Texas Motor Speedway NASCAR Guide TMS

Are you planning a to attend one of the three major race weekends at Texas Motor Speedway but have some questions....then hopefully this guide can help answer some gemon questions.
Buying Tickets

What are PSL Seats? These are the Preferred seating license seats. These are the most sought after, as well as the most expensive seats at the track. First off, if you locate a seller who states their seats are "PSL" keep in mind these seats are worth it. The owner of these seats had to make an initial purchase on these seats to buy the RIGHT to the seats, this can range anywhere from 500 to 2000 per seat...and that is just for the seat license. From there they are obligated to purchase the season ticket package each year from there on out, or lose that initial investment they forked out. PSL seating is from section 101-128 and 401-428 from row 29 to 66. If someone one is touting their seats as PSL and it does not fall within these sections, they are NOT PSL seats...do not fall for it. The PSL seating are the Red, Blue and Grey seating along pit row. PSL seating offers a world of gefort. These are individual fold down stadium seating. There is more leg room and these seats offer the best visibility to the entire track. Use caution when you get up into the higher up rows, I believe around row 51 is where you could run into some visual obstructions, as that is where the beams that support the luxury suites can limit your visual field.
Tickets for the rest of the areas are available through Texas MotorSpeedway website. The remainder of the seating areas are aluminum bench seats. I stress to everyone, unless they are looking for the PSL seating to try there first for tickets. This, if nothing else will give you the base line price for the seats, and give you an idea if you are getting a good deal on okay.
Back stretch seats are abundant, BUT word to the wise. TAKE YOUR SUNSCREEN...this section of the track is exposed to the sun the ENTIRE race. YOU WILL ROAST on a sunny day, and still get more sun than you think on an overcast day. The front stretch, especially the upper sections (PSL) are relieved of the sun right around race time or shortly there after. They removed the upper portion of the backstretch grandstands, so the entire backstretch has back rests. Also, TMS only sells tickets on the backstretch for the CUP races.
What is PSL/VIP Parking?
This is the closest paved parking lot to the front stretch grandstands. These parking passes are a perk for PSL ticket holders who buy four or more season tickets...or offered to other ticket holders for a charge. The benefits of this parking is you are incredibly close to the grandstands, and if you are sitting on the front stretch can literally run out and back to your vehicle during a caution and refill your cooler without missing much if anything at all. They also offer an alternate route to get into the parking area if you are geing in from Fort Worth or Dallas on 114. The signs will designate PSL/VIP parking...you will get to take the "Stewart Street" route to get into the parking area. TMS is great with their traffic flow, as you won't have to play dodge the pedestrian going in and out this way. HOWEVER...if you are going out towards Justin (FM 156) there is NO pedestrian control and you will wait a VERY long time to get out as you ARE the closest to the grandstands, but unfortunately, you are the furthest away from the highway. My regemendation is...bring a grill and tailgate and wait for the traffic to thin out.
General parking is FREE...Do not fall for the places you will see getting near the track offering 15-20 parking. This is a scare tactic, preying on first time visitors. They are trying to get you to pay for something that is free AND closer...The only downfall of general parking is on a soggy day...I attended the race in 2002 and saw a 4 x 4 stuck in the mud up to his axle. One regemendation that holds true with ANY parking lot, is park facing outwards and if possible TOWARD the exit. This may sound like a minor detail, however it is important when you are trying to buck for position getting out.
Camping
There are many options for camping at Texas Motor Speedway...it just depends on your style and your wallet. It varies from Infield to Tent City. Check the track website for this information. I highly regemend the reserved camping spots. Unless you can get your camper out there over a week before the race, people start lining up almost TWO weeks before the race just to get dibs on the non-reserved spots. They do offer a camp ground area with hook ups, this is referred to the Workhorse VIP Custom Chassis Campground, this is sold by the season, and is 1300.00 for the spot. The infield camping spots are also sold by the season and can range from 850-2000 per season. You can have as many people as you like in your camping area...BUT...each person is REQUIRED to purchase a wristband ( I believe they are 75.00 for the whole weekend) to have access to get into the infield camping area. This is something I have noticed is NOT mentioned on the TMS camping site. A really cool thing that TMS provides is a temporary fully stocked Brookshire's grocery store...the prices are amazingly geparable to a regular grocery store. Want additional information and a forum to connect with other people who camp out at TMS check out nascarcamping.ge. Great group of people who have camped in the facilities and can answer any question you may have! Plus it is just a whole lot of fun...tell'em BigOlePig sent you!!


Things to do...
There is a GREAT event every year in down town Fort Worth. It is called Chevy Thunder Days. It is located in Sundance square in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. Take the DOWNTOWN exit off 35-W and just follow the crowd. They have displays set up and usually will have Chevy drivers there on Friday evening for one big autograph session. BUT the catch is you must get out there early on Friday morning to get one of the coveted wristbands in order to get in line to get the autographs. The also have great live bands...I have seen everyone from Quiet Riot to Mark Chesnutt.2007line up wasLittle Texas, TracyByrd andCharlieDaniels. Check the website on my about me pagefor more information.

If they are offering a 5 lap Legend car driving experience, DO IT! This track is located behind turn three on the 1/5th mile track. I did it last year, it ONLY costs 25.00 and it is well worth the adrenaline rush you will get in return. They strap you in, suit you up and send you out ON YOUR OWN for a five lap white knuckle drive of your life in an actual legends car. They are like go carts on crack!! Highly addictive! They typically have a Legends race on Saturday night at the small track...it is a free event and really fun. It is raw exiciting racing!! They also race these cars on the 1/4 mile track located on the infield of the speedway.

Check the internet for "driver appearances" in the metroplex. They usually have events set up starting Wednesday up until race day. Alot of the drivers are out in their trailers periodically through out the race weekend. Check with the merchandise trailers to see if/when your favorite will be signing autographs.
Even if you are in the neighborhood of the speedway on non-race weekends. Stop by the Ticket Office and see if they are doing the speedway tours. I believe it is around 7.00 per person and they take you on a hour long tour of the facility. You get to check out a luxury suite, garage and pit area, and if your lucky a lap or two around the track in the tour van...great value for the price.
On non-race weekends check out TEAM TEXAS driving school. They offer many packages, from a few lap drive along to a intense multi lap driving school in actual NASCAR type cars. They are unlike the Petty's driving experience, they do allow passing, if your instructor feels you are capable of it...great bunch of guys...ride along experiences do not require a reservation, however the driving school programs do require advance registration. Check out their website which is also located on my okaypage. I did a 20 lap driving school...and if I had the funds, I would be down there EVERY weekend!! It is well worth the rush!!!
This guide is a work in progress, I am planning on adding information as I think of it...but if YOU have something that you think needs to be added to it, by ALL means please contact me I am always willing to add appropriate content. Check my ABOUT MEpage and my direct email address is located there...as well as instructions to contact me!! Also, while you are there, check out my link to my YOU Tube page, I have a great collage that I created from photos I took over the last few seasons at TMS...turn the speakers up!!
But before you leaveif you found any part of this guide helpful, please vote yes!! Also check out my Other guide on Nascar Weekends!!