It’s never too early to start thinking about attending the big fall race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, especially if it’s your first race! Here are a few tips we have compiled for people attending races at Lowe’s.
Make the most of your day at the races
Following are some tips to help race fans prepare for the big NASCAR race events October 9-11 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and NHRA drag race events September 11-14 at the new zMAX Dragway at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Give yourself plenty of time to allow for traffic. As you near the track, traffic definitely slows down. However, as traffic slows, the activities increase, so relax and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Speedway officials urge race fans to arrive a couple of hours before the race to tailgate, visit pre-race displays, browse along souvenir row and enjoy pre-race activities. At the dragway’s NHRA event, every ticket is a pit pass, so give yourself plenty of time to get up close to the cars and interact with the crews. (Pit areas are also open during the 75 minutes between elimination rounds.)
Be sure your car has plenty of gas. Especially leaving the speedway, you will move slowly and may have to idle your engine at times. If you don’t like waiting in traffic, consider leaving the race early to pull ahead of the pack out of the parking lots.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Even if you plan on parking close to the track, and even though there are shuttles from the parking lots to the race, you will still to walk to take in all the sights, tastes and experiences. (For information about availability of wheelchairs for those with disabilities, please check www.lowesmotorspeedway.com)
Bring a backpack. If you are a serious souvenir shopper, a backpack will come in handy. However, backpacks must be 14”x14”x14” or smaller.
Remember where you parked your car. Finding your car in the vast parking areas can be a challenge, and it’s easy to be distracted with all the excitement around the track. Be sure to note where you park. Better yet, attach a colorful flag to your car’s antenna.
Prepare for noise. Bring earplugs, especially if you’re noise sensitive. If you’re expecting an important call on your cell phone, you may not be able to hear it ring, so put it on vibrate and check messages often. Or, you can rent a scanner with headphones from vendors at the track. This enables you to listen to the drivers and pit crews as they navigate the track and pit road.
Bring extra camera batteries. You will want to take lots of photos, and you don’t want to miss a great shot (or a great finish) because your battery dies.
Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Even if your seats are shaded you will get plenty of sunshine while you are out and about enjoying other activities.
Pack a cooler. Save money by bringing your own food. Toss a couple of chairs in your car, meet a couple of friends in the parking lot, and you have a pre- or post-race party. If you plan on bringing your cooler into the stadium, it cannot be larger than 14” x 14”.
Expect excitement. Even if you’re not a huge race fan, don’t expect to be bored. Everyone around you will be having such a great time that you can’t help getting caught up in the fun. It’s contagious!
For a detailed list of track regulations, please go to the Visitors tab on Lowe’s Motor Speedway’s website at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com
Courtesy of Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau
