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

My family and I are making our first trip to see the 50th Knoxville Nationals.

Would appreciate feedback on don't miss things to do etc.

Keep in mind my kids are 8 & 9 years old.

Ill try to keep this family oriented

#1 Take a hour or two to check out the Hall of Fame.

# 2 Take in the parade downtown (I think saturday)

#3 wonder the vendors barn located west of the grandstand & directly behind is usually drivers souvineers ect (arcade racing , kids might like)

#4 maybe try out Slideways Go Karts, Kids would get a kick out of, North on hwy 14 might be a wait, seems pretty buisy over the nationals.

#5 check out the Mini RC racers near downtown /daytime (again, kids should love it)

#6 Outlaw Karts race south of Knox during the day (these things move) Kids will be begging you for one

#7 My personal favorite! dosent cost a dime either ! Just wonder the back pit area during the day from the pit entrance gate to the north campgrounds (bit of a hike in 90+ degrees) take water for the kids , sunglasses , watch teams prepping cars, changing motors, complete teardowns of hotrods its pretty interesting and makes you feel in the real part of the action (just be curtious , most teams are approachable, with respect ) .

#8 Grab a "Bigfoot" (Pork loin sandwitch) reasonalbly priced (pretty big for a kid) find a parking spot on the wall at the track entrance and just people watch, traffic watch on 14

#9 if you get time away from the kiddies the Dingus is a casual spot for a adult beverage ,anytime, Oe, who can forget Bikini contest (possibly second anual) I think its Thursday at 2? I dont like elbow to elbow crowds , but, this is worth it .

There is usually a schedule of events handed out almost everywhere (pancake breakfast n such) listed on the schedule I would assume you get the item with your tickets , If its your first Knox Nationals experiance, there is plenty to do . Maybe not Disneyland, but, I never liked that mouse anyway ..lol

Correction on number 6:

The Dirt Kart Nationals will be run at night for the first time. These races will take place on Monday and Tuesday (same night as OSKY races) for those that dont go to Osky. Cost is $5 for spectator. Racing at night will give you some of the best racing you will see all week long. These karts AVERAGE 70mph on a 1/5 mile track.

Too look at some of the racing check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQBLgRanARE . This will give you an idea of what you will see. They also have kid classes running as well.

Outlaw cart Nationals are very affordable as well! Maybe $5 for adults, kids?? and a lot of good racing most of the day.

Tuesday lunch at the track (turn 4) Australian World Challenge hosts a free luch along with a meet & greet of some of the USA & Australian drivers in that race.

Dance / Live Bands Wed thru Friday under the stands (more for the teens & adults) and lasts until 12:00 or 1:00?? (maybe 2 but I don't think that late)

Just visit the track any day during the Nationals, the trade shows, driver autogragh sessions through out the day.

When you get to town tune your radio to 92.1 KNIA/KRLS, they will keep you informed on race results, good weather coverage & some of the happenings in the area through out the week.

Drive or just walk around and take it all in, you will see drivers / haulers literally everywhere and most are approachable and very friendly.

Oh, there use to be a big Knoxville Nationals Parade on Saturday mornings downtown on the square, not sure if they have that still either! Last time I seen that Dude was running local so it's been a while.

Come two days early and watch the races at Oskaloosa, always a great way to start the Nationals week!

Just what is this Nationals thingy you guys/gals speak of?

Fairly large event in the middle of the country where sometimes they put a LIVE microphone in your face.

LOL

The greatest knowledge is to know that you know nothing
at all.

I have a 6 and 10 year old, here are some of the things they enjoy (plus some are air conditioned if the weather is brutal that week)

Science Center of Iowa www.sciowa.org

IMAX dome theater (take in a movie at the Science Center in IMAX)

Bowling @ Bass Pro Shops in Altoona (~35 minutes from Knoxville), suburb of DesMoines

Take the kids to the park and let them have fun (Auld Park in Knoxville, Parks in Pella, Water works Park in DesMoines).

National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Musuem ($4 admission for adults, kids are $2 I think) www.sprintcarhof.com

Take a tour @ Iowa Speedway in Newton www.iowaspeedway.com

Enjoy the Lake area (bring a bike and enjoy the bike trails around Lake Red Rock (10 miles from the track)

Take the kids swimming - Pella has a very nice aquatic center and you just may bump into a race driver or two with their kids (I saw Fred Rahmer with his triplets there last year (about 2 hours before he was on the track taking hot laps)).

Lots of other things in the area as well, try www.redrockarea.com and you'll find links to other things as well.

not running during the day the rest of the week?

This is also listed under the Lake Red Rock website that somebody posted above. The Cordova Park Observation Tower is a nice family thing to do. It offers a spectacular view! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordova_Tower

Jeff Wesell
Hartford, WI

If your kids have never done a corn maze, they will have fun with the one south of Knoxville at Dan-D Farms. This year, they are doing one in the shape of the 50th logo from what I've heard. www.dandfarms.com

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

Used to run during the day on Wed, Thurs, and Frid but the racing was like any other day race. Hot, Dusty, and follow the leader. By going at night the racing will be a whole lot better and the competition will be better as well as more people will come to race from all over the country on one of the premier dirt kart tracks in the country because it will be great racing. Former Camping World Truck Driver Nitro Nick Tucker from North Carolina was the winner last year and will be back to defend his title. Should be a great show.

