Nascar help please...

[snowbunny00774]

I didn't really want to post this in the sport forum as it's not really about the competition of Nascar.

A friend and I got tickets to see a Nascar race in Michigan this weekend. The package involves Sat night stay at Hyatt Dearborn, dinner and drinks at some function that night, then Sunday morning bus to event, drinks, food, pit passes, then back to hotel for more drinks and food and another nights stay. It sounds like a great time, only we know NOTHING about Nascar. I know the big names, but I have no idea what to expect, is there any etiquette things I need to know, basically, how do we make a good time even better??? My friend and I could have fun in a cardboard box, so getting these tickets is awesome ( and maybe a recipe for trouble!)

What do we need to know? what are dos/donts??

Mods please move as you see fit....wasn't sure where to put it...

 

[nbcrusader]

I attended the first NASCAR event held in Southern California year ago. Only two pieces of advice:

1. Wear earplugs.

2. Enjoy a slice of Americana.

 

[ylimeU2]

I use to follow it and even worked at a track one summer. From what I remember, you have to wear closed-toed shoes on pit road. If you see drivers while down on pit road, leave them (and their crews) alone. This will be right before the race, and they are busy getting ready. Bring earplugs. Or some other form of headphones, or else your ears will be ringing for hours afterwards. Do you know if you are in a suite or just the regular grandstands? Some suites have dress codes, so you might want to look into that. Nothing too fancy, but you can't go in them looking like some of the fans show up looking like.

Races are interesting to go to. It sucks watching them on TV, in my opinion, but they are a blast. It is a different sort of environment, and it is great. Just don't insult the favorite driver of the guy sitting next to you, and you'll be fine. Have fun!

 

[Mr. BAW]

Great weekend in store for you...go to Goggle and enter variations of Nascar girls, Nascar women...its NOT porn... but you'll get a sense of what to wear, things of that nature....

have a great time.

 

[Canadiens1131]

I didn't really want to post this in the sport forum as it's not really about the competition of Nascar.

A friend and I got tickets to see a Nascar race in Michigan this weekend. The package involves Sat night stay at Hyatt Dearborn, dinner and drinks at some function that night, then Sunday morning bus to event, drinks, food, pit passes, then back to hotel for more drinks and food and another nights stay. It sounds like a great time, only we know NOTHING about Nascar. I know the big names, but I have no idea what to expect, is there any etiquette things I need to know, basically, how do we make a good time even better??? My friend and I could have fun in a cardboard box, so getting these tickets is awesome ( and maybe a recipe for trouble!)

What do we need to know? what are dos/donts??

Mods please move as you see fit....wasn't sure where to put it...

Pick someone to root for. Everyone has someone to root for at a NASCAR race, and don't be suprised if other fans joking kid you about your favourite driver.

Definetly bring ear plugs. Or, if you've got noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds you might want to bring a little portable radio to catch the broadcast of the race as it's very loud and hard to hear the speakers when the cars are going full-speed.

Bring some binoculars so you can follow action around the track. Not completely necessary, but you can follow groups of cars duking it out. Also you can spot the positions of cars using the large black tower near the pit lane that lists cars' numbers. Then you can just look around the track to find the leader, second place car, etc.

When there's a yellow flag, make a run for the bathroom on your level of the stands so you can get back in time to see the race go back to green flag racing. Also a good time for a little stretch and walk around.

If you're near a car in pit lane when they rev it up, it'll scare the shit out of you the first time.

Enjoy

 

[zoney!]

etiquette

That is too big of a word for most NASCAR fans!


I went to my first NASCAR race a week ago. As others have mentioned, brings ear plugs and enjoy people watching.

DO NOT plan on sitting in your seats for the whole race. Get up and move around.

Sure, it is fun to watch cars go fast and turn left, but it is even MORE fun to watch the people watching the cars go fast and turn left!

 

[snowbunny00774]

Some great advice guys, Thanks!!
We are really looking forward to the people watching part. Any suggestions on which driver we should cheer for?

Going to get ear plugs first thing tmw so I don't forget.

What is this about green and yellow flags? Wouldn't it be green the whole time the race is on?

 

[Canadiens1131]

Some great advice guys, Thanks!!
We are really looking forward to the people watching part. Any suggestions on which driver we should cheer for?

Going to get ear plugs first thing tmw so I don't forget.

What is this about green and yellow flags? Wouldn't it be green the whole time the race is on?

Geen = racing
Yellow = slow down behind the pace car and don't pass until an accident on track is cleaned up
White flag = one lap to go

Don't root for Jeff Gordon. He is a loser - ignore the differing opinion of the Jeff Gordon fans.

 

[ylimeU2]

I agree. Stay away from Jeff Gordon.

I say go with Tony Stewart.

 

[ylimeU2]

Geen = racing
Yellow = slow down behind the pace car and don't pass until an accident on track is cleaned up
White flag = one lap to go

Don't root for Jeff Gordon. He is a loser - ignore the differing opinion of the Jeff Gordon fans.

There are a few other flags. Red, which you are unlikely to see, stops the race. They usually use that if it rains or there is a bad accident and they can't safely clean the track with the cars on it.

If you are sitting where you can see the flag stand, you'll occasionally see a blue flag with a diagonal yellow line across it. It is directed at a particular driver and it means that one driver is holding up another while the driver that is trying to pass is clearly faster (sounds kind of stupid, as it it a race, but there are lap cars, cars that have been involved in accidents that are off the pace).

There also a black flag that is again directed towards a specific driver. That driver will then have to go to pit road. It is used when that driver breaks a rule (in which case, the driver will have to stay on pit road for a certain number of laps), or has something wrong with the car that can cause a wreck or other hazards for other drivers.