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

So the stars are aligning and I just may be able to make my first ever trip to Eldora for the Outlaws this weekend. I need to get this done before we have our first kid in you guessed it....... Mid-August (please go late). Weather is starting to look better which is crucial cause I won't drive 9 hours away from Knoxville to watch rain if its going to be sunny and racing back home. Anyhow, I am not going to purchase tickets in advance but rather at the gate. Will there be tickets available in good locations? Where is the best viewpoint if I prefer end of the straighaway speed and being able to see the entire track but would like to avoid having to much dust in the face since I'm also bringing the wife. Any tips on things to do or avoid during my trip. Any help would be appreciated.

Eldora has around 17,000 seats, so you'll be fine walking up to get tickets. 

If you want to avoid dust (there will be some), probably the covered frontstretch grandstand would be your best bet. For speed, you'll be in awe no matter what. I'd get a pit pass and watch them going in to turn 3, pretty awesome. You can also watch from the roof of the elevated pit building as well. 

Eldora is also in the middle of nowhere, literally, so not much to do until you get there. 

I bought a reserved seat for 4 Crown last summer, it was good, i think they all are

However, if you bring a folding chair, grassy area to the right of grandstand had every bit as good a view & much roomier. Thats my plan next time

The weather is looking better and I'm looking forward to it. It is eldora & it will be dusty especially compared to Knoxville but likes been mentioned under the covered stands may be best. You might consider bringing goggles.

im not sure of your interests outside racing but the Air Force museum in Dayton might do or closer to the track i believe there is a classic car show in Greenville (about 10-15 mile south of track)   

There will be plenty of seats. I love going to Eldora when it's not one of the huge shows. I'd recommend getting a pit pass, then after time trials or heat races come out and find a seat. 

With many years of experience going to Eldora, the very FIRST thing I do each time as soon as I walk in is look at the flag in the infield.....and sit up wind. If you sit downwind, you will be covered in dust - completly covered. If the wind is blowing from the north or northeast, I always sit at the top of the turn 3 grandstands. That gives you a great look out of 2, down the backstrech and all of 3 and 4. Depending on the haulers, you lose a little of turn one.

Safe travels. Hope the weather cooperates. USAC and WoO on the same ticket 2 nights in a row is a great show.

^^^this... I prefer this weekend over the KR. 

Wish I could go. As you probably know, KR took FOREVER last summer!

I have been going to this race for several years now, and you won't be disappointed! I was at the KR 3 days last year and really liked this race  just as much as the KR! Its an 8 hour drive for me, but it is a must see weekend for me! travel safe and enjoy!

Thanks all for the suggestions. Weather forecast for the weekend have been all over the place so far. I'm assuming out there in the middle of no where they will try to get both nights in no matter how late.

Horrible planning on your part....................I am speaking of the Mid-August child birth!     You better pray for a late-August or you will have 18 straight birthday parties to attend instead of the Nationals!!!!!

(In all seriousness just pray for a healthy kid and nothing else matters at that point)

If enough people show, and there are windows, they will try to get it in. 

WOrst case, there is no rain and they mess the track up, then you're there until 2am even with no rain, haha

Have, have, have to get a pizza steak and some hot balls of cheese. No track food better than these anywhere. IMHO I guess.

Amen to that! Theres a beautiful time slot between Nationals and the Season Championship night that Knoxville takes off every year. That would be perfect!

Definitely sit in the turn 4 reserved lawn chair seating, row two. the closer to the grandstand the better. Oh, and bring lawn chairs!

Lawn chairs are the most comfortable!  Bring goggles & if  the Mrs. doesn't like too much dirt, an old beach towel for a cover works good. We've sat just past the pit entrance in T-4 for 20yrs now.  We've camped in the front row across from the the showers behind the barn at the N. end of the track longer!   Look for the big white Chevy P/U & the  "Petey" BB boards.  Stop by & have a cold one!    Stubb

It's the bleachers or the hillside with a lawn chair above turn 1 for me. Dust isn't nearly as bad as 3 or 4 and the dust is also heavy in the main grandstand bleachers at times. Bring a jacket as it will get cool as soon as the sun goes down and if things get strung out it will get downright cold. My dad took me there for the first time when I was 5 in 1964. Missed 4 years in the early 80's when I was doin my thing for Uncle Sam. We still go a couple of times a year. Been to dirt tracks coast to coast. No place like Eldora. Enjoy!!!

REMEMBER OUR TROOPS!!!

Hot laps use to be thrilling, but now that it's a NASCAR track don't bother getting there early.  The dust flag is good advice.  Get a Pizza Steak sandwich.  Enjoy the 2 best sprint car groups, TONS of talent in the pit area this weekend.  Still love Elodra.  Miss Earl and Bernice and Starr.  Hopefully Tony will wake up and eliminate The slack. 

Rich M

If you want speed sit around section G or H on the straightaway. That is probably the high speed point on the track just before the throw it into turn 1. I would highly recommend if you are coming for both days that you move around a little bit during hot laps and the heat races. Get a pit pass so you can watch hot laps and qualifying in the pits to appreciate the speed and banking. Sit coming out of turn 4 a little bit so you can see all the slide job and cross over moves as well. Saturday you can pick what you liked best and stick to that but you probably will not be dissappointed.