Question for those who have been to Talladega..

This April some friends and I are going to be going to our first NASCAR race. We have decided on some tickets in the Tri-Oval Tower (row 45). We are only going to make the Sunday events. We do plan on going there early so we can do alot of walking around before the race. What do yall suggest we go see? Also, can you walk in the infield if you have tickets in one of the towers?

 

You wont be able to get to the infield with a grandstand ticket. You need infield tickets and if you did that you would be stuck there for the race. There is no way to get back and forth between the infield and grandstands. The only thing to see outside before the race is all the souvenier trailers and some cars they have on display. They also have the typical fair type food stands, games, etc.

I've been to Dega three times and the first 2 times was on the infield when we had a large group with 3 motor homes. We parked them in a U-shape up against the infield roadway making a private compound out of the setup. Both these times we went on Saturday. The parties in the infield are WILD. You see many boobies, harsh drinking, live bands and general crazy stuff on Saturday night. On one trip some guys next to us had a large projection screen showing porn all night and then sunday morning they pulled out an inflatable 30 man navy rescue raft. A couple hours later a local volunteer fire department truck shows up and fills the raft up with water making it a portable swimming pool! This is when the second race was in July so it was HOT! The swimming pool didnt last long because some idiot tried pulling down a fat chicks top and she picked him up and pile drove him into the bottom of the pool breaking his ribs! The paramedics and cops showed up to tend to this guys injuries and made them deflate the pool and dump the water.

The infield isnt great for watching the race even if you sit on top of a motor home. Its great for the parties though and just walking around. You can get right up by pit road and see the cars and drivers up close. Plus you get to see the army of HIGH END motor homes that show up at each race. We are talking million dollar motor homes here. Very nice.

Watching the race from the grandstands is better. You should see almost the entire track from where you are sitting. You have no appreciation for the speed and just how close they race when watching it on TV. When you see it live it will raise the hair on the back of your neck. When the main draft comes by its like a gigantic clap of thunder and bolt of lightning.

BTW. A buddy of mine and I are going to drive those cars at Dega sometime in the next couple months. Our Wives got us the Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure packages for christmas. They say it will be possible to get the cars up to 165MPH and draft "if" we want to. We got the packages where we get to drive but you have to go through 4 hours of training with a pro driver. Should be interesting.

Beware when you leave. It is a MAJOR traffic jam. Anywhere from 150K to 200K people leaving one place like that is a problem. I wouldnt plan on leaving right after the race. Let the traffic die down for a couple hours first. Even then plan on it taking 2 or 3 hours to get on the interstate and away from the track before the traffic starts moving at normal speed. We just cooked dinner after the race before we packed up and left.

 

If you can change them get infield tickets. If not, read the aforementioned post.

 

I am jealous! I want to go!!! Will be at the 400 and Homestead but those are the only two I will make it to this year!

HAVE FUN and I want a FULL report back!

 

Dont forget your cooler. Forgot what the beer limit but cans only. Enjoy!

 

That right there is my what I'm bummed about the most. There will be three of us, one doesn't drink (never has) the other quit after his DWI. So I'm not gonna be "that guy" as much as it pains me. Kinda sucks, I'm going into the heart of redneck heaven and I'm going to feel guilty if I drink.

 

What happens in Alabama stays in Alabama. Ge head, sin...

 

We go to Dega every October, we love it. You will be able to see a lot of the track with the tower tickets. We always go on Thursday and we leave early Monday morning, there is some traffic then but not as bad as on Sunday.

Have a great time.

There is no limit on the amount of beer you can take in, you can only take a certain size cooler which has to be a soft sided cooler. They can usually fit a six pack, but each person is allowed to bring in a clear bag too. I have seen tons of people bring beer in them. I have seen them put ice in these bags to keep their beer cold. When we go to Dega, I usually find something to drink that I can freeze, then I don't hafta worry about the ice.

 

Some parts I am pretty sure have a rule where you can only bring in a case per person. But they let you leave and get more if you run out. :rofl:

And the fact that this takes place in that dirty bible belt makes me even happier.

 

Biggest thing is how long are you going to be there. If you are camping, get there on Thur or early Friday. If you want to see qualifying friday, $10 and sit where you want. Sat race, you can usually walk up if you want tickets for that. Go to the museum if you can. It's better if you go on a non-race weekend, because you get a tour of the track, but a lot of history there. And sometimes they have some car shows there.

Now if you are not drinking, walk around some of the campsites. Not Mardi Gras, but can come close sometimes. And I guaran-damn-tee ya, you will see lots of LSU! flags.

I have been there too many times, and now only go up for a tailgate on Sundays. I never even buy tickets anymore, because it is so easy to get good ones from scalpers right before the race for face value or below (just know what you are looking for).

Anyway, have a great time. I figure two 'Dega day trips, and two Bristol long road trips, and maybe a Texas and Atlanta are all I can do this year.