Track Tips: Gateway Motorsports Park

The 2nd Annual Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis is one week away!

Unfortunately, I can't make it this year. However, I do have a few tips for those of you who are headed to the NHRA event based on my experience at the track last year.

1. If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, I strongly suggest sitting in Nitro 1 (which you can see in the diagram below). This is where I sat last year, and I loved it. This area was fenced, and the park officials did a great job of ensuring that only those with tickets for that area were allowed in. Another perk of sitting here is that the tow vehicles park in front of the section. Why is this awesome? Because this is also where the drivers stand before/after they make their run. In other words, it's a chance to get some autographs! Seats in Nitro 1/Nitro 2 also give you a great perspective of the track. Normally, you'll see the side of the car as it goes by. Here, you'll be able to see them from behind as they go all the way down the track. It gives you an idea of what the drivers are seeing when they make their run. I can't say everyone will love these seats, but they are my first pick.
   
   I suggest sitting in Nitro 1, but Nitro 2 might be great, as well!
   Photo retrieved from Gateway Motorsports Park.
   
   
2. Because the event is sponsored by AAA Insurance, you might get a discount on tickets if you are a AAA member. We got a 10% discount last year. I can't say for sure that they will give discounts to AAA members this year. I also don't know how much the discount might be, but any kind of a discount is good in my book!
3. Great news! I took to Twitter and asked Gateway Motorsports Park if there will be a track walk this year. The answer is yes! Do it. Get to the track early if you can. Pre-race ceremonies start at 10 a.m. on Sunday (Sept. 29), and the track walk is a part of these ceremonies. The track walk isn't only a chance to walk the quarter-mile drag strip with fellow NHRA fans, but you also get to walk with NHRA stars. I don't know who will walk the track at this event, but Robert Hight, Terry McMillen, and TJ Zizzo walked with fans last year.
   
   
   A photo of the NHRA fans walking the track at Gateway Motorsports Park last year.
   
   
   *Also, as a side note, don't wear flip flops during the track walk. You might lose one. ;)

Will you make your way to the Gateway of the West next weekend? What are you most looking forward to?