What would YOU do with an ALL-ACCESS pass to Bristol?

"31ModelA" (car) 03/12/2014 at 16:00 • Filed to: Nascar, Bristol, Sprint Cup, Turn Left, Racing

0

21

I have an all-access hot pass for Bristol this weekend. Now what!?

Okay, I go...but then what!?

As a result of family ties, Nascar has shot to the top of my auto racing radar. This change in interest also comes with the very good fortune of a change in vantage point. In other words, pit row (!!!) via all-access passes for the whole weekend including during the race! And Bristol is the first race I'll attend.

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

I have no idea how best to enjoy what I am told is one of the greatest shows in all of Nascar. Looking at the track, it looks like they run this race in the middle of a football stadium. The only other tracks that I am familiar with, for scale, are Talladega and Atlanta. Let's take a look:

This place is a postage stamp!

I have a new and profound appreciation for what these drivers can do because they might as well be racing inside of 'Dega. Not the infield, but the infield parking lot . The South infield lot, not the North. Yeah, it's that small!

So being close to the action is not a concern; that's a given. But there's got to be a LOT I'll miss if I'm not paying attention, right? I mean, there are plenty of things vying for my attention. For instance...

Carnage!

People love Bristol for a lot of reasons, but if you believe commercials, the wrecks are reason #1. With driver safety coming as far as it has, I don't feel too bad saying that I'm excited about seeing a 36,550 horsepower game of high-dollar bumper cars booming away inside of an echo chamber. Forget the drivers thanking the sponsors, let ME be the one to thank the Target Axe Energizer Cotonelle Diet Mountain Dew Chevy for making that possible !!!

Pit Stops, or How to Build A Car from Tape in 13 seconds

And that brings us to the pits. Pit stops are exciting no matter the track or the event. It's the most well-orchestrated part of any race and it's impossible to fathom how those guys manage to service a car in the same amount of time it takes me to find the button to access the gas cap.

An up-close and personal pit-stop is far and above the one thing I am most excited about watching. But Bristol, with all of its crunched-sheet-metal goodness promises o so much more! How fast can you build a Nascar body out of duct tape?

What else am I missing!?

I don't know when I'll get this kind of opportunity again, and I am extremely grateful to those making this happen. But this is where YOU come in! Leave suggestions in the comments.

What are your best pro tips for making the most out of Bristol? Sure, the pits are great. But where is the best place to watch? And while the race is obviously what we're there for, what about practice and qualifying? Let's hear it in the comments!

For Sweden > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 13:44

0

Show up early enough to watch the haulers all try to park in the infield.

ncasolowork2 > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 13:48

0

Don't watch from pit road. Enjoy your access during practice and qualifying but see if you can get a seat in the grand stands somewhere for Bristol. It might be fun from pit lane, but you'll have to find a pit box with a chair you can sit in. Keep in mind the track is so small cars pit on the front and back straights. Watch from the stands you'll enjoy it more.

On almost any other track pit lane would be great. I'd rather be in the stands at Bristol.

RacecaR > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 13:50

1

All access? I would pee somewhere that no one else has probably pee'd. But that's just me.

Nothing > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 13:50

0

Congrats! As weird as this sounds, I think this is what my wife and I are doing for our anniversary in August. Now, if possible, she has less than zero percent interest in cars, but has mentioned that it would be "kind of" cool to go. The thanks for the suggestion goes to my mom-in-law. She'll watch the little one for us while we go lose our hearing.

Aaron James > Nothing 03/10/2014 at 13:59

0

My wife and I went in 2002. She had little interest in NASCAR but was excited about a weekend trip. She really enjoyed the whole experience. It's really an amazing place.

McMike > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 14:00

1

All-access?

Aaron James > Nothing 03/10/2014 at 14:00

1

It's also really really hot so take lots of water and sunscreen for the August race.

desertdog5051 > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 14:10

0

Good ear plugs are a must there. Buy the ones that look like headphones.

31ModelA > desertdog5051 03/10/2014 at 14:13

1

the team has headphones to use. I can only imagine what the sound is like in a place like that, though. I'm thinking ear plugs inside head phones.

