Tips for Attending a NASCAR Race at the Brickyard

Going to a NASCAR race at the Brickyard is completely unlike anything you've ever experienced before. This track is a place that many fans only dream about seeing firsthand. Before you get too excited and too carried away though, check out the following tips.

Grab a Camping Spot.

There are more than a few hotels in the Indianapolis area, but you can't go wrong with one of their many camping spots. Even if you only want to stay the weekend, you should at least consider camping at the track. Not only are the rates cheaper than a hotel, but the experience is a lot more fun. For Saturday and Sunday night you can camp in the tent area for $35 total. That's cheaper than most hotels, even if you have to buy a new tent!

I've been lucky enough to camp out at the Brickyard the weekend of the NASCAR race and I had a lot more fun than I did staying in my hotel. I made some friends that I still talk to often and we were able to cook our own food on the grill. Not to mention how much money we saved by not booking a hotel.

Check Out Practice and Qualifying.

If you plan on traveling to the race and you'll be in town on Friday or Saturday, then go ahead and buy a ticket to practice and qualifying. The combination ticket to both events is $25 and it's definitely worth the price. Even if you have bad seats for the race, you'll have great seats for these events. People are constantly moving and checking things out and that means you'll have your pick of seats.

On Saturday night after qualifying you can attend one of the free concerts they hold every year and don't think it's a lame act either! In 2007 they hosted Gretchen Wilson and in 2008 it was the Goo Goo Dolls. Plus Friday is your chance to meet some of the NASCAR drivers who do autograph signings at the track.

Bring a Backpack Cooler.

Not all tracks still let you bring in backpack coolers, but the Brickyard does. In 2007 we stuffed a backpack cooler full and didn't even need the smaller coolers we brought on the trip. These coolers meet the strict requirements in terms of size, but because of their shape, you can fit a lot more things inside.

Get a Good Seat.

Before you start looking for tickets, you should know that there isn't a single seat where you can see the entire track; it's just too big! Instead grab a seat on the outside of Turn 1 or Turn 2 where most of the crashes happen and you can see the cars exiting Pit Road. Or if you have unlimited means, go for the Start/Finish line. We made the mistake of sitting inside the track one year and we could barely see anything.

Keep an Eye on Your Stuff.

This goes without saying, but always keep an eye on your things. In 2007 I ended up having a digital camera stolen by one of our seatmates. Then when we started packing out stuff up at the campground, we discovered that someone had taken our chairs! Don't be like me, watch your stuff.

Bring Along Sunscreen.

As someone who ended up with a pretty bad case of sunburn, I can't underestimate the importance of sunscreen. I wore a hat and thought I was covered, but ended up with a wicked sunburn on my legs. This is a long race and with the sun beating down on you, you'll need as much protection as possible.

Take Time to Check Out the Museum.

The infield of the Brickyard has a museum and yet, it's open on race weekend. You can check out the history of the track and see a number of different vehicles on display. Some people come from across the country just to see the museum even when there isn't a race.

Enjoy the Pre-Race Festivities.

You never know exactly what's going to happen before the NASCAR race at the Brickyard so give yourself some time to check things out. There's usually a concert prior to the race as well as the chance to meet different drivers at their souvenir hauler or as they're walking to the garage area.

Head Across the Street.

There are a lot of souvenir haulers, but there's just as many across the street from the track and these are usually less crowded. Take some time out of your busy weekend to scour the stands over here. You'll find smaller sellers with a variety of collectibles and older pieces that you can't buy retail anymore.

Get There Early.

It's not surprising to see people pulling into the parking lot at 8 am when the NASCAR race doesn't start until 2-3 pm. These people know that they can avoid the crowds, get through security, and even walk around uninterrupted if they get there early.

Park in the Infield.

You probably didn't know this, but you actually can park in the infield at the Brickyard! These spots go really fast so you'll need to get there as early as possible, but it will save you from walking several miles.

If you're heading off to the Brickyard for the next NASCAR race, get yourself a camping spot, enjoy the pre-race activities, but most of all have fun!