Nascar Survival?
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm exceptionally fortunate and fulfilling a 20 odd year ambition to go do a Nascar race, Talladega to be precise. I'm extremely excited at the prospect but not entirely sure what to expect. I've been to quite a few races in my time but never an oval track.
Any one got any tips, advice? I keep reading about standing by the fencing to feel "The Rush". At other circuits I've been to you can wander round to different vantage points through the race, can you do this/is it beneficial to do it. I've got seats in the Moss Thornton Tower and have pit passes but am only there on Sunday so time is limited.
Any advice appreciated, or if anyone has been to Talledega your input will be greatly appreciated!
I'm exceptionally fortunate and fulfilling a 20 odd year ambition to go do a Nascar race, Talladega to be precise. I'm extremely excited at the prospect but not entirely sure what to expect. I've been to quite a few races in my time but never an oval track.
Any one got any tips, advice? I keep reading about standing by the fencing to feel "The Rush". At other circuits I've been to you can wander round to different vantage points through the race, can you do this/is it beneficial to do it. I've got seats in the Moss Thornton Tower and have pit passes but am only there on Sunday so time is limited.
Any advice appreciated, or if anyone has been to Talledega your input will be greatly appreciated!
Been to Talladega numerous times, though not usually for the fall race (Alabama 500).
Access is extremely fan-friendly and you can wander all of the infield as well as the bleacher areas you have creds for, so no worries there.
You are not permitted to loiter by the debris fence on the outside of the track - i.e. as long as you keep moving, you are good, but you can't stop to spectate on the fence - nor would you really want to, due to the potential to be machine-gunned with wreckage due to an accident. Oddly, being right on the fence isn't a great vantage point either. Due to being such a steeply banked track, all you get to see are the car's roofs in a 180mph blur. That said, the shock-wave of a tight plate-race pack thundering past is pretty spectacular.
Let me know if you need any specific pointers, I'll do my best to share experience.
Access is extremely fan-friendly and you can wander all of the infield as well as the bleacher areas you have creds for, so no worries there.
You are not permitted to loiter by the debris fence on the outside of the track - i.e. as long as you keep moving, you are good, but you can't stop to spectate on the fence - nor would you really want to, due to the potential to be machine-gunned with wreckage due to an accident. Oddly, being right on the fence isn't a great vantage point either. Due to being such a steeply banked track, all you get to see are the car's roofs in a 180mph blur. That said, the shock-wave of a tight plate-race pack thundering past is pretty spectacular.
Let me know if you need any specific pointers, I'll do my best to share experience.
Matt Harper said:
Been to Talladega numerous times, though not usually for the fall race (Alabama 500).
Access is extremely fan-friendly and you can wander all of the infield as well as the bleacher areas you have creds for, so no worries there.
You are not permitted to loiter by the debris fence on the outside of the track - i.e. as long as you keep moving, you are good, but you can't stop to spectate on the fence - nor would you really want to, due to the potential to be machine-gunned with wreckage due to an accident. Oddly, being right on the fence isn't a great vantage point either. Due to being such a steeply banked track, all you get to see are the car's roofs in a 180mph blur. That said, the shock-wave of a tight plate-race pack thundering past is pretty spectacular.
Let me know if you need any specific pointers, I'll do my best to share experience.
Thanks for the info Matt, good to hear of 1st hand experiences. I'm a keen photographer so any spots to get decent pictures would be a big help, any other 'must do/see' things would be great. Access is extremely fan-friendly and you can wander all of the infield as well as the bleacher areas you have creds for, so no worries there.
You are not permitted to loiter by the debris fence on the outside of the track - i.e. as long as you keep moving, you are good, but you can't stop to spectate on the fence - nor would you really want to, due to the potential to be machine-gunned with wreckage due to an accident. Oddly, being right on the fence isn't a great vantage point either. Due to being such a steeply banked track, all you get to see are the car's roofs in a 180mph blur. That said, the shock-wave of a tight plate-race pack thundering past is pretty spectacular.
Let me know if you need any specific pointers, I'll do my best to share experience.
Where have you watched from, is it the done thing to wander, or is it the done thing to stay put and eat?
