Gator Nationals 2026 (4 Viewers)

[Mike]

One thing I always think is odd.... They showed long lines of cars on the road as the race was underway.

People have different viewpoints, but for me, if I know A) the race begins at 10, B) daylight savings starts today, and C) it's going to be a big crowd with lots of traffic, I'm getting up early to try to get to the track at least an hour before showtime.

If you miss Round 1, you've already missed half the show. There must be a lot of people so disorganized in their thinking that they believe we're going to drive right up to the gate 5 minutes before the race like we're going to the mall.

 

[Ponyhntr]

One thing I always think is odd.... They showed long lines of cars on the road as the race was underway.

People have different viewpoints, but for me, if I know A) the race begins at 10, B) daylight savings starts today, and C) it's going to be a big crowd with lots of traffic, I'm getting up early to try to get to the track at least an hour before showtime.

If you miss Round 1, you've already missed half the show. There must be a lot of people so disorganized in their thinking that they believe we're going to drive right up to the gate 5 minutes before the race like we're going to the mall.

If you try to get to Gainesville only an hour early, you will miss 1st round. That line of cars easily takes an hour to get through. You have to leave the local hotel when it’s still dark in order to get in at a decent time.

 

[mick]

watched one guy's video and he came into track from the north with what seemed like very little traffic. he turned into essentially the north parking area. during the (2) bradenton PRO races, we approached track from the east and turned in at the big helmet entrance on east side,
the traffic jam there was the west side traffic turning into bradenton's west lot.

 

[z28]

watched one guy's video and he came into track from the north with what seemed like very little traffic. he turned into essentially the north parking area. during the (2) bradenton PRO races, we approached track from the east and turned in at the big helmet entrance on east side,
the traffic jam there was the west side traffic turning into bradenton's west lot.

it pays to know your way around.

 

[twostep]

One thing I always think is odd.... They showed long lines of cars on the road as the race was underway.

People have different viewpoints, but for me, if I know A) the race begins at 10, B) daylight savings starts today, and C) it's going to be a big crowd with lots of traffic, I'm getting up early to try to get to the track at least an hour before showtime.

If you miss Round 1, you've already missed half the show. There must be a lot of people so disorganized in their thinking that they believe we're going to drive right up to the gate 5 minutes before the race like we're going to the mall.

15-25% of Americans forgot it's daylight savings day and first-timers to the Gainesville race don't understand how long the line is until they've been there once. They won't forget if they return next year. Finally, if there's a way the track operator could add extra staff to process incoming spectators for this jam-packed opening national event, Sunday morning might have been an excellent time to put them in place.

 

[luxexpress]

Is Gainesville still owned by the NHRA?

 

[Ponyhntr]

Is Gainesville still owned by the NHRA?

Yes

 

[James]

15-25% of Americans forgot it's daylight savings day and first-timers to the Gainesville race don't understand how long the line is until they've been there once. They won't forget if they return next year. Finally, if there's a way the track operator could add extra staff to process incoming spectators for this jam-packed opening national event, Sunday morning might have been an excellent time to put them in place.

The track used to use local high school kids for parking and it was ran well.

Now they use minimal labor ready hires, and it shows.

 

[twostep]

The track used to use local high school kids for parking and it was ran well.

Now they use minimal labor ready hires, and it shows.

 

[DanTheFan]

Getting out is no fun either. I drove up from Tampa for the day a while back and couldn’t get out of the lot for hours so got back very late. After that, Gainesville joined Maple Grove on my skip it list. Very 1960s for figuring out traffic.

 

[My Name]

Quick story, checked out of hotel and drove to track for Sunday at MG. Got a late start. Driving a 82 280zx 5 speed.
To say my left leg was a noodle once parked is an understatement!

 

[twostep]

Quick story, checked out of hotel and drove to track for Sunday at MG. Got a late start. Driving a 82 280zx 5 speed.
To say my left leg was a noodle once parked is an understatement!

I feel your pain. I once bought a Mustang GT 5-speed at the Dallas Auto Auction and got stuck in traffic due to an 18-wheeler rollover for about 2 hours. It had some sort of aftermarket clutch installed that must have had at least 10,000 pounds of spring pressure. Maybe 20,000. Big-time ouch.