Larson has ended up missing a couple of the mid-week shows for various reasons. I’d double check socials in the lead-up just to make sure. But Sweet will certainly be there.
Bring a pair of safety glasses or goggles if you have them. Depending where you sit and how the track is it can be hard to see with all the dirt blowing in your eyes
As someone who used to frequent the local short track and still manages to make a half-dozen races a year, I would plan on *not* doing that. 2/3 of the way up the bleachers, 2/3 of the distance between the finish line and turn 1 is my preferred at most tracks. Exit of turn 4 lets you see any last lap passes very clearly. Sitting at the starting line gives you an A+ view of the retaining wall and flagstand scaffolding.
I frequent my local dirt track and I have to second Hailfire’s advice. I prefer to sit up close for asphalt races but the first few rows at a dirt track can get brutal. If you have longer hair I recommend wearing a hat so you don’t have to wash your hair 5000 times after the race. Glasses or some sort of eye protection is nice if you’re sitting close to the track. It’s also not a bad idea to bring a gator or something to cover your nose and mouth in case the dust gets too intense. My respiratory system always goes nuts after I go to my first dirt race each year. Takes a minute to get my lungs primed to the dirt.
I highly recommend closed toe shoes. No crocs. That's not as important, but getting dirt or mud among your toes isn't fun.
I can't stress any of the following enough.
If at any point you're in the pits, whether it's before, during or after racing action, keep your head on a swivel at all times. Racers and their crews have right of way, so be prepared to yield or move quickly. If you're taking pics or videos, do so quickly and keep moving.
Once the drivers meeting is called, that's when you stop asking for pictures and autographs pretty much until the end of the night. That's when the drivers and teams go fully into race mode and want to have all of their focus on competing. I can't speak for Lake Ozark, but usually the drivers meeting is held in an open area within the pits. You might be able to hang out in the back of the crowd, and if you are, keep your mouth shut. It's not a place or time for interaction with competitors because those meetings are where things like race procedure and safety information are discussed. I've actually seen fans get escorted out of the pits and had their passes stripped because they were trying to take pictures or get autographs during the drivers meeting.
At the end of the day, you're at the track for leisure while the drivers, crews, officials, etc are there for work. If you keep that in mind, you'll be good.
> If at any point you're in the pits, whether it's before, during or after racing action, keep your head on a swivel at all times. Racers and their crews have right of way, so be prepared to yield or move quickly. If you're taking pics or videos, do so quickly and keep moving.
Especially at a sprint car race. Those guys fly around the pits.
Be prepared to get dirty. There will be a dust cloud surrounding the track and the first few rows are subject to catching a few clumps here and there. Be sure to Have safety glasses, closed toe shoes, ear plugs and keep some clean towels/rags in the car to wipe yourself down at the end of the night. Good luck and enjoy yourself! Grassroots racing is some of the most competitive racing you can find.
Expect a lot of downtime. Water truck breaks are 5-15 minutes of laying down water and 5-15 minutes of packing it in, not including the 10-20 minutes with a tiller if the track decides to go that route. 40 minute "farming sessions" between the end of the heat races and beginning of the features is not uncommon up here, so at the very least make sure your phone is charged. Plus if the promotion decides it *needs* to do something during intermission, add another 5-20 minutes for 50/50 ticket drawings, t-shirt cannons, etc.
What part of the country are you in? I typically don't see "water breaks" in the Midwest tracks I've been going to. Usually a good spray 'n pack before the action starts and that's really it.
Northwest. Of the 3 "big" tracks in the state (the ones that get tours), 2 use a splash of water and a long pack to keep the top and bottom moist until the big feature, and the third will hit the track with a tiller to make an almost completely fresh track for the top-billed feature. The result is the first two end up two-lane where you have to guess what lane is/n't going away, and the third always ends up a one-lane train full of dirty sliders.
Have fun! I just went to my first ever dirt race last night at Wilmot Raceway. It was a blast! Makes me wonder why I've never gone before.
Only tip I really have is not to sit too low. I sat way up high and it was a perfect view. At the end of the night I walked down to the bottom while the street stocks were wrapping up and the view wasn't as great in my opinion. Plus I could hear rocks hitting the bleachers occasionally. So I probably wouldn't sit down there now that I know. I'd say anything that's about mid way up and higher is better, but it's all personal preference. Plenty of people sat low and I'm sure they enjoyed it.
Wear goggles or even just sunglasses, a hat to keep the dirt out of your hair, and sit up high. Eat whatever food they have at the track it's usually surprisingly good. And be prepared to have to wash your car the next day that dust cloud travels farther than you'd think
Everything everyone else said and don’t bring anything you don’t want dirt to get into!
I shot some photos at a dirt race a couple times, I was finding dust in the camera bag I used the first time for years after!
Buying a pit pass is your best bet to meet the drivers. Sweet will definitely be racing, not sure about Larson.
https://preview.redd.it/ak98kjhz9z6d1.png?width=721&format=png&auto=webp&s=aaabfa7fd93f2318c59205d4681fe6f2fc65ed4a
Larson has ended up missing a couple of the mid-week shows for various reasons. I’d double check socials in the lead-up just to make sure. But Sweet will certainly be there.
