My company is sponsoring a car in NASCAR this season. The Daytona 500 was the first race where our logo was on the car.

I am one of about 6 people in the company who is going to be able to attend the races with what is called a Hot Pass.

This gets me and a guest privileges similar to the car owners and the drivers: special parking where the owners / drivers park, the ability to walk on the track, up until when the national anthem is played and the drivers pray with their priests / pastors, be able to stand right behind the pits when the race is being held, etc.

I've never been to a race before, though.

Any advice you can give me on things to watch out for, what to do while I'm there, etc.?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Wear a large straw hat if it is hot with sun out while you are there.

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Jim

Bring ear protection. And... bring ear protection.

I've had the Hot Pass before, and it is a whole different ball game of volume when you are in the pits.
And the hat idea is a good one as well... not too much shade to be found

Beyond that...

1. Go early, and check out the pre-race inspections, pretty cool to watch the process. It's about 4 different steps in different garages with templates and other customized measuring devices.

2. Scope out a good place where you can see a decent amount of track and the I-Mag screens from the same spot. I've found that the winners circle is generally a good spot, because there is a stage which you can go up on during the race, as long as you keep out of the way of the TV guys, and it gives you an elevated view.

3. Make friends with someone who has access to the front row of motorhome party zones... Those people get to watch the race from on top of a bus, and have lots of booze and snacks...

4. While walking around early, find places where you can sit. You'll want these later. Races take 3~4 hours, and there isn't a whole lot of places to park yourself and take a load off. Speaking of loads... notice where the bathrooms are too...

5. Give your east coast Hot Passes to forum members who live on this side of the country...

6. Sneer at all the Cold Pass people (there really are cold passes, and those folks are second rate in comparison, although still above the rabble in the stands)

Even for people who are not NASCAR fans, going on a Hot Pass should be a very enjoyable time, and very interesting to folks that like cars.
Also, keep your eyes open, especially if you are on pit row. Things happen quickly, and the crew members move almost as fast as the cars.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Oh yeah, which car are you sponsoring? Do you get access to the driver?
I've only been as a NASCAR affiliate, not a team.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

This is all good advice. I do have access to the team owner's motorhome, and I'm told I can watch the race in there on TV, too.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Access to a motorhome will greatly enhance your outing. Place to get in out of the weather, likely a cold drink, and a place to sit a spell. Might even have a roof deck. If you have that level of access, you may even be able to watch from on top of the teams car hauler. There's always a rooftop deck on the car haulers.
Just remember the cardinal rule, never poop on the bus..... only #1 in that bathroom.

You will find that every pit box will have TV's tuned into the race.
Another interesting thing to see at the pits is the replays the teams have of their pit stops.
They pretty much all have cameras focused on the pit box, and after the car comes in, gets serviced and leaves, they will typically replay the stop on their screen and critique their work.
Definitely get up close for a couple pit stops... very impressive to watch those guys in action.
15 seconds for 4 tires fuel and suspension adjustment. Watching it on TV doesn't do justice to the athletic and choreographed nature of the job.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Awesome! I hear there is lots of beer and mud pits with girls in bikinis.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Watch yourself when the hot babes walk by. It'd be easy to walk into a pole if you like to watch too much!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I worked tech inspection on the hot side of the wall for the practices for the Daytona 200 superbike series. There's nothing else quite like it in my experience. You will love it.

They do bring out the hot bikini babes for pictures with the teams. Really, they do.

Just an update that the car my company is a sponsor of - The #47 car driven by AJ Allmendinger - won at Watkins Glen the other week.

I was at the race, and standing behind the pit crew when they ran out to the car and carried AJ on their shoulders.

It was a life changing experience, man.

One of the team owners is Brad Daugherty, formerly of the University of North Carolina and the Cleveland Cavaliers, is really one of the kindest, funniest, and warmest people you will every meet. He treated me like family.

AJ Allmendinger wins at Watkins Glen amid safety concerns

AJ ALLMENDINGER, JTG DAUGHERTY RACING, CAPTURES FIRST NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES WIN AT WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Phoenix in November?

What race is that? I'd have to sign up for the Hot Passes.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Quicken Loans 500

I see it on my grid.

November 9.

We have 4 hot passes available and 2 are taken. I might have to invite a buyer and attend this race.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".