and in-laws are coming to Miami also, but they're not sure about coming to the actual race, as I cannot find anywhere online if there are any other races on the Sunday of the main 400 or what (if any) other entertainment there is at a NASCAR race.
At the moment I am just planning to drive the hire car to the event, get a ticket on the outside or turn 1 and enjoy the noise.
Thanks in advance of some useful info.
We went to the Las Vegas race a few years ago. I don’t think there were any support races on the Sunday. It was all just buildup to the main event. We just wandered around checking out the fan areas and indulging in a spot of people watching! I still have my free Kobalt tools tape measure!!
The race build up was typically over the top, the fly past by the Thunderbirds was pretty cool too.
The race itself was not the most exciting but the spectacle of seeing, hearing and feeling the field thunder last was something else!!
The race build up was typically over the top, the fly past by the Thunderbirds was pretty cool too.
The race itself was not the most exciting but the spectacle of seeing, hearing and feeling the field thunder last was something else!!
There are no support races, just the NASCAR race.
The build-up is usually pretty impressive. There may be a performance by some local or not so local musician(s) (we saw ZZ Top at Texas Motor Speedway), no doubt some sort of militaristic activity ("thank you for your service". . . aaaarrrgghhh!), the drivers will be paraded round in pickups, a local god-botherer will ask for the blessing of his imaginary friend, the national anthem will be played, there will be a flypast by (usually) the USAF, then the noise starts!
I think the start of a NASCAR race is one of the greatest sounds in motor sport!
The build-up is usually pretty impressive. There may be a performance by some local or not so local musician(s) (we saw ZZ Top at Texas Motor Speedway), no doubt some sort of militaristic activity ("thank you for your service". . . aaaarrrgghhh!), the drivers will be paraded round in pickups, a local god-botherer will ask for the blessing of his imaginary friend, the national anthem will be played, there will be a flypast by (usually) the USAF, then the noise starts!
I think the start of a NASCAR race is one of the greatest sounds in motor sport!
The support races are on Friday (truck series) and Saturday (Xfinity series) before the cup race.
I went to the Daytona 500 this year so I'll try and offer up some advice which will hopefully apply.
Get a seat somewhere between the last corner and the start line, it's the best place to hear them when they start their engines and when they come to the green flag.
I found there was plenty of stuff to look around at before the race, made it a much better day out than general admission at Silverstone.
I went to the Daytona 500 this year so I'll try and offer up some advice which will hopefully apply.
Get a seat somewhere between the last corner and the start line, it's the best place to hear them when they start their engines and when they come to the green flag.
I found there was plenty of stuff to look around at before the race, made it a much better day out than general admission at Silverstone.
I went to Homestead Miami last year. Main advice is to prepare for a variety of temperatures - it can be boiling during the day, especially in the metal stands. However, the race runs into the evening where it cools down quite a bit, so take a jumper.
I would really recommend hiring a radio scanner, which you can get within the circuit for around £30. This gives you access to every driver's radio as well as commentary.
If you don't go for a scanner, you will need earplugs. The cars never go out of earshot and are as loud as the V10 era F1 cars, so you will be very deaf by the end of the race without them.
One other thing of note, all merchandise is in an enclosed area before you get to the main entrance, so stock up before you go in.
There are no bad seats in the house. Here's the view from the middle of the stands and Turn 4 respectively.
I would really recommend hiring a radio scanner, which you can get within the circuit for around £30. This gives you access to every driver's radio as well as commentary.
If you don't go for a scanner, you will need earplugs. The cars never go out of earshot and are as loud as the V10 era F1 cars, so you will be very deaf by the end of the race without them.
One other thing of note, all merchandise is in an enclosed area before you get to the main entrance, so stock up before you go in.
There are no bad seats in the house. Here's the view from the middle of the stands and Turn 4 respectively.
Edited by DCLXIV on Saturday 21st October 21:49
I have been to Homestead and the Daytona 500. Every petrolhead has to visit a NASCAR race,the whole experience is unique,great atmosphere. Just wandering around the car park is fascinating,all the fans have BBQ`s in the back of custom pick ups.They are all super friendly,when they find out your Brits and its your first NASCAR you will be made very welcome.
We did Homestead about ten years ago,left the ticket ordering to a few days before the race and it was SOLD OUT,had to settle for the Saturday race. So get your tickets now.
Get there early,plenty of stuff going on to keep you amused,you will have a great time.
As said above it ends in the evening,it will be a long day.
We did Homestead about ten years ago,left the ticket ordering to a few days before the race and it was SOLD OUT,had to settle for the Saturday race. So get your tickets now.
Get there early,plenty of stuff going on to keep you amused,you will have a great time.
As said above it ends in the evening,it will be a long day.
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