Attending a Race at the California Speedway

by Greg Meyer

see also: other track reviews

I have attended every race that has been run at the California Speedway during the past three years. I have also attended NASCAR races at Phoenix and Las Vegas. Both Phoenix and Las Vegas definitely put on a great show, but if you want to experience NASCAR with all the trimmings, then California Speedway is the place to go. It is without a doubt, one of the finest and most up-to-date motorsports facilities in the world.

Seating:
As with any NASCAR track, the higher you sit, the better your view. California Speedway is basically broken up into two levels; a lower level (rows 1 thru 23) and a higher level (rows 24 thru 48). Seating areas begin near the exit of turn 4 and end near the middle of turn 1. There is no seating near turns 2 and 3, or on the backstretch.

Numbered seating begins at the start-finish line, with the even sections going from 2 thru 84, with the odd sections going from 1 thru 119. The lower your seating section number, the closer you will be to the start-finish line. There is a main walkway between the two levels that you can follow all the way throughout the grandstands. Use this when walking from section to section.

Pricing for individual seats:

Recommendations:
Get tickets for row 16 or higher to thoroughly enjoy your view of the track. Don't go lower than row 15, where the cars on the back stretch are now hard to see and infield objects block your view. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the metal bleacher seating widths are not made for normal adults. On race day, you will feel like a sardine.

If you're a big guy or a large-frame person, buy two seats so you can sit comfortably. Also, your tush will feel a lot better if you bring your favorite drivers seat-cushion to sit on.

Expensive Tip:
Some PSL and California Speedway Club members (rows 24 and above and close to start-finish line) don't always attend every race, ask the track about buying their tickets they sell back to the track. These seats are like the ones found in baseball parks and are quite comfortable.

Seating Chart: http://www.geocities.com/calif5fan/bigseat.gif
View of Turn 1: http://www.geocities.com/calif5fan/viewofturn1.jpg
View of Turn 4: http://www.geocities.com/calif5fan/viewofturn4.jpg
View of Infield: http://www.geocities.com/calif5fan/viewofinfield.jpg

Parking:
No worries here! California Speedway has over 32,000 free, asphalt-paved parking spots on the premises. Try to arrive near the speedway two hours before the race, and you'll have plenty of time to park and grab one of the 30 speedway trams that run non-stop around the track. Arrive much earlier if you want to spend your time walking the half-mile line of souvenir trailers, free give-aways, etc.

Sunday's prerace entertainment consists of motorcycle wheelie riders, parachute jumpers, driver introductions and a jet fly by. No need to be in your seat any earlier than an hour before the race, since not much else is happening.

View of parking lot: www.geocities.com/calif5fan/parking.jpg

Traffic:
No secrets here, grandstand seating in 1999 was over 107,000 for Sunday's race. In 2000, more suites have been built over the PSL sections and with infield spectators, over 200,000 are expected to attend. Best bet, pack a cooler and other goodies for after the race, walk the souvenir trailers, have a small tail-gate party, etc.

Exiting the track will take up to two hours and that's with the excellent traffic control done by the California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. deputies (great job guys and gals!). No special secrets, all exits have heavy traffic flow.

Inbound-Outbound traffic flow:
http://www.geocities.com/calif5fan/traffic.gif

Qualifying:
Still only $10 per person in 2000 for grandstand general admission tickets. A great day to hit the souvenir trailers in the morning before anyone else, watch the big boys practice and later in the day qualify for Sunday's race. Tip: If you want a certain souvenir, get it Friday or Saturday -- the trailers get pretty depleted during raceday Sunday.

Places to stay, eat, drink:
The truth and nothing but the truth here. Unfortunately, the city of Fontana is not one of the most desireable cities in California. Move away from the track and head west to the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Montclair, Upland, Claremont or San Dimas. Avoid the city of Pomona all together.

Many areas of Ontario are nice, as long as you are at upscale hotels or national chain restraurants. Avoid areas east of the track, such as Fontana or San Bernardino, there's nothing there except for trouble. Best Bet Tip: Visit the Ontario Mills Mall (several stores, food places and 50 movie screens, Dave & Busters) at the 15 freeway and 4th St in Ontario (only a few miles from the track). Lots of nascar merchandise and promotions here during race weekend.

Airports:
A huge secret here! Fly into Ontario International Airport (ONT). It's less than 10 miles from the track and supports all major airlines, including overseas flights. This place has been rebuilt and expanded, so why drive to Los Angeles (LAX) or John Wayne Airport in Orange County. These airports are farther away and traffic is a nightmare around them.

Radio:
Tune your radio to 1350 AM (KCKC) or 1510 AM (KMSL) for traffic updates and MRN broadcast of the race.

Grandstand gate policies:
NO hard-sided coolers, regardless of size, are allowed. Personal bags and items may not exceed 14 inches square in size. Glass and metal containers (beer or soda cans) are not permitted, in addition to umbrellas, strollers, wagons, rollerblades, skateboards, bicycles and pets.

Noise:
Use earplugs, headphones, etc during the race. The car engine noise bounces off the infield pit row walls/suites and even at the highest rows, it's somewhat difficult to talk during the race.

More info: http://www.geocities.com/calif5fan/general.gif

Facility Map: http://www.geocities.com/calif5fan/facility.gif

Want more information about attending a race at the California Speedway, email me with your questions at: fivefan@prodigy.net.