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

Hey everyone,

So did this a few years ago about Williams Grove, and well. That got ugly fast. So, i figure I would write about my first ever trip to Knoxville from this past weekend at "The one and only". Disclaimer, I am by no means an elegant writer so bare with me. 

I'm going to start this with a little backstory. I live in the Akron Ohio area, been going to races pretty much my whole life. With Covid the Kings Royal was cancelled so my buddy Dan, His Fiance Nichole and I made plans to go to Knoxville. (They were already going to the Nationals). 

I was worried about ticket availability so when someone from here posted a link, I jumped on it. Tickets secured, we secured a new camping spot (Howell Station, Awesome place, but next year I want to camp in Knoxville. I need to upgrade my tent to a camper). I'm going to say that this trip blew me away. Ive been telling everyone how I've never been to a place where racing, specifically sprint car racing was everywhere. It really is the sprint car capitol of the world. First Impression as I walked up to the track from our parking spot, I felt like I was walking up to Wrigley field, or Lambeau, or Even Indy. Good food, plenty of restrooms (although I suspect during a "normal" Nationals that they are always full). One thing I will point out, that was VASTLY different from Williams Grove, everyone was so damn friendly. From the workers, fellow fans, everyone. The racing was good, I'm sure there have been "better" races, but honestly I felt that on a half mile the racing was great! I'm from Ohio, we have dust, lots of it. Its been FOREVER since I went to a race where I didint feel like I needed an Immediate shower. I never got a chance to check out slideways, or rib shack. But, Mr C's was great for breakfast, thats for the tip @Knoxvillemoths. The hall of fame was cool, and worth the entry. But, I will say here are the only things I did not care for, or didnt know before hand. Parking. The parking situation flat out sucks. For a track with that much history, and that much capacity, should have some better options, but hey I met cool people when I parked in their side yard. This was a first also for having to pay to park, even on track property on thursday when we got there eartly. It was only $10, not a big deal. But I would have liked to know that earlier, but not a huge deal. Dingus was cool, but we didnt stay long. I just wanted to say I had a drink there, and get a picture of beabers sticker for him on the DJ booth. Honestly, I had a great time. I can't wait to go back, and hopefully with a camper. Oh, and by the way, I'm a huge Larson fan. Yeah the slider was a little dirty on Logan for the win. But, hey it was for the lead. Logan has a brake pedal also. 

ok, lets hear the comments!

I think most people when they leave Knoxville for the first time are thinking "I can't wait to go back". Everything about Knoxville is top notch, the racing, the people, the atmosphere. It's all good and I'm glad you had a good experience. 

beero----glad you had a great time.  Now for the even better news----as great as the weekend was, it was only a teaser compared to what you are going to experience when you attend your first Nationals!  I thought the racing was great as well.  However, if you continue to go, you are going to see even better races over the long run.  Track prep is second to none.  If they miss it, they don't miss by much.  I've been to 19 straight Nationals/One and Only's, the Outlaw June show about 5 or 6 times, and a couple of Late Model Nationals.  Knoxville is my favorite place on earth. 

To comment on a couple of your points, the restrooms are only a pain in the ass on Saturday night of the Nationals.  Otherwise, they are pretty decent.  Food is great, and you will see many more food booths at the Nats.  Souvenir stands were about 1/3 to 1/2 the usual.  There will be many more stands down hwy 14.  However, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of vendors, the turnout of fans, and the better than expected atmosphere.  

In the future, should you choose to attend the Nationals, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday generally produce the best racing the entire week.  However, nothing compares to the atmosphere around that track all day Saturday before the main event.  People, people, and more people.  All with smiles on their faces----once the hangover is gone.  The MRN stage.  Live bands in front of the grandstands all day and night.  (each day)   Everyone and everywhere in town is buzzing.

Finally, your comment about the friendly people.  No doubt!  Everyone is there to enjoy the Nationals and do they ever.  I don't even recall having a crossed word with anyone in Knoxville in 19 years.  The entire event is, like the one banner always says "Welcome to Woodstock on Wheels"

Glad you had a great time.  The worst part is driving out of town on Sunday morning.  

If you thought this past weekend was great for Knoxville just wait until next year. This past weekend is probably maybe 50% at best the type of atmosphere that Knoxville normally is for the Nationals. I was pleasantly surprised this past weekend as I thought it would have completely lost the feel of that of the Nationals but for the most part, it was still there. Typically there are a lot more food vendors and merchandise vendors around. Usually a lot of the Outlaw driver's tshirt stands are on the main street and a lot of the locals a along with the True Outlaws type schedule drivers are inside the grounds. The barn outside of turn 4 normally has vendors as well plus the concourse.

The racing was great as always throughout the field and typically during the Nationals its even better and I do not mean that as a knock on this past weekend because it was still great. I agree with you about the difference in Ohio tracks (I live just outside of Columbus) and Knoxville and depending on where you it at Knoxville, you basically get no dirt on you compared to Ohio tracks.

