How to Get the Most Out of Your Race Day Experience at Bristol Motor Speedway
When you attend a race at Bristol Motor Speedway, you’re not just watching cars circle the historic all-concrete half-mile inside “The Last Great Colosseum.” You’re stepping into a one-of-a-kind experience — one that puts you right in the middle of the action. If you’ve ever wondered how to get into the infield or how to listen to the drivers during the race, this guide is for you.
Below are some of the best upgrades and experiences that take your race day experience from exciting to unforgettable.
The Pre-Race Infield Experience
If your goal is to find your way backstage with some exclusive access and get into the infield, this is where you start. The Pre-Race Infield Experience is an upgrade that gives you access to the heart of the action — the same infield where teams prepare, drivers gear up and all the action unfolds.
You’ll walk through the tunnel, cross the track, and step into an area that’s usually off-limits to fans. Once inside, you can:
- Get an up-close view of the cars lined up on pit road.
- See race teams setting up their pit area.
- Watch the pre-race concert from the infield stage.
- Be right there where you can literally feel the energy during Bristol’s famed driver introductions.
It’s not just “seeing” NASCAR; it’s absorbing it — the sights, the sounds, the smell of rubber and fuel. This is the answer to the most often asked question from race fans: “How do I get into the infield?” The Pre-Race Infield Experience is your ticket.
Track Walk: Step Where Legends Race
Before engines fire up, you can literally walk the same high banks that challenge NASCAR’s best. The Track Walk is your chance to see the World’s Fastest Half-Mile from a driver’s point of view.
As you stroll around the hallowed ground where so much NASCAR history has taken place, you will want to remember many of the memorable moments that have unfolded right where you are currently standing. You can also dream about all the incredible finishes that are yet to come.
You’ll feel the 28-degree banking under your feet — and realize just how steep it really is. It’s also a great photo opportunity. Fans often snap selfies on the start-finish line or sign the concrete surface before the green flag drops.
This upgrade gives you a sense of what drivers face every lap. It’s short, simple, and unforgettable.
Racing Scanner Rental: Hear What Drivers Hear (and what they say)
If you’ve ever watched a race and wondered, “What are they saying on the radio?” The racing scanner answers that. With a scanner and headset rental while you are at the track, you can tune in to many team conversations where race strategy is the main topic:
- Driver and crew chief conversations.
- Spotter updates from high above the track.
- Communication from race control officials.
You’ll hear strategy decisions in real time — when to pit, when to push, when to cool the tires. You’ll even hear the frustration, excitement, and emotion that TV can’t capture.
Scanners are available for rent at the track, usually near the souvenir haulers or Fan Zone areas. They’re simple to use — pick your driver’s channel, put on the headset, and you’re instantly a part of the team.
One note of caution: You are entering the arena of competition. You may hear a foul word or two from time to time.
Ultimate Fan Pass: The All-Access Experience
For fans who want it all, the Ultimate Fan Pass combines everything into one unforgettable day. This pass usually includes:
- Pre-Race Infield Experience access.
- A guided tour of the infield and pit road.
- Access to the pre-race concert and driver intros.
- A Track Walk opportunity.
- Exclusive souvenir credentials or keepsakes.
You’ll be closer to the stars than anyone in the grandstands. It’s not a VIP club — it’s a front-row seat to the entire race-day build-up. You’ll see what happens before the cameras roll and before the cars hit full speed.
Better act faster than a NASCAR stock car, these passes go quick off the shelves!
How to Upgrade
Upgrades are available when you buy your race tickets online, by phone, or at the track’s ticket windows. Each experience is offered in limited numbers, so it’s smart to reserve early.
Here’s a quick guide:
- Buy your race ticket — you’ll need a home-base seat in the grandstand before adding any of the available upgrades.
- Select your experience — choose Pre-Race Infield, Track Walk, Scanner, or Ultimate Fan Pass.
- Follow the instructions — each upgrade includes specific times and entry points.
If you’re wondering which one to pick, start with the Pre-Race Infield Experience. It’s the best way to see what happens behind the scenes and to stand just feet away from your favorite drivers.
What to Expect on Race Day
When you arrive, plan to come early. Upgrades often begin hours before the race starts. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready for some walking — you’ll be moving between the grandstands, tunnels, and the infield.
Security checks are quick, and staff are friendly and helpful. Once you’re inside, take your time. Soak it all in — the smell of fuel, the sound of air guns, the energy building before 40 engines roar to life.
Why It’s Worth It
At Bristol, every seat gives you a great view. But the infield upgrades take you beyond watching — you are now a part of the moment. Whether it’s hearing a driver yell “Clear!” through your headset or standing on the track where legends race, these experiences bring the sport to life in ways you can’t get from the stands.
You don’t need to be a die-hard NASCAR fan to enjoy it. You just need curiosity — the kind that makes you ask, “What’s it like down there?”
Now you know how to find out.
Let’s Review:
- Want to get into the infield? Get the Pre-Race Infield Experience.
- Want to walk the track? Grab the Track Walk upgrade.
- Want to listen like the pros? Rent a racing scanner.
- Want to do it all? Go for the Ultimate Fan Pass.
Each option gives you a new way to connect with the race, the drivers, and Bristol itself — a place where speed meets spectacle, and where every fan can get closer to the heart of NASCAR. To lock in your race tickets, upgrades and experiences, please visit Bristol Motor Speedway’s website, or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158.