I'm not a photographer, so feel unqualified to offer meaningful assistance in that regard - however Moss Thornton is on the exit to the tri-oval and high up, so you should have an unrestricted view of the entire track.
Last time I went (2013) it was corporate entertainment in Anniston Tower and before that low down at the entry to the tri-oval - Gadston, I think it was called.
First couple of times we were in the infield and it was a real zoo (in a cool kind of way - nothing too scary, but a great snapshot of hillbilly culture).
Viewing from the infield is actually the closest you can get with an unobscured view, but you need to get on the fence and that can be difficult, because it's prime redneck real estate.
You can only occupy the seat on your ticket, if it's a full-house (not so common these days) but you can wander about the grandstand area - including the walkway between the seats and the fence - just remember the no stopping rule.
You are only allowed one small cooler up into the stands and no glass containers - in the infield - anything goes.
Pre race pit-walk and garage tours are interesting and colorful - the track is usually open until about an hour before the start. Lots of ceremony and patriotism.
The first time I went (2002) someone ignited a stick of dynamite in one of the campgrounds - that's how wild it was back then - these days it's a little more civilized (just a little).
Last time I went (2013) it was corporate entertainment in Anniston Tower and before that low down at the entry to the tri-oval - Gadston, I think it was called.
First couple of times we were in the infield and it was a real zoo (in a cool kind of way - nothing too scary, but a great snapshot of hillbilly culture).
Viewing from the infield is actually the closest you can get with an unobscured view, but you need to get on the fence and that can be difficult, because it's prime redneck real estate.
You can only occupy the seat on your ticket, if it's a full-house (not so common these days) but you can wander about the grandstand area - including the walkway between the seats and the fence - just remember the no stopping rule.
You are only allowed one small cooler up into the stands and no glass containers - in the infield - anything goes.
Pre race pit-walk and garage tours are interesting and colorful - the track is usually open until about an hour before the start. Lots of ceremony and patriotism.
The first time I went (2002) someone ignited a stick of dynamite in one of the campgrounds - that's how wild it was back then - these days it's a little more civilized (just a little).
Just sit back and enjoy the spectacle/noise/atmosphere/etc etc,Nascar is so unique.Every serious motor race fan has to see a NASCAR race once in their life.The US fans are so friendly especially when they find out your from "little ol`England".Just make sure your supporting the same driver as them.
I was like you dreamed of it for over twenty years and went to the Daytona 500 in 1998 the year Dale Earnhardt won.
Trip of a life time.When 40 odd huge cars go past in front of you door to door bumper to bumper at 180+mph,the air moves,the ground trembles,it takes your breath away,you will never forget it.
Have a great time,and don't forget to post some images on your return.
I was like you dreamed of it for over twenty years and went to the Daytona 500 in 1998 the year Dale Earnhardt won.
Trip of a life time.When 40 odd huge cars go past in front of you door to door bumper to bumper at 180+mph,the air moves,the ground trembles,it takes your breath away,you will never forget it.
Have a great time,and don't forget to post some images on your return.
Well I'm back. I had a great time at the race, I'd certainly do things differently if I went to another race. What a spectacle though, whether it was the flyby by a stealth bomber, the parachutists, the noise and smell, or the locals, there was always something to watch. It almost seemed like the race was a secondary entertainment! Logano was not a popular victor by any stretch, the locals were very vocal in their disapproval.
Turns out it's not so easy to take good pictures at the race. I've got some but they're not my best.
Turns out it's not so easy to take good pictures at the race. I've got some but they're not my best.
Glad you had fun! Did Loudon a couple of months ago for work (we have a load of cars on our brakes) and had a great time. It's amazing how different the way things work compared to UK motorsport. For example, if you didn't get to see it, all the cars are crammed effectively door to door in one big garage rather than teams having their own.
That said it's also amazing how similar the people are in the paddock (bar the odd airborne tobacco spittle), although it's a hugely intense and serious environment. I still got a bit of banter for my lack of American accent though
That said it's also amazing how similar the people are in the paddock (bar the odd airborne tobacco spittle), although it's a hugely intense and serious environment. I still got a bit of banter for my lack of American accent though
Great pics thanks for sharing. Its on my bucket list. Would either be Talladega or one of the short tracks.
