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

Topic: Knoxville Nationals First Timer
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Mafia
February 23, 2020 at 02:02:21 PM
Joined: 02/08/2007
Posts: 55
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First time heading to the Knoxville Nationals.

We are staying in Indianola

Mind you, one in our group is in a wheel chair.

What are some must sees?

Where to park?

Where to eat?

 

 

 

 

 

 



JonR
February 23, 2020 at 02:12:36 PM
Joined: 05/28/2008
Posts: 872
Reply

On Saturday morning, there is a Knoxville National Parade in Knoxville.   It is always a great time, but then again I am a sucker for a parade.   

I would definitely call the track about handicapped parking.   I think that there is a limited supply of parking spots.   Also, the same conversation about the use of the elevator.  I have never had to deal with either, but I seem to remember a sign saying no more handicapped spaces and the lines for the elevator are always long. 



410mudslinger
February 23, 2020 at 07:52:26 PM
Joined: 04/20/2018
Posts: 16
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Mafia on February 23 2020 at 02:02:21 PM

First time heading to the Knoxville Nationals.

We are staying in Indianola

Mind you, one in our group is in a wheel chair.

What are some must sees?

Where to park?

Where to eat?

 

 

 

 

 

 



4 of us went last year for the first time. It was on our bucket list. We also stayed in Indianola, not far from the track, had a blast, awesome experience. If you get a chance take a day and go to the Iowa state fair, you will not be sorry, the food they have there is mind boggling, super clean just a great way to spend a day before the races, also I think Saturday Des Moines has a pretty big farmers market, we didn't get to that, wish we would have gone. Overall you will not be disappointed with your Knoxville trip, hope to get back there again someday. 

         Good Luck and have fun



Hooper31
February 24, 2020 at 08:02:19 AM
Joined: 09/03/2017
Posts: 364
Reply

First time for me this year too. Headed there with two buddies. Staying in Des Moines. Going to drive all the way across the country from Washington state. Will be there from Sunday to Sunday so we can catch Capi Classic and the Front Row Challenge. Maybe sneak in some golf. Wide open to suggestions. 

Must hit restaurants?

Must hit golf course?

Must hit attractions?



chilly
February 24, 2020 at 10:00:53 AM
Joined: 12/01/2004
Posts: 975
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Hooper31 on February 24 2020 at 08:02:19 AM

First time for me this year too. Headed there with two buddies. Staying in Des Moines. Going to drive all the way across the country from Washington state. Will be there from Sunday to Sunday so we can catch Capi Classic and the Front Row Challenge. Maybe sneak in some golf. Wide open to suggestions. 

Must hit restaurants?

Must hit golf course?

Must hit attractions?



There are a lot of good non-chain/authentic restaurants closer to downtown.  The Iowa Tap Room to the east of downtown has a crazy wide variety of good craft beer from the state as well as pretty good food.  Jethros has pretty good BBQ, and there are now like 7 of them in the DSM metro.  

For golf courses, closer to Knoxville, Bos Landen in Pella is fun (and challenging).

In Des Moines, Waveland is a really old, hilly, cool city course... lot of mature trees, pretty well maintained, etc.  

To the north of Des Moines, Tournament Club of Iowa (TCI) in Polk City is a really nice course... challenging, but fun.  

To the south of Des Moines, Legacy in Norwalk is well maintained, challenging, etc.  

None of those courses I listed are that easy... but any day at the golf course or racetrack is better than work!  



revjimk
February 24, 2020 at 12:38:10 PM
Joined: 09/14/2010
Posts: 7595
Reply
This message was edited on February 24, 2020 at 12:43:48 PM by revjimk

Depends on what you like...

Rib joint near the track is good, I liked the Mexican resturant in town too (but some guy from Arizona disagreed. I lived in Colorado 41 years & as big a Mexican food snob as there is...so???)

Food at the track is good too. Cattleman's Assoc. for steak & corn on the cob. I like Asian chicken & Pork tenderloin booths

I like to exercise/swim/ shoot hoops at town Rec Center

Hall of Fame is a no brainer. Check for special events/interviews. Nonstop films there too

If you're drinkers, Dingus is the place to be, right near the track

Plenty of stuff going on in town, lotsa tag sales, I think there's a hotrod cruise/show (?) Just hang out & do whatever floats your boat. Lots of fans from all over the world to BS with

Oh wait.... its usually during Perseid meteor showers. On the way home, stop near some corn fields with no light pollution & watch the show!

 



Hooper31
February 24, 2020 at 03:34:10 PM
Joined: 09/03/2017
Posts: 364
Reply

Thanks for the responses, gentlemen. Appreciate the feedback. 



Mafia
March 05, 2020 at 06:20:11 AM
Joined: 02/08/2007
Posts: 55
Reply

Are there any vendors sell old die cast or other sprint car merchandise?

 

Or, is just driver and track merchandise?



egras
March 05, 2020 at 06:34:29 AM
Joined: 08/16/2009
Posts: 3913
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Mafia on March 05 2020 at 06:20:11 AM

Are there any vendors sell old die cast or other sprint car merchandise?

