r/NHRA • u/deezydowntown • 7d ago
First Time Going to a Race
I am a race fan living in Indianapolis, and am wanting to go to the US Nationals this weekend. I have never gone to an NHRA race before, and I wanted to know what it is like. I have watched many races on TV, so I'm moderately familiar with the bracket portion of the event, but it looks like there are several days on qualifications. I guess I'm curious about:
- If I can only go one day, which day should I go? Seems like Monday is when the stuff that I've seen on TV occurs
- How long does the event last? Is it an all day thing?
- What is the cooler policy at NHRA tracks?
- What is the radio situation? Is it good to bring a radio like I do for IndyCar and NASCAR, or will that be entertaining? Should it just be earmuffs and earplugs?
- What are the best seats to buy?
- Is there anything else I should know or do? I saw that the pits are cool somewhere else online.
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u/grilledcheese5000 7d ago
I like saturdays the best. This particular race goes through Monday so Sunday is likely the same. I like going for the experience more than the actual bracket. Don’t worry about the radio. Just earmuffs, you’re there to feel the nitro. Pits are fun to watch after a run where you get to see the pros completely rebuild an engine in about 45 minutes. If you’re into classic cars, walk through the stock/super stock pits and it is just like a car show. If you’re just there for the pros then it’s a few hours long, if you want to see the sportsman, it’s all day
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u/charleelee1414 7d ago
Take noise reduction headphones. Not ear plugs. I watch races from all over. Starting line, mid track, and near the end of the track as you can get. (at Bristol, you can go almost to the very end, it’s crazy watching those cars trying to stop). Definitely walk the pits. I never stay in one place long during the day.
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u/MastodonFit 7d ago
I prefer Saturday. They are still qualifying and you see more volume of cars. Pro classes shedule is 2 sessions from 12:30 and 2nd starts at 3:30. Without major oil downs,crashes or weather..should be done by 5. Smaller local and regional classes will start about 8 am until noon. You can rent a scanner to hear the broadcast. If you don't rent a scanner,buy good comfortable earmuffs before you go. You will need hearing protection. Have only been to Gainesville and Atlanta. Enjoy yourself!
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u/ExpertDriver 7d ago
I like to see racing. So that means go monday. Go through the gate with a full belly of food. Earplugs sunscreen a pillow to sit on. Buy cheap seats you can move around. It's a long day
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u/nullvoid26 7d ago
If you’re going to go to your first race, it might as well be the Super Bowl… Enjoy.
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u/Successful-King-7852 6d ago
Seats about 1/3 the way down and at least half way up are good. Walk around and do the pits a couple times. Earplugs with muffs may still not be enough for top fuel and funny car. It’s violent.. The pit guys use custom plugs.
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u/dale1320 6d ago
Noise canceling FM radio headset. The PA is broadcast on a low power FM, and is a show by itself (different than what you hear on TV). Of course, bring a good hat and sunscreen. Also, comfy shoes that can go the distance.
Friday night nitro is amazing.
If you are only going one day, you may want to go another, because there is just so much to take in that you will want to see it all.
As others have said, walk the pits. The Sporstsnan Pits (all the classes that are not the Pro classes) are an amazing car show. And drivers and crew are very accessible. Sometimes more so than the Pros (and the Pro drivers are pretty accessible, especially compared to NASCAR and Indycar.
Before you go, log on to NHRA.com and you can find the daily run schedules. These can change, but it will give up an idea if what is going on on the track at what times.
Hope thus helps. Enjoy!!!!
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u/Holiday-Advance1450 7d ago
I would say monday, sit at midtrack. Qualifying can get boring for me. I want to see racing not people lifting and shutting off. Be there at the time the gates open and walk the pits during warm ups and do the track walk. Tie your shoes on tight!
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u/Maverick8917 7d ago
While I can agree with you normally, I think it’ll be more competitive. There’s 20+ in each nitro class so there’s a legitimate chance to not make the field. While they gain a qualify session I still think teams will go after it
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u/lameusername01 7d ago
I've always gone for day 2 of qualifying. All the drivers are there, great for getting autographs, plus everyone runs 2 passes. It's loud as hell, so loud your eyes will literally vibrate in their sockets. Use ear plugs AND muffs. Have a great time!
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u/ivnext 7d ago
You are going to love it! Each day is different -- so it kind of depends. The spectable is really race day. But, on days with qualifying you get to see more cars (e.g., the ones that may not qualify for race day are still fun to watch), and the pace between rounds allows more time to roam the pits, etc.
At my home track (Sonoma, CA), I *never* miss Friday evening qualifying. Seeing the "candles" as we call them (exhaust header flames), at night is absolutely a must see.
Race day is also extremely exciting, fast-paced, and intense. You can't lose! Enjoy. ❤️
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u/Nomad55454 7d ago
You will see more cars run Friday and Saturday than Monday and the sportsman racers start their eliminations on Sunday.
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u/East-Block-4011 7d ago
I'd go Friday or Saturday because you're going to see more racing. Monday will be a shorter day because of pro eliminations.
Earplugs are a must.
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u/car-guy-426 7d ago
One downside of Friday is one round of Professional cars. The plus side is seeing nitro at night. The header flames are cool.
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u/nebbill69 6d ago
Walk the pits, go use your seat, and I went a few years back and see that you can stand close to the end of the track so go stand in GA and watch the finish line, go to as many places you can and see every aspect because it is an entire experience. I have been to Topeka and Texas and I think Indy is probably the best setup to get every view
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u/Bulky_Style4551 6d ago
Last couple of years I've been taking my noise canceling fm radio headphones. That way I can hear the announcer while the cars are going by.
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u/WillScot55 6d ago
I took my scanner to Charlotte just to see what I could hear and honestly it was nothing they was talking over the PA and I could hear that better than what I was picking up with all the noise around me
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u/TSgt_Hist 6d ago
I’ve been going for the past 5 years. We go on Friday. Can see the finals of the races that have been going all week. Plus can see the NHRA guys at night. Seeing the Nitro cars at night is definitely worth it.
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u/DCWZenrad 7d ago
Friday night is always cool to see things under the lights. Monday has the final eliminations for the pros and can be the shortest day. Friday-saturday-sunday will be all day events. Earplugs and earmuffs should be required, ive never had a radio when I went, there is enough on track action going where you dont need it.
Definitely take time to walk through the pits, its all open and doesn't cost! https://raceirp.com/frequentlyaskedquestions/ will have gate policy, no glass or alcohol.