Gone are the NASCAR days of big, hard-styled coolers, typically found at racetracks across America. Today, most speedways that host a NASCAR event only allow one small soft-sided cooler per person if they allow coolers at all. Here are some of the best coolers to take to a NASCAR track.
Over 90% of all tracks that host NASCAR races this year will allow for one soft-sided cooler (14″ x 14″ x 14″) per person. The best cooler to take to these NASCAR races that fit the bill include:
- Yeti Hopper Flip 12
- Lifewit Cooler Bag – Best on a budget.
- Polar Bear Topper 20
- Icemule Pro Backpack Cooler
What about the other 10%, you ask? Some NASCAR tracks have thought it a good idea to restrict coolers and alcohol from being allowed inside the stadium. You will be surprised at who these culprits are. At least most of the host race tracks still allow you to experience the race as a typical self-reliant fan, enjoying your own food and drink.
Best Coolers To Take To A NASCAR Track
For the lucky ones that have attended a NASCAR event thus far, you would have noticed that most NASCAR race track venues only allow soft-sided coolers according to specific size requirements (14” x 14” x 14”).
Some of you may have had the unpleasant experience of pitching up with your little cooler, only to be told that no coolers or alcohol is allowed; Las Vegas Motor Speedway
, how dare you? Standing in endless lines to buy water, something to eat, and maybe a beer or two is no-one’s idea of a fun day at the races.
The good old days of packing your biggest hard-box coolers are on hold for now, maybe forever. Let’s turn our attention to the best soft-sided coolers within the size limit that you can take to a NASCAR track.
Coolers you can take to a NASCAR Race Track.
We have listed four examples of coolers that are currently allowed to be taken into a NASCAR Race Track, and they are smaller than they used tobe. It used to be 18 Inches now its reduced to 14 x 14 x 14 inches and soft sides. However, there is still plenty of room inside for up to 30 can of drinks. Just remember no glass at most tracks!
We have 4 of our choices below for coolers allowed at NASCAR tracks from the super featured to the budget just need cold drinks versions. and below we also have detailed information we researched on which tracks allow coolers, alcohol etc and which do not!
1. Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Portable Soft Cooler – B07PB4HJLZ
The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is an awesome option for the NASCAR fan who is only worried about getting as many cans of drink onto the track as possible.
It can comfortably fit 12-ounce cans and ice and has the following features that make it an awesome choice, not only for NASCAR races but also for taking it into the wild:
- ColdCell Insulation: A closed-cell foam that presents superior cold-holding compared to the average soft cooler (Keeps ice cold comfortably for more than a day).
- HydroLok Zipper: A 100% leak and waterproof zipper.
- DryHide Shell: This high-density fabric is waterproof, puncture-proof, UV-resistant, and will not succumb to mildew damage.
- Dimensions: 14” x 11” x 14” – You can take the Yeti Hopper 12 to any racetrack, except Pocono Raceway.
- Price: It’s a little bit on the expensive side, but it’s made of excellent quality materials.
- Weight: 3.1 lbs.
- Ice Retention: 60+ hours.
2. Lifewit Cooler Bag 48 Can
The Rei Cool Haul 12 is made from Oxford cloth rugged, recycled ripstop nylon, which is both leakproof and weather proof
The insulated polyester inner is seam-sealed, ensuring that the cooler doesn’t leak and can be easily removed when having to clean your beer-carrying friend. A two-way zipper provides easy access to the top compartment (interior zippered pocket), which can fit a pre-sealed snack or two.
You can carry the cooler via its top handle; side handles, or via the adjustable (also detachable) shoulder strap. It allows for numerous attaching points, and you will find some innovative cooling tips inside the pack’s lid.
An exterior front pocket can hold a few personal items, and the cooler comes with mesh pockets to keep drinks up right when you need.
It’s a compact little unit that’s affordable, just what you need for a trip to the racing track. One thing to be away of is they have different sizes so make sure you pick one that will get into the NASCAR Racetrack!
It is also the cheapest on our list.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 3.7 gallons (14 L)
- Size: 14” x 11” x 14”
- Weight: 3.12 lbs. (1.415 g)
- Ice Retention: 60+ hours.
3. Polar Bear Topper 20
The Topper 20 has a top handle, hence the name topper. The Topper 20 is a well-insulated soft cooler equipped with a watertight, airtight rubber-coated zipper that stands its ground to all weather types – keeping the hot out and the cold in.
This Polar Bear Cooler is 100% waterproof inside and out, actually floating when you put it in water. Built for adventurous conditions, it will have no problem supporting you on a NASCAR race day.
Here are some of the Topper 20 features:
- Light Weight Design
- Easy Access Flip Top Design
- Mesh Pocket
- Zipper Pocket
- Four Daisy Chains
- Four Tiedowns
- Fully Adjustable Padded Shoulder Strap
- 100% Waterproof RF Welded Construction
- Capacity: 12 (12-ounce) Cans
- Keeps Ice Cold For 48 Hours
- Dimensions: 11” x 13” x 14”
4. Icemule Pro Collapsible Backpack Cooler – B07BFHZ25K
What makes this a great choice as a soft-sided cooler is that it’s in the form of a backpack. And it fits the two-bag rule of most raceways, which states that a backpack needs to be no bigger than the following dimensions – 18″ x 18″ x 18″ – this cooler backpack measures 14” x 11” x 18”.