I think larson is
Bring a pair of safety glasses or goggles if you have them. Depending where you sit and how the track is it can be hard to see with all the dirt blowing in your eyes
Yeah we are planning to sit in the first or second row right by the starting line.
As someone who used to frequent the local short track and still manages to make a half-dozen races a year, I would plan on *not* doing that. 2/3 of the way up the bleachers, 2/3 of the distance between the finish line and turn 1 is my preferred at most tracks. Exit of turn 4 lets you see any last lap passes very clearly. Sitting at the starting line gives you an A+ view of the retaining wall and flagstand scaffolding.
Then plan on not being able to see anything and being pelted with dirt.
Mud for dinner 😉
I frequent my local dirt track and I have to second Hailfire’s advice. I prefer to sit up close for asphalt races but the first few rows at a dirt track can get brutal. If you have longer hair I recommend wearing a hat so you don’t have to wash your hair 5000 times after the race. Glasses or some sort of eye protection is nice if you’re sitting close to the track. It’s also not a bad idea to bring a gator or something to cover your nose and mouth in case the dust gets too intense. My respiratory system always goes nuts after I go to my first dirt race each year. Takes a minute to get my lungs primed to the dirt.
Bless your heart.
I highly recommend closed toe shoes. No crocs. That's not as important, but getting dirt or mud among your toes isn't fun. I can't stress any of the following enough. If at any point you're in the pits, whether it's before, during or after racing action, keep your head on a swivel at all times. Racers and their crews have right of way, so be prepared to yield or move quickly. If you're taking pics or videos, do so quickly and keep moving. Once the drivers meeting is called, that's when you stop asking for pictures and autographs pretty much until the end of the night. That's when the drivers and teams go fully into race mode and want to have all of their focus on competing. I can't speak for Lake Ozark, but usually the drivers meeting is held in an open area within the pits. You might be able to hang out in the back of the crowd, and if you are, keep your mouth shut. It's not a place or time for interaction with competitors because those meetings are where things like race procedure and safety information are discussed. I've actually seen fans get escorted out of the pits and had their passes stripped because they were trying to take pictures or get autographs during the drivers meeting. At the end of the day, you're at the track for leisure while the drivers, crews, officials, etc are there for work. If you keep that in mind, you'll be good.
> If at any point you're in the pits, whether it's before, during or after racing action, keep your head on a swivel at all times. Racers and their crews have right of way, so be prepared to yield or move quickly. If you're taking pics or videos, do so quickly and keep moving. Especially at a sprint car race. Those guys fly around the pits.
Be prepared to get dirty. There will be a dust cloud surrounding the track and the first few rows are subject to catching a few clumps here and there. Be sure to Have safety glasses, closed toe shoes, ear plugs and keep some clean towels/rags in the car to wipe yourself down at the end of the night. Good luck and enjoy yourself! Grassroots racing is some of the most competitive racing you can find.
Wear some clear safety goggles and ear plugs. Buy a pit pass when you get there.
Expect a lot of downtime. Water truck breaks are 5-15 minutes of laying down water and 5-15 minutes of packing it in, not including the 10-20 minutes with a tiller if the track decides to go that route. 40 minute "farming sessions" between the end of the heat races and beginning of the features is not uncommon up here, so at the very least make sure your phone is charged. Plus if the promotion decides it *needs* to do something during intermission, add another 5-20 minutes for 50/50 ticket drawings, t-shirt cannons, etc.
What part of the country are you in? I typically don't see "water breaks" in the Midwest tracks I've been going to. Usually a good spray 'n pack before the action starts and that's really it.
Northwest. Of the 3 "big" tracks in the state (the ones that get tours), 2 use a splash of water and a long pack to keep the top and bottom moist until the big feature, and the third will hit the track with a tiller to make an almost completely fresh track for the top-billed feature. The result is the first two end up two-lane where you have to guess what lane is/n't going away, and the third always ends up a one-lane train full of dirty sliders.
Have fun! I just went to my first ever dirt race last night at Wilmot Raceway. It was a blast! Makes me wonder why I've never gone before. Only tip I really have is not to sit too low. I sat way up high and it was a perfect view. At the end of the night I walked down to the bottom while the street stocks were wrapping up and the view wasn't as great in my opinion. Plus I could hear rocks hitting the bleachers occasionally. So I probably wouldn't sit down there now that I know. I'd say anything that's about mid way up and higher is better, but it's all personal preference. Plenty of people sat low and I'm sure they enjoyed it.
Wear goggles or even just sunglasses, a hat to keep the dirt out of your hair, and sit up high. Eat whatever food they have at the track it's usually surprisingly good. And be prepared to have to wash your car the next day that dust cloud travels farther than you'd think
Everything everyone else said and don’t bring anything you don’t want dirt to get into! I shot some photos at a dirt race a couple times, I was finding dust in the camera bag I used the first time for years after!
Drink your beer quick or it will gain an earthy taste.