[Smoke842]

Hey everyone,
Rookie83 needs help, see the Nascar Power Rankings thread. She's getting tickets for her boyfriend and needs some race advice. I can't give her any advice 'cause I haven't been to a race yet, but I know a lot of you have.

[rookie83]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR STARTING THIS THREAD FOR ME! I thought I would copy & paste this here for convenience.
Hi all, i'm getting my boyfriend tickets to a nascar race for his birthday, and i need some help! i admittedly know NOTHING about Nascar - i'm just now trying to learn about it!! can anyone help me? first of all, i'm getting tickets to the MBNA 400 in Dover, Delaware. I'm getting them off of ebay and am having a hard time figuring out what seats are good, etc. I hear that the higher seats are better because you can see the whole track, is that true? is there a better turn to have seats around? what about pit view? I'm also hoping someone could provide me with some tips about raceday. like, what you need for a race. what would you bring with you? what's a raceday experience like? I would REALLY appreciate any input from anyone on this, anything will help!! thanks so much to anyone who takes the time out to help me!!

[rave20]

I've posted a long response to you twice now and when I hit submit it disappeared. If I get this one to stick and when I have time to write it all again I'll help you out.

[rave20]

Figures that one would stick!

[rmjvol]

Hi rookie83, welcome to GoTeamsGo

Here's a link to a seating chart for the race:
http://www.e-tickets.us.com/venues/d...ting_chart.php

The start/finish line is in the bottom center from that chart. So the Petty Grandstands are right at the line. The pits are directly across from the Allison, Petty & Earnhardt stands.

I've never been to this track but sitting low or high is usually personal preference. I prefer to sit about 1/2-2/3 of the way up whenever I'm at an event but some people like to be on the front row.

You may be able to find a good deal on ebay but you also have to worry about getting scammed or getting counterfeit tickets. I've used ebay alot for various thing and only gotten scammed once. I'm biased becasue I do some marketing for some ticket brokers but I always suggest that people use a licensed ticket broker if they're not getting tickets from someone they know and trust. You may pay a little more but you're guaranteed to get authentic tickets.

Here's 2 ticket sites I'm involved with (and know they're legit):
e-Tickets
TicketsNow.com

Prices for the MBNA 400 at Dover range from about $100 each to abour $400 each. Most licensed ticket brokers charge a 5-10% service fee so the price displayed isn't the final total.

I'll have a chance later today to look thru those options and see what are the best deals.

Good luck, Ross

[rave20]

Take three: and action...

Haven't been to Dover in awhile but from when I was there I tell you: Sit as high as possible. The cars tend to run on the inside edge through the turns and you'll need to be up to see them. I like to sit coming out of turn four or going into turn one. That view allows you to see how cars are handling and much of the rubbin that goes on! You can also see down pit road in most cases and most importantly you don't have to look like a cat watching a ping pong game with your head on a swivel. If you sit in the middle of a row you'll be crawling over people to get out. If you sit on the end they'll be crawling over you. Your choice.

Plan to walk a long way to get to the track. Plan to spend a long tme in traffic getting in. Getting out...well...bring a pillow. I once cut off an hour by hopping a ditch though it seemed to bring out the Kevin Harvick in those around me.

Bring:
Warm weather clothes,
hot weather clothes,
cold weather clothes
and extra clothes.

Headphones or scanner and earplugs
sunglasses and sunscreen
rain gear
seat cushion
cooler (small) stuffed
camera and binoculars optional
book for long green flag periods (just kidding)
Hide some cash on you

Plan to meet people and have a great time!!

Make a rain plan. Make sure your job conflicts, kid care etc are taken care of in case it gets postponed to Monday. Hate to miss out because you didn't look ahead on that one!

oh yeah: Bring the tickets!!!

Oh and most importantly: Wear bright orange and cheer like mad when the number 20 goes by!!!!

[Smoke842]

Hi, Rave20, like your advice, especially the most important part, lol.

[rave20]

Yeah Smoke. really I could have saved some time and just written that line. What else is there to know really?

