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

We are planning our first trip to knoxville this year. Seats are D section in lower rows are these decent? And staying in newton. is this to far to commute back and forth. And is it really worth it in the end? thanks      any input on dining hot spots and gatherings will be appreciated   thnk you everyonne

Section D should be fine as they take the haulers out of the infield during the Nationals. Newton is only about a 25 mile drive from Knoxville, and the racetrack is on the North end of town. Not a bad drive at all. I usualy grill with friends or eat at the track so I can't help with that part. When you get to the track keep in mind which way you will be going after the races and park accordingly. You don't want to have to cross 2 lanes of south bound traffic to go North. The church just south of the bowling alley on the east side of the road is a good place to park and you can buy a 4 night parking pass so you will always know you have a place to park. It is about a 1/2 mile walk to the track from the church.

While your note does not say it, I am assuming that you are going for the nationals.   If this is the case, I would recommend the Nationals parade on Saturday morning.   It is a combination of sprint cars and small time charm in a great parade.  The Sprint Car Hall of Fame is a great visit.   Also,  you should spend some time on the souvineers stands.   You see souvineers from teams that you normally do not see.   Most of the major teams will have a special edition knoxville shirt.  

There is a local radio station that does a live remote from the track and you can listen through out the day to get updates and they do a great pre-race show.

Finally, many people rave about the pre-party/post-party at the Dingus.   It is right accross the street from the track.

Yes the nationals is correct. Thnk you for all the responses. 

Newton is a great place to stay.  Do not be in a hurry each  night to leave track, go to pits and kill some time while others try to get out of Knoxville with traffic and all.

Ok will do! Thnks again for the help. Hope it's a great one for all 

Lots of good food and souvenirs before the races outside of the track so plan to get there early.  It's also fun to go around town and watch the crews working on the cars.  Great time to get pictures and autographs.  There are haulers everywhere!

Slideways Karting Center will be on your way into town.

The Lions Club or Optimists Club has homemade pie with ice cream outside of the Hall of Fame - delish.

And yes, it is worth it.  17 years of attending and I am probably a newbie compared to many on this board.

The Knoxville Nationals is an event like no other. Take in everything, ask locals and other fans as they know all the best places. Is it worth it??? I've been to dirt tracks and WOO races from Florida to PA to Washington State to Ascot and Knoxville is heads and shoulders above the rest.

By the way, don't speed, no open beer and mind your P's and Q's. The Knoxville police STRICTLY enforce the laws! 

This year will be my third trip to Knoxville.   In 2012 I went to the 360 Nationals.  This last year I went to the 410 Nationals.  My goal for the future is to eventually go for both weeks.   Definetly visit the Hall of Fame while you're there.   We stayed in Altoona at the Prairie Meadows casino hotel.  It may be a little more expensive, but pretty good fun if you wanna hit the casino when you get back to the track.   This year we're staying at the Meskwaki (spelling?) casino hotel about 45 minutes north of the track.  Supposedly it's cheaper and the food out there is better.  You will definetly be in for a good time no matter where you stay.  

If you are in town early you may want to attened the Outlaw Dirt Kart nationals. That is the future in sprint cars. That is where Kyle Larson got his first main event win in the midwest.

Vist www.englishcreekspeedway.com for more information

Be careful as you go down to Knoxville and back up after the races.  The radar boys will be trying to lighten your wallet.  Enjoyed all my nineteen National visits thus far and enjoyed maintaining the speed limit no matter what it was.

Does Larson and the other NASCAR guys run knoxville nats? Stewart sten house ad what about PA posse guys ?

Larson did last year but for the rest of the nascar guys no and there are a couple of the Pa. boys that show up. I think you will have a good first trip to the Nats. This will be #26 for us.

The PA posse guys will show up for the qualifiying days.   If they do well on thier qualifying night, they will stay for Friday and Saturday.   If they dont do well on thier qualifying night, they will leave to go back home.  There are always a couple of no-shows come Saturday night in the early main events.

Allways have to have one meal at the Catlemens assoc at the track. Great steak sandwich and corn on the cob dipped in butter! 

Dave Boy

I don't know if it matters to you but Mesquaki Casino is proably an hour and 10 min or so from Knoxvile.

I definetly appreciate the heads up.    It's been taking around 45 to 50 minutes to get to the track from Prairie Meadows.    We knew Mesquaki was a litte farther.    Personally, I like Prairie Meadows but the rest of my gang wanted to try Mesquaki.   It is cheaper by a good bit, and supposedly the food and casino are better.   

Do you have any experience with Mesquaki or Prairie Meadows?    Would be cool to talk to someone who had experienced both places.

Hey Oswald let him have your parking spot! Lol

Usac7,

Don't know where you are coming from or how long you are staying but there are many, many things to do both around the track and in the area. 

Iowa State Fair in DesMoines

Slideways Karting Center (I'm pretty sure there will be a Kick-IT event there again in 2014 with Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart)

Kick-It (kickball) game on Friday morning featuring drivers, crews and the like.

Parade (Saturday morning)

Queen Contest (Tuesday night)

T-shirt trailers galore

Vendors

Food

Historic Pella is just 15 mintues away

Peace Tree Brewery in downtown Knoxville (they do tours if you contact them) - microbrew

Shopping (if you or the gropu you are with like to do that) in West DesMoines @ Jordan Creek Town Center

Hanging out and meeting people (you never know who you will meet and where people travel from, I've met people from New Zealand, England, South Africa, Austrailia,  Canada and nearly every state in the USA).

The atmosphere is unlike any other event I've ever attended (including the Daytona 500 and numerous Indycar races).  EVERYONE is a SUPERFAN as opposed to some just being there because of what the event is (like the corporate types that attend the Superbowl).

Hope you enjoy your trip!

22yrs of going to the nationals and did my 1st one sober last year.  Guess what !? Its still a fantastic time.  Great racing great people great atmosphere ! Bring clothes for everything but snow , I've seen it all in the 2nd week of Aug in Knoxville!  There's a great golf course by pella called Bos Landen. Awesome course but some of the members can be insulferable pricks ! Rib shack is always gd next to track and the little diner next to peace tree has awesome breakfast ! Hell yes its worth it. I hope u have a great time!