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

Any advice to this first time visitor?

Go to the hall of fame. All week they have fan forums with drivers and others involved in the sport, the HoF itself is also awesome with the old cars and memorabilia. 

Sit one night on the backstretch if you can. 

Get there early and walk around the general area around the track. Teams will be out working on their cars. More merch than you've ever seen all over town. If you like steak sandwiches and corn on the cob, the Cattleman's tent next to dingus is the place. 

Djngus is fun for a beer pre or post race. 

After Thursdays race there is a free chicken roast after the races. 

All DSC said. 

Also, visit downtown Pella.  Nice town.  If you're into having a beer (or 4) the Peanut Pub is pretty cool. 

Go under the front grandstands during the day and shoot a basket at the nerf hoop for a free beer.   

Hit the Rib Shack at least one time for lunch.

Also, find the fresh tenderloin stand under the front stretch.  

Steaks & corn on the cob at Cattlemen tent is killa. So is Asian (Hawaian?) chicken booth

If you like to exercise, town Rec center is not expensive, showers, pool, weights, b-ball court...

After the race go out in the country where there's no light pollution & check our Perseid meteor showers!

Agree with everything said so far. Cattlemen's is a ritual, open seating so you'll get to chat with all kinds of people there for one reason. Oh, and the guys that I've brought as first-timers dream about the corn on the cob and rib-eye sandwiches. 

If youre staying in the eastern Des moines area:I read Highway 14 north out of Knoxville to Monroe is closed, new deck on the bridge I believe. Maybe a local person can give better details about how to get around it? I grew up in north Des Moines, dad and I took the bridge to Knoxville many many times.

Go easy on the locals, they have a nice thing going but this 10 day festival can be tough on the non-fans.

It's humid and sometimes wicked hot. It can rain buckets with little notice. 

Very good information 

Thanks, I can't wait to go, still a week away 

I've been to K-ville 4 or 5 times this year.  If coming down 14, yes, the bridge over Red Rock is closed.  For the nicest drive, just take 163 to Pella, and bring hwy T-15 down to Knoxville.  There may be other, quicker ways, but this is a very nice road.