The backpack cooler is made from Muleskin interior and exterior, and the PolarLayer insulation guarantees ice-like temperatures for 24+ hours. The Icemule Pro can hold more cans than a soft-sided cooler with measurements of 14″ x 14″ x 14″; 18 cans or 23 liters, to be exact.
The Icemule is fitted with two padded ventilated straps that make the operation of the cooler hands-free. Its welded seams and zipper-less design makes it a waterproof floating cooler, so you know there will be no leaks on the big race day.
The Icemule’s collapsible design allows you to fold it up and pack it away when you are done for the day. The front pocket is good for storing accessories and, most importantly, keeping them dry.
What’s cool about the Icemule is that it’s the perfect cooler for someone who likes the outdoors. It’s a rugged soft-sided cooler that’s reasonably priced and can be used in various settings such as kayaking, fishing, on the beach, or when going on a hike and of course at a NASCAR racetrack.
What To Put In Your Cooler
When deciding what to pack in your cooler on racing day, you won’t often have the luxury of lots of space. The size restrictions that many tracks enforce when it comes to soft-sided coolers limit our beer-drinking potential.
So, my suggestion would be: Use the backpack for your food and accessories and your cooler for drinks only. These smaller soft-sided coolers do pretty well regarding quantity when the can size is 12-ounce cans.
What you take to the big race is totally up to you. Here are some items that you could pack into your cooler:
- Water
- Soft Drinks
- Beer
- Pre-Packaged Foods
- Sealed Foods
- Ice
- Icepacks
What NASCAR Tracks Allow Coolers?
I researched which tracks allow for a cooler and alcohol so that you know what’s the deal before NASCAR arrives in your area.
Most of the tracks allow the following bag specifications per person:
- “A maximum of two bags permitted through the admission gates that do not exceed 18” x 18” x 14” size.”
- “Soft-sided coolers that do not exceed 14” x 14” x 14” are permitted.”
- “A combination of any of these items will be permitted with the exception of one soft-sided cooler per guest.”
Typically, the additional bag can be a backpack or a tote bag.
Table 1: Which NASCAR Race tracks allow Coolers and Alcohol.
| Race Track | Location | Cooler | Alcohol |
| Auto Club Speedway | Fontana, California | Yes | Yes |
| Atlanta Motor Speedway | Hampton, Georgia | Yes | Yes |
| Texas Motor Speedway | Fort Worth, Texas | Yes | Yes |
| Richmond Raceway | Richmond, Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Talladega Super Speedway | Talladega, Alabama | Yes | Yes |
| Dover Motor Speedway | Dover, Delaware | Yes | Yes |
| Martinsville Speedway | Martinsville, Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Darlington Raceway | Darlington, South Carolina | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas Speedway | Kansas City, Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina | Yes | Yes |
| World Wide Technology Raceway | Madison, Illinois | Yes | No |
| Sonoma Raceway | Sonoma, California | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire Motor Speedway | Louden, New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| Pocono Raceway | Long Pond, Pennsylvania | Yes – Max. Cooler Size: 12” x 12” x 12” | Yes |
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Indianapolis, Indiana | Yes – Max. Cooler Size: 18” x 14” x 14” | Yes |
| Michigan International Speedway | Brooklyn, Michigan | Yes | Yes |
| Watkins Glen International | Watkins Glen, New York | Yes | Yes |
| Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Darlington Raceway | Darlington, South Carolina | Yes | Yes |
| Miami Speedway | Homestead, Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Martinsville Speedway | Martinsville, Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Phoenix Raceway | Avondale, Arizona | Yes | No |
| Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin | Yes- Picnic On Grass No- Stands/Concession Areas | Yes |
Which NASCAR Tracks Don’t Allow Coolers?
Now for the list that causes many a racing fan to become negative about the sport, especially the live viewing of a NASCAR race. Standing in long queues to get a drink is no one’s idea of a fun day out. Paying expensive prices receiving warm drinks can make fans blow a gasket faster than the racing cars.
Table 2: Which NASCAR Race Tracks do Not allow Coolers and Alcohol.
| Race Track | Location | Cooler | Alcohol |
| Nashville Super Speedway | Nashville, Tennessee | No | No |
| Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada | No | No |
Conclusion
Racing is in our blood. Some tracks not allowing fans to bring their own drinks sucks, and the limited size of the coolers can be seen as a problem. I hope that reading the article above will help you choose the right soft-sided cooler to partner with on race day.
it is no fun to turn up and be refused entry if you have the wrong size cooler. NASCAR tickets are not cheap! So plan ahead a little and pick up one of the soft size coolers, it will save you both money and time.
References:
https://popculture.com/sports/news/nascar-fans-get-heated-nashville-race-bans-coolers/
https://polarbearcoolers.com/blogs/team-polar-bear/nascar-coolers
https://gearjunkie.com/food-hydration/best-soft-coolers
https://www.rei.com/product/204429/rei-co-op-cool-haul-12-soft-cooler
https://www.nascar.com/nascar-cup-series/2022/schedule/
https://wwtraceway.com/gatewaymsp-gate-guidelines/
https://www.sonomaraceway.com/fans/rules-restrictions/
https://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/fans/
https://www.nhms.com/fans/fans-first/
https://www.poconoraceway.com/fan-information.html
https://www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com/admission-policies-entry-guide/
https://www.martinsvillespeedway.com/policies/
https://www.phoenixraceway.com/faqs/
https://www.roadamerica.com/faq
Tracks That Do Not Allow Coolers
