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

What is the best section between section D and E as far as low seating. I'm heading to the Nationals but haven't bought tickets yet. Yes I know all the good seats are gone on the front stretch but there are still seats available as high as row 17 in sections D and E. It has been years since I've been there. I'm coming on Saturday of the 360 Nationals. THANKS.

They are all good, row 17 should be fine.  I usually sit in section K around row 25 and honestly think those are some of the best seats, but they take the trailers out of the infield during Nationals so all spectators can see and they usually take them out for the 360 Nationals on Saturday night too.

I'll be there for the 360's which I'll beable to have any seat I want. I'll be there the the Classic on Sunday which will have plenty of good seats. The 4 days of the 410's is where I'll have a problem with really good seats. I need 2 adults and a child. I know all seats cost the same on Saturday. Anybody got any seats for sale?

There are 3 seats together in Section H, Row 23 as of this morning.  Right in the middle of the front stretch.  Doesn't get any better, other than it's totally packed--I swear in our row there are 28 seats and 35 people packed in--very large people!  If you want room to stretch out, I'd suggest looking into the backstretch.

You say that it's been 'years' since you've been there... how many years, if I may ask?  And what do you define as a really good seat?

The reason I ask is 'cause tickets for the Nationals seem to have dropped in demand over the years (with the exception of 2010 for the 50th).  For example -- when I was a kid in the 80s, we couldn't afford to (or my dad couldn't make it work with his farming schedule) go to all 4 nights... so we went on Wolfgang's qual night and then on the final night.  We would buy our Nationals tickets during the spring WoO show (first time they went on sale for single nights), and could never get any higher on the final night than row 2 or 3.  We tried the backchute a couple of years and could get a little higher (row 7 I think??), but not great.  We finally got sick of that, and got 4-day Nationals tickets in '95 - sat in Sec F, row 12 for all 4 days... which we thought was absolutely amazing!  We've had 4-day tickets ever since.  We usually sit somewhere in Sec D or F, around row 18.

I'm pretty sure the same reason that we got 4-day tickets in '95 is not even close to valid today though.  It's pretty much 3 weeks before the Nationals, and I just looked at the Raceway's website and the Buy Tickets link -- and see that there are 3 seats together as high at row 17 for the final night in Sec D.  In Sec E, F, and G, you can get as high as around row 15 (again, 3 seats together).  It looks like you could get 3 seats together pretty much anywhere on the backstretch as high as row 25... again, for the final night.  There should be even better selections available for the other nights (Wed-Fri).  Back in the 80s and 90s, and even early part of the '00 decade - if you waited this long to get tickets, you either wouldn't have a ticket or you would be in row 1.  

They still unload the cars, parts, etc and park haulers outside of turn 3 (and beyond) - so in my mind, a 'good' seat is anywhere around row 10.  A great seat (again, in my mind) is anywhere row 15 and higher.  If you go beyond row 22, you have to pay more (middle tier seats) -- and to me, going any higher than row 20 takes away a little bit from the sensation of the speed they're going. 

Sorry if this is more than you wanted to read... but welcome back, and hope the weather is great and you have an awesome time!

It has been 23 years since I been there. As a kid we would go every year. Then in the mid 80's things changed and the last year I went was '91. My son is 12 and is looking forward to this, he will have a ball. I guess I may just wait till I get there. 

The pace of ticket sales are very strong this year compared to the last few years.  The word "sellout" has been tossed around for Saturday and Friday both this year in the office.  Wednesday of the Nationals is one of the busiest days of the year in the ticket office.  A lot of people wait until then to buy their tickets, so if you wait until you get to Knoxville, get to the ticket office first thing.  If you wait until 6pm Wednesday, you will be waiting in line for a long time.

Eric Arnold
Social Media Manager & Track Historian
Knoxville Raceway

I may be going to the Nationals for the first time this year. I have a couple of questions. Do the seats have backs on them or are they like bleachers? I am taking my Dad and he might need something to lean against. View wise, is there much of a difference between the quality of the front and back stretch?

Wow, a lot has changed since '91... so should be pretty eye-opening for you!  I think '91 was pretty much the high water mark for entries (160 cars registered times on Wed/Thurs).  The car count has slowly faded a bit and settled to around 100 the past few years.  The big difference is that there were the same # of good cars and good drivers in '91, but also a lot more bad cars and 'not as talented' drivers... probably more emphasis on the level and disparity of equipment.  Everybody today has basically the same car and same motor - so the cars a lot more equal - ie, they're all fast.  Due to that, it's a lot harder to pass now than it was back then.  The invert was cut to 8 a few years ago (from a full invert of 10 in the heats), but it still can be damn hard to get up to 4th in your heat starting 8th if you get a bad start and/or the track is too fast.  You can still go from 8th to 1st too if you're working well (Stevie Smith did it in the Zemco 1z a few years back).  It has basically made the B-Mains on Wed/Thurs night a really stout A-Main anywhere else in the country.  While a lot of other things have changed, nothing has changed with the pressure and intensity of the event... which still makes it fun.  I remember going to the Nationals when I was 12... it was awesome... your son will have a blast!

Yes all seats have backs. The view is great from the front and back stretch. You are going to love it!

Here is a prior thread that discussed the view from front stretch to back stretch:  http://www.hoseheadforums.com/forum.cfm?ThreadID=86102

They're both good, just different.

That would be cool... and different... it would seem they've got a long ways to go though!?  I agree that getting tickets as soon as you get into town would be a good idea... ie, get 410 Nationals tickets when you get into town for the 360 Nationals. 

All seats have backs but you may want to bring some padding to sit on. As for front or the back it depends what you like. The back stretch seats are closer to the track,  steeper seating, usually more room, and offer a different persepective for someone that sits on the front stretch every week. The front stretch always you to see more of the pre-race/driver intros which is nice as well. I prefer to sit above row 23 on the front stretch because the seating gets steeper so people block less of your view. Sitting nearly anywhere on the front stretch will be packed and will only get worse the higher you go. For nationals I sit somewhere different every year and never have had a bad experience. Looking forward to it again this year.

Just curious when did the seat expansion and skyboxes go in I know it was in the early 90s but I was pretty young then and don't remember the exact year. I'd be curious to know if the crowds were actually bigger back in the 80s or if it just seemed bigger since there were less seats so it was more full? Sometimes I wish I was alittle older so I could have been at some of those early 90s Nationals they sound pretty fun.

I've been in I 28 for 16-17 years. Sat in row 12 with plenty of leg and shoulder room for half a night last year and liked it....This year I've decided to move down closer to smoking and concessions. H 15 Looking forward to being a little closer and enjoying a bit more room.

Knoxville Natioanls attendee since '95
Favorite Tracks...River Cities, Knoxville, Cedar Lake
Favorite Drivers...S.Kinser, T.Kaeding, K.Madsen, S.Smith
Proud Canadian 

I have 4 extra tickets. They are great seats. 2nd row from the top and right next to the elevator and stairs on the back side of the grandstand. My wife has and archery tournament and the kids are all busy this year. I would charge face value. If interested call 701-770-0510 and ask for Steve.

1997

I happen to have four tickets to all four night of the Nats...great seats...back stretch...Section Y...Row 22...aisle.  4 rows from top.  Great seats, and I will sell them for less than face value.

I also have two hotels rooms at the Pella Holiday Inn Express for Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat nights...king bed in each.

any interested buyers can call me at 317-679-3205.

wish I could go !!!!!

Found some seats. Thanks.

Section D row 10 thru 12 and seats 10 thru 12 are the best racing seats money can buy. IMO.