There is always a perennial discussion on how NASCAR is becoming irrelevant, how its pandering to new fans over old, how the constant rule changes, race changes, changes in general are killing the sport. having just witnessed a sold out crowd at the Daytona 500 in 2022 we are not sure how much of this is true. Tickets for NASCAR still seem to be in high demand. We take a look at how much NASCAR tickets are across the season below.
NASCAR tickets can cost between 95 and 340 USD at the Daytona 500 race. They drop to 45 to 140 dollars at mid-season races like the Yellawood 500 at Talladega, and for Bristol can be 60-115 USD. The average across all races and Ticket tiers is 125 USD, however the range is huge from 10 to thousands of dollars.
However attendance in down, though the last two years the actual amount is difficult to ascertain how much by, and if it was due to health restrictions or declining popularity. one thing is for certain, Ticket prices outside of the large events are still reasonably priced and there are NASCAR ticket bargains if you go an look for them.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to the Daytona 500?
The Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s most famous race, and the tickets for the Daytona race are almost always the most expensive on the NASCAR schedule due to the prestige and importance of the event which opens the Cup Series season.
The ticket prices have also increased over recent years due to a track renovation that saw around 50,000 seats removed. Tickets for the Daytona 500 are available on both primary and secondary, also known as resale, markets.
However, the tickets for the event are still far less than the most prestigious events in other sports. For example, the average ticket for the 2014 race at Daytona cost 93% less than that year’s American Football Super bowl.
The $400 million Daytona Rising project means that the facility is now referred to as a racing stadium. The prices in 2022 were as follows.
- In 2022 Turn Lower tickets ranged from $95 to $195.
- Seats at Turn Middle ranged from $160 to $210
- Turn Upper which were $170 to $230.
- The Pit tickets also vary. Pit Lower tickets were between $135 and $195,
- Pit Middle tickets came in at $210 and Pit Upper tickets set buyers back $230.
- Start Lower tickets cost $190
- Start Middle and Upper tickets cost $340 and were for four days.
There are also a variety of premium packages that can cost upwards of $1,000. These include the Sprint Tower, which costs almost double the amount of the next most expensive tower. It has the best view of the entire track.
How Much is a NASCAR ticket at Talladega?
The Talladega Superspeedway is the longest oval track in NASCAR, and it has a large maximum capacity. The main grandstand can hold 80,000 spectators, with the entire circuit able to host 175,000 people. The track currently hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races every year.
The first is the GEICO 500 during the regular season, which is one of NASCAR’s ‘Crown Jewel’ races. It is normally the second ‘Crown Jewel’ race of the season, after the season-opening Daytona 500. The circuit also hosts the YellaWood 500 which occurs during the Round of 12 stage of the NASCAR Playoffs.
Seats in the Lincoln Grandstand are just $45 for the GEICO 500. The prices increase slightly in the Talladega Grandstand, where seats in rows A to E cost $75. This price is the same in the Anniston Grandstand.
The Moss Thornton Grandstand is slightly more expensive, at $85. Seats in the OV Hill North and South Grandstands costs $95. As do seats in both the Gadsden Concourse and Birmingham Grandstand. Seats in the Anniston Tower come in at $105, whilst seats in the Talladega Tower are $5 more expensive.
Seats in the Birmingham Concourse are $125, whilst seats in the OV Hill North Tower cost $135, the same as seats in the Tri-Oval Tower and Moss Thorn Tower. The most expensive race day tickets cost upwards of $140 and are in the OV Hill South Tower and Birmingham Tower.
How Much is a NASCAR Ticket at Bristol Motor Speedway?
The Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee is a short track with a large capacity of 153,000. The circuit has very steep banking and stadium-like seating which have made it one of the most popular tracks on the calendar for fans.
It is also one of the loudest tracks in NASCAR for spectators. The track currently hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races. The track has a dirt course that hosts the Food City Dirt Race in the regular season. It is the ninth round in the 2022 Cup Series schedule.
The track’s regular layout hosts the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, which is far more popular than the dirt race. This Night Race is during the Round of 16 of the NASCAR Playoffs. It is currently the final of this round.
The circuit presents three options for Night Race tickets. The ‘good’ package includes a free pre-race concert, flyover and fireworks. This package starts at $60 and includes a single-day ticket to the popular race.
The ‘better’ package includes everything that comes with the previous tier but adds tickets to the Xfinity Series race, called the Food City 300, that takes place on the Friday. This package starts at $115 and comes with a variety of other extras.
The ‘best’ package includes four tickets: tickets to the Cup Series Dirt Race, Truck Series Dirt Race, Cup Series Night Race and Xfinity Series Night Race. This four-race ticket starts at $400.
How Much are NASCAR Xfinity Race Tickets?
The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series features 36 races, and each track has a different range of ticket prices. Tickets for Xfinity and Truck Series races are cheaper than Cup Series tickets, and tickets can also be cheaper due to the date and time.
The cost for each seat also varies due to the position. Seats closer to the start line are often the most expensive, with the cheaper seats being near the turns and lower down, as spectators in low seats often have a limited view of the entire track.
However, lower seats give spectators a greater sense of the speed and sound of the cars. The average ticket price in the 2022 season is around $125, but some can be as low as around $10, and some premium tickets can be very high, often costing thousands of dollars for an extravagant experience.
Does NASCAR Have Discounted Tickets and Childrens Tickets?
NASCAR has a rule that kids can attend any Xfinity Series or Camping World Truck Series for free if they are accompanied by a paying adult. Kids tickets for Cup Series races are far cheaper than the adult equivalents, starting at just $10.
This is true at the Daytona 500, where kids’ tickets are just $10 in all reserved seats, apart from the 100 level, where they can go for free. Discounts are also available for certain adults at certain circuits.
The Bristol Motor Speedway for example has discounted tickets for current service members and veterans. College students can also get a discount, and access to a special area. It is best to check the website for a specific track to see if you are eligible for a discount.
It is often cheaper to buy tickets from primary markets, and as far in advance as possible.
We have a couple of articles on the site that explains and should help you pick up some discounted tickets ( earlier is better) listed below.
- Why are NASCAR Tickets expensive
- Can Children go free to NASCAR Races?
- taking Children to NASCAR Races – Everything you need to know
Final Lap
So while Daytona is, unsurprisingly, the most expensive race in the NASCAR Season with prices from 95 USD to 340 USD in 2022. (not including those special packages) there are bargains to be had.
At other, less prestigious, races NASCAR ticket prices level out significantly. In talladega they can be found for 45 dollars, and at Bristol for 60 dollars. These are still high value events, and if you want to watch Xfinity, or head to smaller races then it is possible for NASCAR tickets to be found for as low as 10 dollars.
There will also be offers for children, often free, and students and veterans as well.
Whatever your price point you will will be able to get your NASCAR tickets. Well unless its the Daytona 500!
References
https://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/tickets/
