I have crossed the Atlantic 28 times to attend NHRA races (so must admit I'm a bit biased). In 2018, I crossed it to attend my first NASCAR race. Didn't go all that way to be underwhelmed, but...
The race was the Folds of Honor 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- Sunday only. It took place the weekend after Daytona 500.
If I remember correctly, my grandstand seat cost $99. And I was offered a pre-race pitwalk pass for... wait for it... another $101. Crikey! That much?? But that's what I remember.
It wasn't their fault that it rained on the morning and delayed the start. But there was a desultory atmosphere about the place. The huge forecourt area was thinly populated, mostly with apparel trailers, widely spaced, plus a tent with some racecars, plus two small displays of farming and military vehicles. The staff seemed glum. Inside, the magnificent grandstand sweep looked three-quarters, maybe even four-fifths, empty. Amid this scattering of people -- I had a row to myself, actually several -- I watched the cars go round, and round, and round, for three and a half hours. Not much happened. Then the checkered flag fell and people got up and left. That was it.
Five weeks later, I crossed the Atlantic again, this time to Las Vegas for their inaugural 4-Wide.
At 8.30 on Friday morning, the place was already humming. Even the bag and ticket checkers were full of cheer, and seemed genuinely pleased to welcome me in.
The venue was pretty much full all three days.
The pits were crowded -- additional fee: zero.
I attended Alan's Nitro School, took the guided pit tour and did the track walk -- additional fees: zero.
The racing, of course, was thunderous, and full of excitement. Around me in the grandstand, the fans were cheering the racers coming back down the return road. Compared to the funereal Atlanta atmosphere, this felt like a fiesta. And the sun shone all weekend.
So why so much public fuss made about the NASCAR experience, and so little about NHRA's? It frustrates the heck out of me.
