NASCAR Speedways

April 26 2009 by Mark Deyer

Speedway.jpgFor many NASCAR fans a traditional vacation just won't cut it. With vacation time at a premium, many folks are resorting to weekend road trips to satisfy the travel bug. For NASCAR fans this means weekend pilgrimages to race tracks all around the country. If you're new to the sport or just haven't made it around to a track yet, here are my top 5 favorite NASCAR tracks to spend the weekend at:

1) Bristol Motor Speedway - Bristol, TN. Bristol is a Mecca for NASCAR fans. With room for nearly 160,000 spectators around its 1/2 mile racetrack, it rivals any college football experience. Bristol features high banking on a short track oval that always makes for very exciting racing. Turn #2 at Bristol in 1990 was the scene of Best Western Racing driver Michael Waltrip's most spectacular crash. Waltrip's car was reduced to a pile of rubble and he amazingly walked away from the wreck virtually uninjured. With races being held every year in March and August, it is the perfect way to kick off your travel season in the spring or close it out at the end of summer.

2) Daytona Super Speedway - Daytona, FL. Located in the heart of Florida, Daytona is a must-see track for any NASCAR fan. Speeds of the race at this superspeedway reach in excess of 180+ MPH, there is no shortage of excitement for the 168,000 fans that attend this. Daytona kicks off the season every year with the Daytona 500 and returns again during the July 4th weekend for its encore race. The people-watching is superb, the race is always exciting, and the warm weather makes this track a great escape for fans in the North.

3) Atlanta Motor Speedway - Hampton, GA. It's all about finishes at Atlanta Motor Speedway. With racing speeds reaching 200 mph, the finishes come fast and furious. Beyond the racing, it is a great track for fans to visit. Long known as a favorite track of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., Atlanta Motor Speedway is about 25 miles outside of Atlanta in close proximity to a slew of restaurants, hotels, and attractions.

4) Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV. The 1.5 mile track inside Las Vegas Motor Speedway isn't rich on history or exciting races, but does give fans a unique chance to see a race in close proximity to a city chock full of other attractions. Built in 1996, the speedway in Las Vegas is one of the newest tracks in the NASCAR circuit. It seats 142,000 fans and is one of the most fan friendly tracks to attend. The "Neon Garage" fan zone features live music, direct access to the team garages, and allows fans to get uniquely close to the post-race winners circle. You'll also get a great chance to hunt down your favorite drivers as they hit the tables in the days leading up to the race.

5) Richmond International Raceway - Richmond, VA. Richmond is a driver's track, plain and simple. Richmond gives fans a unique chance to watch 'old time' racing under the lights. Each of Richmond's two races per season are held at nightfall and pay homage to the Friday night racing in which most drivers got their start. Fans show up at dawn and typically stay well into the night, making Richmond an ideal track for fans to party.

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