[rave20]

Rookie 83: You asked what a race day experience is like. Each one is different and really they are what you make em. If you go ready for anything, take it all in stride and just watch the "sights" as my friends and I like to call them you'll be enthralled. If you go waiting for it to be over (because you're just being supportive) it could be one of the longest days of your life. My friend took his wife who didn't know anything, any drivers and could have cared less. She won't even LOOK at a race car to this day. Ironically she went to Dover. At about lap 50 she asked how many laps were left
Make sure as a new fan you know who drivers are and you have some favorites.

I would love for you to post your experiences here once you've gone. What surprised you, what did you love hate etc. OK you've inspired me I'm starting a new thread on race experiences.

[Team Yates]

Hey rookie83, glad you found us. I agree with all that rave20 said, except these few additions: A large cooler iced: holding beer, drinks, water. Another cooler iced: with food. Lawn chairs. A grill (if cooking afterwards to "wait out" traffic). Paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, condiments, Trash bags - unless you weren't planning to "tailgate". If not I would still recommend having on your person at all times : Tissues!!!! Mostly for if you have to use a port-a-potty (they don't always have paper left, and FAIR WARNING: Be prepared to use one, knowing it's bound to be nasty! Also lip balm, "headache" remedy, heartburn pills, any other medication that may need to be taken by a certain time. Possible credit card. We've been to Dover quite a bit, we have alot of fun: get to the track around 6:00 a.m., we park to the right side of the track from (Rte. 13), that's where all the trailers are lined up (turn 3 - 4), we've been up high and down low: best view is always higher, but lower you get the rubber from the track hitting you! That's very low. It's a great time which ever way you play the deal, there's alot to see and do, can give you more info if needed or wanted.

[oncea3fan]

yes get there early, dover is one of the worst when it comes to traffic.

if your near and can drive up a week or two early, you might find a house to park at less then a 1/4 from the track.

it been about three years since I've been to a race there, but on the road
that goes behind the colleage, the first house on your left (leaving rt.13), the guy charged 10 bucks to park in his yard, and another 10 buck to drive us over to the strip mall in front of the track.

dover can get really hot in june ,baking in the sun.be prepared.

you can call the track a still get tickets, but it will be in the turns,still good seats you just can't see pit row.

get a good scanner, makes it alot better to know what happening.if not at least a head set w/radio. MRN has a really good race coverage.

don't skimp on a head set, they sell these little radio jobs near the track for about 25 bucks.....save you money you won't be able to hear them.

get a good set before you come to the track.

all track food and drink will cost $$$$$$$ so plan to spent some money or pack a cooler.
each person can carry in a 15inch cooler(I think) no glass.

be sure to mock a few fan around you about thier driver (BEFORE THIER DRUNK) helps make raceday friends, and makes the race much more enjoyable.


most of all take a laid back apporch and don't let anyone ruin your day, alot of people trying to do thier thing and not paying attention, you'll get bumbed into more then once.

have fun!

shhhhewww! thats alot for my first post!

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, oncea3fan

thanks for all the 1st hand info about the Dover race. Look forward to chatting more with you!

[oncea3fan]

buy me some bristol tickets and we can chat under cautions

[rookie83]

hey everyone, just wanted to say thanks SOOOO much for all the insider info!! i really appreciate it!! i haven't gotten a chance to read it all yet, i've been so busy at work this week, but i just wanted to stop by and say thank you to everyone who contributed! (feel free to add more info - every little bit helps!!) i also haven't decided who to cheer for yet... any suggestions??

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by rookie83

hey everyone, just wanted to say thanks SOOOO much for all the insider info!! i really appreciate it!! i haven't gotten a chance to read it all yet, i've been so busy at work this week, but i just wanted to stop by and say thank you to everyone who contributed! (feel free to add more info - every little bit helps!!) i also haven't decided who to cheer for yet... any suggestions??

Hey rookie83, My suggestion would be to root for the 38 & 88!