Anyone see last weeks race? Matt Kenseth who was a few laps down rammed joey logano who was leading at the time into the wall destroying both cars. This was revenge for loganoo spinning Kenseth off a few weeks previously during the closing stages of a race to allow logano win but it resulted in Kenseth being knocked out of the chase. While the original incident was probably a racing incident last weeks clearly wasn't. The fans were baying the for usual fisty cuffs after the race
http://news.yahoo.com/matt-kenseth-appealing-2-rac...
Anyone see last weeks race? Matt Kenseth who was a few laps down rammed joey logano who was leading at the time into the wall destroying both cars. This was revenge for loganoo spinning Kenseth off a few weeks previously during the closing stages of a race to allow logano win but it resulted in Kenseth being knocked out of the chase. While the original incident was probably a racing incident last weeks clearly wasn't. The fans were baying the for usual fisty cuffs after the race
http://news.yahoo.com/matt-kenseth-appealing-2-rac...
acer12 said:
Great pics thanks for sharing. Its on my bucket list. Would either be Talladega or one of the short tracks.
Anyone see last weeks race? Matt Kenseth who was a few laps down rammed joey logano who was leading at the time into the wall destroying both cars. This was revenge for loganoo spinning Kenseth off a few weeks previously during the closing stages of a race to allow logano win but it resulted in Kenseth being knocked out of the chase. While the original incident was probably a racing incident last weeks clearly wasn't. The fans were baying the for usual fisty cuffs after the race
http://news.yahoo.com/matt-kenseth-appealing-2-rac...
From my experience Logano is not a popular driver at all (as the last photo would also suggest!). He's from a rich family in Connecticut and a long way from your stereotypical Nascar fan or traditional southern driver. It's probably not even got anything to do with the rich family either, as Earnhardt Jr hardly came from an impoverished family and everyone loves him. Probably because he is from north of the Mason Dixon line.Anyone see last weeks race? Matt Kenseth who was a few laps down rammed joey logano who was leading at the time into the wall destroying both cars. This was revenge for loganoo spinning Kenseth off a few weeks previously during the closing stages of a race to allow logano win but it resulted in Kenseth being knocked out of the chase. While the original incident was probably a racing incident last weeks clearly wasn't. The fans were baying the for usual fisty cuffs after the race
http://news.yahoo.com/matt-kenseth-appealing-2-rac...
If you want to go, i'd say do it, the sights, smells and atmosphere were like no other type of race i've been to (and that's quite a few!). With Talladega being so big i'd bet at one of the short tracks the atmosphere would probably be about x10 what I experienced!
For the epitome of atmospheric intensity, you cannot beat the night race at Bristol TN.
It's essentially a NASCAR race in what amounts to a large football stadium.
Talladega and Daytona are identical in terms of layout, track length, banking etc. The "Daytona Rising" refurbishment will be complete in time for the 2016 500 and Daytona is a lot easier to get to from UK than rural Alabama. On the big super-speedways, the summer night race (Coke Zero 400) at Daytona is the most spectacular, despite playing second fiddle to the 500.
It's essentially a NASCAR race in what amounts to a large football stadium.
Talladega and Daytona are identical in terms of layout, track length, banking etc. The "Daytona Rising" refurbishment will be complete in time for the 2016 500 and Daytona is a lot easier to get to from UK than rural Alabama. On the big super-speedways, the summer night race (Coke Zero 400) at Daytona is the most spectacular, despite playing second fiddle to the 500.
Lovely clean pass by Jimmy Johnson on Brad Keselowski to take the win at Texas last weekend showing how it should be done.
Down to the last two races now, only 8 drivers left and will be reduced to 4 for the final shootout after this weekends race at Phoenix.
Chase format continues to have mixed reviews, read a good analogy where its compared to the NFL playoffs except the teams who are knocked out still get to play and interfere with the remaining playoff teams
Down to the last two races now, only 8 drivers left and will be reduced to 4 for the final shootout after this weekends race at Phoenix.
Chase format continues to have mixed reviews, read a good analogy where its compared to the NFL playoffs except the teams who are knocked out still get to play and interfere with the remaining playoff teams
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