31ModelA > Nothing 03/10/2014 at 14:16

0

Doesn't sound weird at all! For our anniversary a couple years ago I went to the Indy race nearby. I made it all good by getting Patrick Dempsey to wish her happy anniversary.

31ModelA > For Sweden 03/10/2014 at 14:18

0

ha, this is exactly the advice I'm looking for! and that is definitely the plan. I'm going to be there for every possible second I can.

desertdog5051 > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 14:36

0

I was there once. It is so fricking loud. What team are you the guest of?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 14:40

0

Having had a hot pass at Bristol, wander through the pits, and watch for fast moving people/equipment. Particularly at the turn 1 entrance. It's seriously awesome.

Best place to watch the race is mid way up the stands towards the entrance of the turns.

Shift24 > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 15:15

0

not sure where your staying or how you are getting there but stay on the north side if you dont want to climb a mountain to get to the race

Carnage717 > 31ModelA 03/10/2014 at 15:36

1

Bristol, the 2 times a year I wish I didn't live here. Like most of the others have said, if you don't mind seeing half the race see if you can get seats in the actual stands or find some place with a good vantage point. Make sure you get good ear plugs, its loud, really loud, don't skimp on the cheap ones. I'm kind of glad I have to work this weekend so I don't have to deal with all the crazies out wandering around town trying to find something to do.

31ModelA > Carnage717 03/10/2014 at 16:03

0

I'll be distanced from (some of) the crazies as well since we are staying in a cabin outside of Asheville when we're not at the track. It sounds like the stands are the way to go.

The Artist Formerly Known As... > McMike 03/10/2014 at 19:51

0

You so utterly and completely beat me to it, so you should have all the internets today. Take them. You've earned them.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 31ModelA 03/12/2014 at 16:48

0

Sell it, fly to Sebring for the Tudor race

XJDano > 31ModelA 03/16/2014 at 01:01

0

So I had a similar experience, not quite as grand as Bristol, but NASCAR support series in 2008.
I started dating my later to be wife and her dad asked me if I wanted to go to the Busch our nation wide race whatever it was called then.
Our sponsor was Morgan Shepherd that got hotel with Drury Inn, and whoever was responsible for this couldn't go and knew my eventual father in law liked NASCAR, and have him all 4 passes. He has 2 brothers, and I liked racing so I got an invite. It was a really cool night and I really didn't know what I was doing, but we all had a good time, and got to hang out with Mr. Shepherd for a bit. Even though he qualified and ran a few laps till a caution then led 1 or 2 laps then parked it. His trailer was actually odd next to all the other trucks there. Here is some photos to check out, and have fun. http://www.flickr.com/photos/xjdano2…

lebenmitkatze > 31ModelA 04/09/2016 at 17:43

0

So I found your article here because Im in the exact position with a hot pass, and the race is next weekend at Bristol. What are your tips now that you have experienced the most coveted pass in Nascar?

31ModelA > lebenmitkatze 04/11/2016 at 22:11

0

(1) Be thrilled that you’re doing it at Bristol! That place is AMAZING!

(2) Don’t be shy, but use good judgment. If the guys are working give them space. Otherwise, they’re usually pretty cool about answering questions.

(3) if you want to get really up close to the car, ask someone. They are still pretty protective of the equipment and guard their secrets dearly. That said, refer to #2 - talk to the guys, get one that’s happy to chat, then ask.

(4) Go early. There’s truly a lot to see when you’re there and plenty more to miss if you don’t spend your time wisely.

(5) Read the body language. There are some drivers that don’t like to be bothered before a race (understandable) and others who are huge fans of the fans. You’ll be able to tell, and the ones that want to will be out and happy to sign autographs or take pictures. Just remember, you’re in their office.

(6) Keep your head on a swivel! Bristol is amazingly small and there are no garages. During the race the “infield” is a madhouse. That, and the noise is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and I’ve been on the deck of an aircraft carrier launching Tomcats. You won’t always hear something coming so pay attention and respect the lanes.

(7) if you have a favorite driver, post up at his pit box. They’ll have TVs on the boxes where you can see the race and you’ll get to see all the pit action, stress, excitement, and all the weird nuanced stuff they check on tires and equipment that come off the car. It’s fascinating.

(8) Cheer for Larson

(9) Cheer for Larson

(10) Cheer for Larson