CHAMPAGNE TASTE, BEER POCKETBOOK!

I am on my soapbox today, so I will warn you now.  But I am getting tired of all the comments on Facebook and Twitter from fans who say the seats at the tracks are empty because they are too expensive.

Today I commented back and forth with a woman who bemoaned the fact that every time she goes to a race it costs her $2,000.  She went on to say that she is disabled, she will never be able to take her grandkids to a race, and then she compared her sorry lot in life to "all you rich people" who have season tickets.  I literally screamed out loud!

And me, being one who can't just leave things alone, had to answer her back.  I told her how anyone who really wants to go to a race, can go!  I then proceeded to give her a lesson on how it's done. Then I find out that what she wants to DO when she goes to a race is to have garage passes ($$$) and also to meet Jimmie Johnson in person ($$$$$).  NO WONDER it costs her $2,000!!  So I just stopped the conversation there.

But that got me to thinking ... how cheaply can a race be done?  I have a few tips for anyone who is on a really tight budget that I want to share with all of you.  Hopefully, you will think these ideas are good ones and you will share them with anyone you come across who says they "can't afford NASCAR" anymore!

First of all, you don't need to buy the most expensive tickets.  Buy the best ones you can afford on your budget!  That might mean you don't have the very best spot in the whole place, but there are lots of empty seats so scout out a place where you think you'd like to sit and if there are some empty seats move there after the race has started.  Chances are no one will care.  Or, walk around the stands during the race.  You might see better while you are walking than if you had not-so-great seats.  Also, call the track ticket office and tell them how much you want to spend for tickets.  You might be surprised what you are able to get!  I have also heard of some great deals that people have gotten on Craigslist.  If you are really feeling adventurous, just go to the track on race day and work a deal with one of the people who are trolling the parking lots selling tickets.  They are everywhere, and they will deal!  We went to a race on a whim once and did just that, and we got great seats really cheap! I'm not recommending any one particular method -- try them all for the very best deal!

Secondly, don't stay at a motel within a 50 mile radius of the track!  We are campers, but we almost always stay at a KOA campground that is an hour or two from the track and then just drive in on race day.  KOAs (as well as other campgrounds) all have really nice cabins for rent and depending on the amenities you want, you can stay for less than $100 a night.  And they don't charge more because it is a race weekend.
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Third, take your own food & drink!  This is a real money saver!  Instead of $4 bottles of water and $6 beers you can control exactly how much money you spend.  You don't have to spend one dime on food if you don't want to and you will see the whole race instead of spending time in line at a concession stand.  I know of NO OTHER SPORT, including high school sports!, that allow fans to do this!

And lastly, check out the deals for kids!!  Most the tracks have incredible deals for kids, especially if you buy early.  At Martinsville, a kid's ticket was $10, no matter where you sit!  You can't even go to see a bad movie for that!  And then there is all the really fun AND FREE stuff to do in the Fan Zone... Every kid deserves a trip to a race at least once in their life!

So, NO MORE EXCUSES about not being able to afford to go to a race!!  Get your rear in gear and GO!!!

If you have any other tips or ideas on how fans can afford to go to a race, please leave a comment!  I would love to hear them and share them with the readers!!

WOWZEE WOW!!!

I am so excited to write this post and share this story with you!

As you know, occasionally when I go to a race I meet a Nascar Wife who is having so much fun!  And I love to share their stories with you too!

This Nascar Wife's story is a personal one for me.  She is one of my very best friends.  We met 40+ years ago in college and we were instant friends.  She was the Shirley to my Laverne, the 'Blasting Cap' to my 'Dynamite' - and those were actual nicknames we used to be called!  We had so much fun together and kept each other out of so much trouble too -- but those are stories that are best left in the past!!

As our lives got busy with jobs and families we didn't see much of each other, but once our kids were teenagers we reconnected.  We would see each other several times a year.  Then one day I got a phone call from her.

She had started to participate in a Nascar Fantasy League and she needed my (ok, hubby's!) advice on some picks!  I c-r-a-c-k-e-d up!!

Last fall we convinced her and her hubby (a casual Nascar fan) to come with us to Martinsville.  And they were HOOKED!!

Now, I should tell you that my friend, who I affectionately refer to as Wowzee Wow, or Wowz for short, took my advice early on and "picked a guy."  She settled on Denny Hamlin because the FedEx man who makes deliveries at her office is a nice guy.  Good enough reason!

Last weekend we made a return trip together to Martinsville.  Our first stop, of course, was the Martinsville hot dog stand.  Then we headed straight to the Fanatics tent so she could stock up on some Denny gear.  According to her, she needed to be easily identified by "her people".

After we finished our shopping, we still had plenty of time before the start of the race, so I suggested we head over to the terrace where some of the drivers' motorcoaches are parked.  I also wanted her to see the Hollywood Hotel where the TV broadcast originates.

So ... we are standing there checking things out, and here comes a couple of police motorcycles. Ooo, I said, somebody important is coming!  And wouldn't you know it?!  Here comes Denny Hamlin!! And all of a sudden, these almost-sixty-year-old women became instant teenagers at a rock concert! HAHA!!  Of course, we didn't want to look like desperate stalkers or anything ... so we kept our distance but we did get close enough to get this picture ...

See Denny over her shoulder there?!?!  He got in his golf cart and drove right past us.  She waved, but he was a little preoccupied and didn't wave back.  But that's okay ... he made my friend of over 40 years a very Happy Nascar Wife!   WOWZEE WOW MAN!!!!!