 

Or, is just driver and track merchandise?



tons of vendors besides the driver's trailers at the Nationals



Paintboss
MyWebsite
March 05, 2020 at 08:20:35 AM
Joined: 12/02/2004
Posts: 2098
Reply

In all my years I have never been disappointed at the Nationals.Having been to Knoxville many many times through out the years and to this day when ever I pull into town there is this feeling of awesomeness that takes over, You follow the Checker Flagged lined Highway into town and  and in less than 4-5 minutes you see the huge stands, Museum and towering walls of turns #1 & #2 of the race track no further than 30ft off of the side of the road and the awesomeness even steps up another level.... I'm telling you it never gets old for me. I hope you all enjoy your week, Don't be shy to ask around and talk to folks for tips / advise. Most race fans are  friendly and willing to help out if they can.



bgtexpress
March 05, 2020 at 08:32:04 AM
Joined: 10/19/2016
Posts: 837
Reply
This message was edited on March 05, 2020 at 09:04:04 AM by bgtexpress
Reply to:
Posted By: Paintboss on March 05 2020 at 08:20:35 AM

In all my years I have never been disappointed at the Nationals.Having been to Knoxville many many times through out the years and to this day when ever I pull into town there is this feeling of awesomeness that takes over, You follow the Checker Flagged lined Highway into town and  and in less than 4-5 minutes you see the huge stands, Museum and towering walls of turns #1 & #2 of the race track no further than 30ft off of the side of the road and the awesomeness even steps up another level.... I'm telling you it never gets old for me. I hope you all enjoy your week, Don't be shy to ask around and talk to folks for tips / advise. Most race fans are  friendly and willing to help out if they can.



Made the trip twice, 2000 & 2017 and feel the exact same way. What struck me was when I saw the track for the very first time and saw how close turns one and two are to the street....I'd go every year if circumstances and finances allowed......Awesome experience.



RodinCanada
MyWebsite
March 05, 2020 at 09:15:46 AM
Joined: 07/24/2016
Posts: 1720
Reply

I was there once for Nats and once for a reg show back in the 90s. The Nats was 1st and set the atmosphere that lingered to my weekly race visit. Funny but of all the awesome things to remember the proximity of corners 1 and 2 on the edge of the street will never fade.


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

Moparcar250
March 05, 2020 at 09:30:51 AM
Joined: 12/04/2018
Posts: 113
Reply

You have to go to DINGUS LOUNGE 



highspeeddirt
March 05, 2020 at 02:12:32 PM
Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 399
Reply

Talk to ROTORGLOW it sounds like he does it first class all the way. Make sure you splurge for the fancy hose sprayer tho.



egras
March 05, 2020 at 06:09:07 PM
Joined: 08/16/2009
Posts: 3913
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: highspeeddirt on March 05 2020 at 02:12:32 PM

Talk to ROTORGLOW it sounds like he does it first class all the way. Make sure you splurge for the fancy hose sprayer tho.



:)     Very nice!!!     



egras
March 05, 2020 at 06:17:19 PM
Joined: 08/16/2009
Posts: 3913
Reply
This message was edited on March 05, 2020 at 06:17:56 PM by egras
Reply to:
Posted By: Paintboss on March 05 2020 at 08:20:35 AM

In all my years I have never been disappointed at the Nationals.Having been to Knoxville many many times through out the years and to this day when ever I pull into town there is this feeling of awesomeness that takes over, You follow the Checker Flagged lined Highway into town and  and in less than 4-5 minutes you see the huge stands, Museum and towering walls of turns #1 & #2 of the race track no further than 30ft off of the side of the road and the awesomeness even steps up another level.... I'm telling you it never gets old for me. I hope you all enjoy your week, Don't be shy to ask around and talk to folks for tips / advise. Most race fans are  friendly and willing to help out if they can.



Everything you say +1000!

I live 250 miles away and have made it to every Nationals, whether it be for Saturday night, or all 4 nights of the 410's----since 2002.  This last year, I made my first trip out the weekend before and this year will be the same.  (although I have to go home for work Monday morning and can't return until Thursday night this year)

 

Just the buildup for the weeks leading up to the Nationals is like waiting for Christmas morning as a 10 year old!  When I finally turn south off of I-80 and start heading towards Knoxville for the last 20 miles, I feel like I'm there!  I've been to some really good Nationals (2010 and 2016 to name 2) and some really forgettable Nationals.  You know what they both have in common?  I can't wait to get back the next year!!!!   Because at some point, you're going to witness something unforgettable!!   

Even if this year's Nationals doesn't live up to the hype, the atmosphere alone will bring you back until you witness that great racing moment.  

 



whemme
March 05, 2020 at 06:51:23 PM
Joined: 05/20/2017
Posts: 96
Reply
This message was edited on March 05, 2020 at 06:55:32 PM by whemme

Actually that street right next to turns 1 & 2 is US Highway 14 running north/south thru the west side of town. In the early days it was not uncommon for a sprint car to leap over the fence and end up in that street. Now with the really high wall and fencing, sometimes a tire will make into the street.



revjimk
March 05, 2020 at 07:30:57 PM
Joined: 09/14/2010
Posts: 7595
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Mafia on March 05 2020 at 06:20:11 AM

Are there any vendors sell old die cast or other sprint car merchandise?

 

Or, is just driver and track merchandise?



There's a big building on the West side of the track (past turns 3 & 4) where they have lots of diecast stuff....



turn4guy
March 06, 2020 at 05:14:00 PM
Joined: 04/23/2015
Posts: 881
Reply

For us ordering tickets in advance....is a 4 day package really needed? Wednesday and Thursday crowds look a little light and it seems like you could just get tix at the track.  Also who would I contact about places for rent in town? I'd rather stay as close to the track as we can. 



Mafia
March 11, 2020 at 07:15:34 AM
Joined: 02/08/2007
Posts: 55
Reply

Thanks everyone for your input.

I can"t wait!!



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