Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I am headed out to Knoxville for the 410 week.  I am planning on Sunday to Friday, For reasons I will be unable to stay for Saturday and I'm ok with that.  What I want to know is... do I need to get advance tickets for wed, thurs, fri? Or will I be able to get them the week of?

Try the ticket office as there are tickets still available (or at least were recently).  I normally get my tickets out front (scalpers) of the track once I get to town for the week.  I enjoy moving around the track and sitting in different areas.  I have also bought tickets at the window for the night.  I have never had an issue and normally pay face value.  If you were there for Saturday, that might be an issue as it has sold out the last couple of years.

Thanks for the info... I was worried about getting stuck if there was a rainout.

Saturday will sell out and Friday has been very close lately. You don't need tickets in advance for Wednesday and Thursday For sure. I never have bought Wed Thurs early and always get middle of the back stretch around row 10-15 and that works out just fine. I have a wedding on Saturday night of the  Nationals. I might just send my well wishes to my buddy and skip if weather looks good week of the races just buy your Friday tickets when you get to town. I don't go through scalpers I'd rather Knoxville have my money personally.

Find KNIA/KRLS on your radio app and listen to Saturday for free. Have only seen Sat twice in the last 20 years as Wed/Thurs are almost always the best shows.

Friday has become pretty good too since the format change. IMO it's like another Wednesday / Thursday. 

But I'd agree with what others have said, Wed and Thursday you can still get tickets the day of. Saturday, scalpers only. For the past few years , people have been showing up earlier and earlier, including into the 360 nats. which may draw bigger crowds this year even despite the steady increase in crowd sizes. 

Keep It Real

Go to the ticket booth the day of each event, Wed. thru Fri., and pick out the seats you want.  As someone already said, Friday's seats may be a bit more limited, but they'll be available.  

I also would like to add, IMO, the backstretch is the best view on the grounds.  I have sat in damned near every seat in the house, and nothing compares to the view from the backstretch.  I prefer the middle sections, about 10-15 rows up.  The angle of the stands, and the height at which the first row starts, seems to put you on top of the action better than the front stretch.   

  But that's just me!  Enjoy!

It's not just you. I have been going to Knoxville my entire life and am in complete agreement that the middle of the backstretch is the best seat in the house. Steeper angled seats and the bleachers sit way closer to the track.

SHHHHHHHHHHH.   Maybe we shouldn't give away the secret........................... 

When we were there for the Outlaw show last month, we saw people filing into the backstretch.  My son immediately went down to the ticket booth and asked if it was open.  Nope.  Private party.  We were all ready to switch bleachers if they let us!!

I'm bummed I had to move to the front straight this year.   We really liked our seats coming out of 2 on the back straight. 

I echo what others have said. Try at least one night on the backstretch. 

Up vote this.

A couple of the posters mentioned sitting midway up the backstretch.  Good call but go sit for a couple of laps down low right where they come out of two.  Great perspective and you can feel the power.  Exhilarating!

Up vote this.

A couple of the posters mentioned sitting midway up the backstretch.  Good call but go sit for a couple of laps down low right where they come out of two.  Great perspective and you can feel the power.  Exhilarating!

I wish it was an option more often! You also don't have the sun to look at as it sets more off of turn three which is blinding on the front stretch but not the backstretch. Worst part of backstretch though is typically Southern winds during the summer months so you eat a lot more dirt.

Yes the view of them coming out of two is tremendous. Turn two is the slickest part of the race track weekly and it's packed with action. 

I converted to a Backstretcher about 10 years ago in Section R - Coming out of Turn 2. Awesome

You know on a weekly show anyone can pay 30$ to sit on the second level of the Hall of Fame in the indoor section. Fees of turn two there are really really good. I've done it wimath the Mrs and kids when it's too cold out to sit outside but also would work to avoid the heat. Come early and grab a good seat by the window. We brought in Rib Shack to eat there. It's been a couple years but I'm assuming you can still do it. Worth trying at least once!

Have you guys sat in the infield? I emailed the track to find out if anybody can buy a ticket but didn't hear back. Might do that on Friday this year. Been going since 79' and never experienced that perspective.

Have sat in the Front stretch Suites maybe 4-5 times for 360 Nationals, Been on the 2nd Floor in the HoF once, and got the chance to spend the evening in Don Longs suite on the 3rd floor of the HoF (with the outside observation deck). Out of the 3, Longs was by far the best obviously because you could be outside or inside, Close circuit TVs, Fridge for food & drinks & Room service (at least on the front stretch, not sure about the HoF). Each time was very cool and was glad I got to do it but in my heart of hearts I'm a Bleacher Creature and am perfectly happy sitting in the stands with the familiar weekly fans. the engine noise ect... The perks of the Suites are definately something you could force yourself into getting used to though! LOL.....  Actually almost got a chance to go to the 2nd floor of the Bryan Claussen tower about 3 weeks ago. I would like to do that once. I've heard mixed reviews about the Roof top view. Some like it and I have heard some say it is almost too far up. I would like to find out for myself though... 

I was in a suite in the Clausen tower a couple of years ago.  Nice view from the roof top looking down the back straight; really gives you a perspective on how much these cars move around.  Its a wonder there aren't more wrecks.  You are a bit high, but I wasn't complaining, with cold beer and snacks right there.  I'd recommend it at least once if you can get up there.

It was a little quieter so we could hear the radio announcer.