I'd rather be in Knoxville.

TexDel, this is my favorite thread every year! I am in your situation. I have a (now) 11-year-old and a 9-year-old. They are on their 5th Nationals, so over the years, we've learned the area and discovered that there are actually a great number of things to do within a short drive of Des Moines.

I pick up something new every year from this discussion.

We actually stay out in West Des Moines in Jordan Creek. Great restaurants and a really nice area. We sort of purposely choose to be around racing and the track only at night, and to find other vacation-ish things to do during the day for the kids.

It's about a 50 minute drive back to the hotel, but since Iowa can't spell T-R-A-F-F-I-C, and they keep their roads so smooth, I hardly notice it. I need a good hour to wind down after a race anyway.

Here's the stuff I can think of that we've done over the years. Everything on my list came at the advice of the Hosers:

Living History Farms: http://www.lhf.org/

Rent Bicycles at Saylorville Lake: http://www.saylorvillemarina.com/

Adventureland: http://www.adventurelandpark.com/

Science Center of Iowa: http://www.sciowa.org/

Iowa State Fair: http://www.iowastatefair.com/

Horseback Riding at Jester Park: http://www.jesterparkec.com/Calendar.htm

Canoes at Seven Oaks http://www.sevenoaksrec.com/

Hall of Fame is a must see. Just get to the track early one of the nights: www.sprintcarhof.com

John Wayne Birthplace: http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/index2.html

Madison County Historical museum http://www.madisoncountyhistoricalsociety.com/

Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone: http://www.scenic-valleyrr.com/

Things I wouldn't do again:

Fort Dodge: http://www.fortmuseum.com/ (interesting...but too far to drive)

Driving the Bridges of Madison County: http://madisoncounty.com/index.php?page=the-bridges (boring...)

Food and Parking:

If this is your first year, you might not be familiar with the hospitality in the area immediately surrounding the track. People set up parking lots on their lawns and some will even sell you a "multi-night parking pass," so you just show up and you have a parking space. This is really cool for us since we are up in Des Moines during the day and generally arrive close to 8:00pm.

Tons of great food choices around the track. We actually got hooked on the butterfly chop sandwiches at the Iowa Pork Producers tent last year. Kids thought it was great fun. They were set up inside an auto repair facility just across from the track. Picnic tables inside and BBQ sauce coming out of big hanging udders. Great stuff when you're from California. The track itself makes a great cheeseburger and fries too.

coming to the Nationals and bringing your kids will NOT be a decision you regret!

WOW!!!

Thanks for all the replies and great info. My wife was actually keen on the idea of going to the 50th Nationals. I'm lucky to get her to one race a year around here. I've always wanted to attend, but the Air Force kept me away for 22 years. My little boy is hooked on sprint cars my daughter enjoys the spoiler role and rooting against us.

We are staying in Pella so the drive won't be to bad each day. Great tip on parking at the races. We were wondering how that was going to work out each night.

Jeff

I can't believe no one said anything about Udders Steak House north of town. You pick out your own piece of meat, grill it over hot coals and enjoy a cold beverage while doing it. Make your own garlic toast to eat while grilling. A must eat place. You will get a belly full with the great salad bar and meal.

811 E Thompson St 
Taylorville IL 62568

humm, Ill keep it in mind, is that located just north (More ) of the North campground? Another thing to keep in mind (Hosers help me here ) is the Queen pagent , I believe it is earlier in the week? correct? Maybe something your wife and daughter might like to take in ? usually a group of Knox/Des Moine natives, along with some drivers daughters, (sometimes a link to a driver,crew,owner) participate , I think judging is up to weekly drivers? not positive on this date /time ? someone please chime in with more info

Queen contest is Tuesday. Garage sales all around town all week, if you're into that kind of thing, and have a way to get your treasures home. I like the Ribeye sandwiches at the Marion County Cattlemen's tent just inside the main gate, there are several good food stands in the HyVee parking lot across from the track. #7 in the first response is a great idea, if you want to see the cars and crews up close. Wouldn't take the kids to the bands afterwards for very long, the drunks can get rowdy in pretty short order. Renting parking in a yard is great, the folks at the houses are fun to talk to, you can make some good friends. People tailgate in the yards when they park. If you're there on Tuesday you can pretty much have your choice and reserve a spot for the week. Udders is a mile or two north of town, east side of Hwy 14, definitely a driving trip. Parade is Sat AM. State Fair is amazing, stay away from the rides, take the kids to Adventureland for rides. Check the livestock barns at the fair to see some hard working kids with their critters. Varied Industries building has more oddball stuff to say no to than you can shake a tenderloin on a stick at. Bill Engval has a great routine on one of his CDs about going to the State Fair. Butter Cow and whatever else they sculpt this year is something you should see, once. But don't get too worn out, you've got 4 nights of racing to survive. Have a good time, and welcome to Iowa.

Whitebreast beach on Lake Red Rock is a good place for a family. Costs $3 per car, bring your lunch and cooler. Also alot of bike and walking trails. Have a great time.