Best Seats U.S. Nationals

Working on my bucket list. I have wanted to go to the U.S. Nationals for over 30 years. Something has always come up, so I have never been. This is the year. Going to do it right and get a TEC ticket.

Now, the question. Is it better to sit down as close to the track at Indy or up high. Please only answer if you have been there. I know there are preferences to be close to the sound and smell but I want the best view.

What say you?

 

I like it at the top of the bleachers on the sportsman pit side that put you on the side of the track that has the return road and the sun wont be in your face.

 

But i really liked to be at about 1000 ft and set and soak up all that nitro !! Always liked the early p*** as their was so much nitro in the air seemed like the sportsman cars picked up a 10th. Course that was when as many as 40 to 50 cars were running nitro and at the event not so much now!!

 

Half way up at least. While the TEC tickets sound pricey, they are a good deal considering the food, big tent / shade with big screens, free drinks / water, etc.. The goodie bag is kinda weak. Wear a big hat and sunscreen. Only down side (or not) is that the TEC bleachers are on the opposite side of the pro pits. But there is usually a neat car show on the west side to compensate for that a little! Gary

 

If you get the TEC tickets thay have there own bleachers back of the start line not bad but you just get to what them race away from you not a panoramic view of the race but you will get a good doose of tire smoke and nito fumes.
If you like to comp you can stay at the raceway family camp ground right across from the track things can get wild there at night.

 

It's opposite the pro pits, but you are still able to walk over to the pro pits, right?

 

Yes. I agree. I prefer the sportsman side about halfway up. They've got just about the best sound system of any track I've been to, also.

 

I've been to Indy 10 times and I agree the sportsman side half way up is great, I would also suggest hanging on the fence on the pro side at the finish line when the fuel cars run at least for a few p***es, it's a blur of colors and sound.

 

Redsdad,
I'm pretty sure the TEC are ***igned seating or at least it was when we went. Anywhere in that section is good. We were pretty close to the track and had to pick the rubber off our shirts afterwards. It's always good to do a little choking on nitro also. You are in for a treat going to Indy. I just love it there.
G***er Girl

 

We always sit in DD (right side) about 5 or 6 rows up. I really don't think there are "bad" seats.

 

Been there many times. I like seats on the left side about a third of the way down, up high.
Drive to the track from Brownsville and not Clermont. Lots quicker. Go west on the Interstate, South to Brownsville and left at the light to the track. Look at the map and you will see what I described.

 

Sorry, Brownsberg, not Brownsville.

 

I forgot to add that TEC has it's own bleachers, and they are set at about a 45 degree angle at the starting line on the left side. You could only do better with suite tickets in the tower. TEC is one stop shopping for seats, food, etc.. Gary

FYI, Brownsburg not Brownsberg, Elba San.

 

Yes you can get to the pits from the sportsmen side. I have been all over that track if you set in TEC and take pictures thay will be the back of the cars right side sun will be in your face left side sun at your back.
Its one big drag race party I always camp out the heat can get ruff but well werth it.

 

If you're going for at least a couple days, try to spend at least a bit of time in some of the general admission seats. East side in the morning or west side in the afternoon. I like it about 2/3rds of the way downtrack... gives you a much better sense of speed.

 

I went every year from 1961 to1978 then didn.t go back till 2000. The times are unbeliveable but the good old days are gone forever

 

Christmas tree sounds like I picked up where you left off.

It use to be a bunch of races in a race , crager top fuel cl***ic, big bud shot out, holley pro stock challenge, wax shop pro stock bike dash. I think thay just have the big bud shot out there now.
The first year I went thay had 67 pro stock car trying to qualify for a 16 car field.

 

Last time I went was in the late 90s.....We had ***igned seats, but wandered a lot, see more that way. At the top end was fun, standing near the start line was awsome ( I am partially deaf today, wonder why?).......We have camped at both campgrounds across the road, lots of good times after racing is done for the day.

 

I go every year, got my tickets already. I go on Mondays, as that's the only real day of racing

 

DSR and John Force have open houses and car shows during the event too. I think you can tour Bruce Littons shop as well <very cool!

 

Had TEC seats for several years. The parking, food & tent were nice but I only used the seat on race day. Rest of the time I was either walking the pits or sitting around the 1000' mark.

 

This year I'm taking my 13 year old son, it will be his first time to a big NHRA event. This is going to be my first time back to the US Nationals, in probably 10 years. I religiously went on Sundays, and was going to go on Sunday this year with him. I always sat on the pit side, somewhere along the first half of the track.

Do you think that those seats would make for a good first time experience for him? I will want to take him down towards the big end, for the speed experience. I wanted to get reserve seats, so we could come and go to a good spot. Thoughts?

 

Go big. Get the Top Eliminator tickets. Comes with an indoor place to eat or shelter if raining, food some days, drinks, etc.. Wear a big hat. Sunscreen. Get the TE parking tickets, too.

 

^^^^^^^^^^Go bigger-- tower seats !! Food and drinks all day- free stuff- drivers show up and AC. Pricy but should be done at least once.

 

I want him to enjoy the day and the experiences, but not sure if Ole Dad is ready to shell out for the TE tickets just yet, I'm scared to see what those tickets cost!

 

Priced per day against general admission tickets, not such a bad deal overall.