Knoxville is by far the most friendlist racing atmosphere I have been around. People just striking up a conversation out of no where with you just being friendly. You sit down anywhere no doubt you will have a conversation with some stranger about where you are from & where they are from, what races tracks the 2 of you have been to, best races you have been to, etc. I usually go to the Kings Royal and that is almost like a full on college spring break type party versus the Nationals being a family reunion/state fair/town celebration type feel. People of all ages acting like kids during Christmas time because they are at Knoxville.

You should definately try the Rib Shack next time. I love BBQ and it is one of if not the top place I have ever eaten at. I usually eat at least 1 if not 2 meals there each day I am at Knoxville. The Cattleman's cookout next to Dingus is great and the Rotary Club that normally cooks near the Hall of Fame is great too. You shouldn't have any problems parking if you are camping in Knoxville next year but we always try to get into town before noon and just park on one of the side streets just south of the track across from the softball fields. That is always free and you are going to be walking around anyway so might as well save $10-$20.

"Knoxville is by far the most friendlist racing atmosphere I have been around "

Thats cause its "Woodstock on Wheels"!

Anither reason its friendly is cause its majority out of towners, meeting other out of towners. Local tracks have local cliques

It sounds like you're first trip to Knoxville would be similar to mine.   I was awestruck by the place too.   I'm from a place where there isn't much sprint car racing any more, and that's Texas.   We have no 410 racing anywhere in the state.  We only have 360 racing with Sprint Car Bandits and an occasional ASCS regional race. We only have Devils Bowl running 305s weekly, and I don't care much for 305s.   We don't have any facilities that are like Knoxville, that's for sure.    

I've never been to Pennsylvania, but based on your description of their fans it doesn't sound like I'd want to.    Everyone we've run into at Knoxville has been awesome.   It has been great to talk to friendly people of all ages and compare racing in their home state to what we've experienced.   I'm glad you enjoyed it.   I can't wait until the day I get to go back.  

haha parking for me (went a couple years ago) was a highlight.  Got there early and parked at the Hy-Vee right by the exit.  Easy in and easy out.  On the highway in no time.  Ummmm is that store across the street called hy-vee?  I am not 100% on the name sorry

My wife and I went to PA , the grove a few years back for 2 nights. We didnt meet a lot if fans and we were only mixing eith fans at the track but our  encounter with total random fans was awesome. Helpful when we had questions, from parking to drivers and teams. Where yo eat and sleep and just good conversation with strangers. The PA fans never gave us 1 reason to dislike them. I even settled into some reserved seats, knowingly, hoping that person  eouldnt show up and he did, but he sat beside us and helped us enjoy our visit.

Even though I may not know you, I 
care what most of you think!

PKND is a VERY REAL THING...

POST KNOXVILLE NATIONALS DEPRESSION...

For me it actually usually starts on Friday of the Nationals and here it is 3 days later and it's not much better.

I have been to Nats every year since 2017 & went all 3 nights this past weekend.  Knoxville Nationals as an event stands alone in terms of scope in the dirt track world.  World 100 at Eldora comes close but it doesn't have the full week build up.  Never been to Chili Bowl but I'm guessing it is similar to Knoxville.

I really thought the WoO & track management did a wonderful job this past weekend to put on an event that was the best it could be given the circumstances.  Track prep was top notch as it always seems to be there.  

Plan to come back for a full Nationals next year & get the full treatment.  

Imagine it being Nationals for your first visit... 

On the parking topic, I guess I don't struggle with parking ever and I never pay to park. How far is too far to walk? Usually you can out walk traffic and I have a few places that always seem to have parking. Even if my spots are within reasonable distance, idk if I'll give up that info.

Very true!!!

I usually start to feel depression when I'm finishing that last drink at the camper Saturday night around midnight or 1:00 a.m.   The real depression sets in when I awake in the camper and realize it's Sunday morning.  

Most of the time, you're giving $5-10 bucks a night to a local sports team or church. Part of the reason local people are so nice to the race fans are because we generate a lot of revenue for them. It's a small price to pay. 

Yep, it's called Hy-Vee.   I park in the Chamber of Commerce lot in the park on the south side of the track.   It's expensive for a paved spot, but it's close and at least one of my guys needs the walk to be short.  

The pay spots are 90% for charity, but plenty of free parking within 2-3 blocks...

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I don't even know who you are anymore....LAST BEER @midnight, or 1am?

Try going to both 360 and 410 Nationals and the races in between. I've been doing this for the past 4 years. A great vacation. We haul a 5th wheel and camp out.

Saturday night only Maddog!  The other "nights" are actually "mid-mornings"   

Fans in Pa. are OK, just have the "local clique" factor going. At Knoxville most everybody is from out of town, eager to meet new friends & old friends from past Nationals