Bucket List

Our NASCAR Bucket List: Trading Pyrotechnics for Pit Passes

I'm not exactly sure when my obsession with NASCAR truly began. Was it the visceral roar of the engines, the blur of speed, or simply the captivating challenge of the race itself? Whatever the magic, it snagged me as a kid and hasn't let go since.

My first in-person dose of that magic was on March 11, 2001, at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS). It was the fourth race of the season, and still so raw, coming just weeks after the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt at Daytona. That day cemented my love for the sport, setting the stage for years of checkered flag dreams.

Since Christie and I joined forces, we've shared countless laps of fun at some iconic tracks: AMS, Talladega, Martinsville, and Darlington. Each one has its own unique flavor, from Talladega's sheer speed to Martinsville's short-track intensity.

One of our absolute coolest NASCAR experiences happened in 2009 at AMS. We weren't just fans that weekend; we were part of the show, working NASCAR Security at the main garage gate for the Cup Series. Imagine the access! We met current and former drivers, actors, and all sorts of entertainers. It was an incredible gig, so much so that we were even offered full-time positions with NASCAR Security. As tempting as it was to live life on the fast track, the timing just wasn't right. With four kids at home, being on the road for 32 weekends a year simply wasn't feasible. Family always comes first, even before the rumble of a V8.

Fast forward to September 2022, and a casual conversation between Christie and me sparked an idea that quickly ignited into a full-blown mission: "How cool would it be to go to every NASCAR track?" Given our mutual love for race day excitement, it was a no-brainer. So, you could say our official NASCAR track bucket list kicked into high gear starting in 2023. We're on a quest to visit every single one, soaking in the history, the speed, and of course, the incredibly loud atmosphere.

Stay tuned as we tick off tracks, one by thrilling one. Who knows what adventures (and accidental detours) await us on this grand tour of American motorsports!


 


 NAMECITY/STATELENGTH    
   TRACK TYPE      
TRACK OWNER TICKETS  

Atlanta Motor SpeedwayHampton, GA1.540IntermediateSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS


Auto Club SpeedwayFontana, CA2.000SuperspeedwayNASCARTICKETS

Bristol Motor SpeedwayBristol, TN0.533Short TrackSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

Bristol Motor Speedway DirtBristol, TN0.533Short TrackSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS


Charlotte Motor SpeedwayConcord, NC1.500IntermediateSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS


Charlotte Motor Speedway Road CourseConcord, NC2.320Road CourseSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS


Chicago Street CourseChicago, IL2.200Road CourseNASCARTICKETS


Chicagoland SpeedwayJoliet, IL1.500IntermediateNASCARTICKETS


Circuit of The AmericasAustin, TX3.427Road CourseCircuit of the Americas LLCTICKETS

Darlington RacewayDarlington, SC1.366IntermediateNASCARTICKETS

Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach, FL2.500SuperspeedwayNASCARTICKETS


Daytona Road CourseDaytona Beach, FL3.610Road CourseNASCARTICKETS


Dover Motor SpeedwayDover, DE1.000IntermediateSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

Eldora SpeedwayRossburg, OH0.500Short TrackTony Stewart/Stewart Haas RacingTICKETS

Homestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead, FL1.500IntermediateNASCARTICKETS


Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, IN2.500SpeedwayIndianapolis Motor SpeedwayTICKETS

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road CourseSpeedway, IN2.439Road CourseIndianapolis Motor SpeedwayTICKETS

Iowa SpeedwayNewton, IA0.875Short TrackNASCARTICKETS

Kansas SpeedwayKansas City, KS1.500IntermediateNASCARTICKETS

Kentucky SpeedwaySparta, KY1.500IntermediateSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

Knoxville RacewayKnoxville, IA0.500Short TrackMarion County Fair AssociationTICKETS

Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas Vegas, NV1.500IntermediateSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA0.250Short TrackLos Angeles CountyTICKETS

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway ParkIndianapolis, IN0.686Short TrackNHRATICKETS

Martinsville SpeedwayRidgeway, VA0.526Short TrackNASCARTICKETS

Michigan International SpeedwayBrooklyn, MI2.000IntermediateNASCARTICKETS

Mid-Ohio Sports Car CourseLexington, OH2.258Road CourseGreen Savoree Mid-Ohio, LLCTICKETS

Milwaukee MileWest Allis, WI1.000SuperspeedwayTICKETS

Nashville SuperspeedwayLebanon, TN1.333IntermediateDover Motorsports Inc.TICKETS

New Hampshire Motor SpeedwayLoudon, NH1.058IntermediateSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

North Wilkesboro SpeedwayNorth Wilkesboro, NC0.625Short TrackSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

Phoenix RacewayAvondale, AZ1.000IntermediateNASCARTICKETS

Pocono RacewayLong Pond, PA2.500SuperspeedwayMattioli FamilyTICKETS


Portland International RacewayPortland, OR1.900Road CourseCity of PortlandTICKETS

Richmond RacewayRichmond, VA0.750Short TrackNASCARTICKETS

Road AmericaElkhart Lake, WI4.048Road CourseState Fair ParkTICKETS

Sonoma RacewaySonoma, CA1.990Road CourseSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega, AL2.660SuperspeedwayNASCARTICKETS

Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, TX1.500IntermediateSpeedway MotorsportsTICKETS

Watkins Glen InternationalWatkins Glen, NY2.450Road CourseNASCARTICKETS

World Wide Technology RacewayMadison, IL1.250IntermediateCurtis FrancoisTICKETS


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