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

I'm planning a first time trip and was suggested to secure parking ahead of time 

any suggestions?

Lots of people rent spaces in their yards. Should not be a problem!

What direction will you be heading after the races?  

South or east 

If you're heading South, I'd park on the West side of Highway 14, south of the track.  I don't walk by this part of town on the way to the track, but you can likely just find paid parking in someone's yard, or along the street.  Then, you can just turn right onto the highway, and get the hell out of there after the races!!  

If you don't mind a little congestion (It's not like it's Washington DC at rush hour) there is paid parking ALL OVER directly east of the track.  The entire neighborhood around the Hyvee has folks selling parking spots in their grass, and any street that isn't marked "no parking" is fair game.  

Hope that helps!  You shouldn't have any issues.  Especially if you get there early in the afternoon.  

If you're going south don't park north of the track or you'll get stuck in a ton of traffic. Sounds trite but it'll save you a ton of time. 

Celebrate Community Church. Directly across route 14 from turns 1 and 2. Four day pass is $100.00. Individual reserved parking spaces Wednesday thru Saturday. Address is1005 N. Lincoln Street, Knoxville IA 50138. Phone 641-828-7603. Suggest you call to inquire about any open spaces for 2025.

Cheap method:

Wednesday and Thursday nights you can do free on street parking south and east of the track, you might be 5 to 12 blocks away, also folks with yard parking for a fee, a little cheaper than by the track and easy to leave. Friday and especially Saturday is trickier unless you get to town pretty early as the locals also park in that neighborhood.

Think about how you're going to leave town Saturday night before you commit to park in a yard or one the bigger yards closer to the track. Sometimes you get landlocked waiting to leave the bigger lots, only one way out or there's a vehicle blocking an exit. You do not want to be too close to the 92/14 intersection south of the track as you can't get out on 92 off of the side streets very easily, especially east (left). 

For the  local Iowans: Will the bridge over Red Rocks north be open for the Nationals? If not, is 92/5 the easiest way back to Des Moines?

The bridge is supposed to be closed until October.  Not sure to/from the west as we come from the east.   

I'm pretty sure Knoxville still has a shuttle service during Nationals which makes a stop at N.Campgrounds, County Park Campgrounds, Walmart and downtown (maybe other stops) You may be able to find parking near one of those stop points and take the shuttle right to the track. At one time it was free but I believe there is a charge for it now but last I heard it was reasonable.

The shuttles run through out the day and for about an hour or so after the races. Just a thought. 

I driven south after the races many many years. My usual plan is to park SE of the track, and turn RIGHT on West Pleasant St so I can turn left on HWY 14. During the Nationals there will be policeman controlling traffic at this intersection. 

There's plenty of paid parking, blocks from the track in about every direction, however I normally park around the old city shop, Jamie Ball's old shop, and now I THINK Chase Randall's family owns it? Someone may correct me on this. 

I ultimately end up on hwy 92 south of WalMart. 

Keep It Real

The shuttles used to be a great deal.  Back when they pulled them with tractors for free.  That stopped several years ago and they went to busses and started charging.  The price wasn't too bad and it worked for awhile.  But when the state decided to redo highway 14 and make it one lane each way with a turn lane in the middle that totally screwed up traffic after the races, especially Sat night.  Now the shuttles sit in traffic for long periods of time.  It can be up to an hour wait for one to make a round trip.  A couple of times we just walked the mile and a half to our campground.  That wasn't too bad until grandkids came along.  Lol.  Now we pay to park in a lot a couple of blocks away.  It's an easy walk and we can get right out and moving.  Some of our group justs ride bikes back in forth.  That's the easiest.  I still do occassionally as well.  

I'm sure 362 days a year the highway lane changes are fine.  But it sure messed up the after race traffic during the big week. 

I think that 92/5 the easiest way back to Des Moines even when the mile long bridge is open. 

I haven't had to deal with the traffic at all so far as we just walk back to the North Campground.  However, now that I've been informed I need a hip replacement in the near future, not sure how that's going to go this August.  So far this year we've just been parking at the Church across the street for the $5 or $10 depending on the show.  Come August, will probably shuttle to the track, and limp back because as you said, you can sit in traffic in a shuttle for an hour!

100% agree with this. 

if you're staying in Osky, there are a few new restaurants to check out. Trio which is a sports bar, theater, pickball, golf sim all in one, south of the 163 /92 mix. Also next to walmart and a hotel. 

Brian Ridge owner of Aaron's team, owns the PO box a mile further down the road on 92. 

Keep It Real

Not a fan AT ALL of the Turn Lanes that's for sure. My home town has done it,  Osky & Knoxville have done it. Getting through my Town and Osky is is a big pain in the butt now with the long single lines of traffic.