OMG - are you in for an experience.
Took the whole family for the first Nascar experience in 2001 - the Busch race.
To be fair, it was windy and more than a bit chilly that day.......but it has been me and boy ever since.
The following year was Cup and Busch race. Year after that added the Truck race (Champ car races, in conjunction with Craftsman Truck series were added in there at some point).
Somewhere in there started the, "Yes, I'm serious - you are not going to school today, this is Friday and we are going to see some Cup qualifying"... thing.
Two years ago, the World of Outlaws was added - they race the Thurs and Fri of the Nascar weekend.
I absolutely love to watch the racing, but the biggest kick by far was / is my boy.....
For last years race I bought the on-track "Fan Experience" - pre-race stuff. The boy got to sign the start / finish line, lots of pics of him sitting on the wall, he got to do an up close inspection of the "safer barrier". Way cool stuff.
And you are within 10 - 15 ft of the drivers during introduction and when they get in the vehicle for the ride around the track.
The boy went nuts when Dale Jr went by. Dad was not far behind when DJ came by.
But wait, there is more........the track change / rebuild for 2007.
Las Vegas WAS one of the typical 1.5 mile, "cookie cutter" tracks. To be honest, a few of the races were a bit boring after awhile.
Not for next year! Banking increase from 12 to 20 degrees, pit road moved 150 ft closer to stands, totally new garage "fan viewing" area - two levels, Nascar garage below, fans above looking down.
This will be a truly unique track / experience.
If you follow such things, several other tracks have now announced, "major renovations" of one type or another.
Tickets Alfred confirmed for the Truck race, 28 Sept, to see the new track.
How bad have I got it?
All the way to the bone.
I was a bit shocked today, watching the pre-race stuff.
They really made a big deal about Chicago being one of the premier Nascar market's...on and on...The Herminator even saying that this was one race the, "sponsor's wanted to be in because of the huge market."
A bit later they announced, "75,000 in the stands, 30 suites plus the in-field!"
And I'm thinking to myself, "there were 86,000 bodies in the stands for last years........Busch race.
And over 150,000 for the Cup race the next day.
To the best of my knowledge, that did not include "Motor Home Row", the length of the back stretch.
Twice the draw of Chicago, and California attendance was sad - compared to Las Vegas.
"The Duel in the Desert", ..."The Diamond in the Desert"....what ever they call it......is an experience you will talk about for a long time.
Yes, bring the boy - do it now.
Feel free to FReep-mail with any questions.
Just do it! :-)
Sorry for the rant. And no, I am not employed by the LVMS or in any way affiliated with Las Vegas marketing effort.
It is the event.
Bravo!!! I am sending your post to my son. Maybe he will take me again...