Hey there racing fan!
I‘m Lillie, a home improvement expert and fellow NASCAR enthusiast. If you‘re looking to experience the thrill of NASCAR live at the track, you‘re probably wondering how much tickets typically cost. Well, you‘ve come to the right place!
In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about typical NASCAR ticket prices so you can plan your ideal race day experience. Whether you want nosebleed seats or a VIP package, I‘ve got you covered on the average costs and insider tips for scoring deals.
Let‘s start by looking at the range of prices for the most popular NASCAR event – the iconic Daytona 500:
Daytona 500 Ticket Prices: The Big Race Commands Big Bucks
As the biggest NASCAR event of the year, demand for Daytona 500 tickets is extremely high. Here‘s an overview of the price ranges you can expect:
- General Admission: $99-$109
- Reserved Grandstand Seating: $115-$275+
- Infield Seating: $160-$660+
- VIP Packages: $400-$20,000+
General admission gets you basic entry and access to uncovered bench seating on a first come, first served basis. The cheapest way in, but seats fill up fast!
Reserved grandstand seats are more expensive but guarantee you an actual seat in one of the covered grandstands flanking the track. The closer to the start/finish line and lower the row number, the higher the price.
Infield seating puts you closest to the action right beside the pits and victory lane, but expect to pay a premium price for the exclusive access.
VIP packages take the experience over the top with amenities like meet-and-greets with drivers, pre-race pit access, premium parking, and more. Top-tier packages with the best views of the finish line can cost well over $1,000 per ticket!
According to data from VividSeats, the average 2021 ticket price for the Daytona 500 was $327. Prices for the 2023 race are expected to be in the same ballpark.
Average Daytona 500 Ticket Prices Over the Past 5 Years:
| Year | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $292 |
| 2019 | $323 |
| 2020 | $340 |
| 2021 | $327 |
| 2022 | $412 |
As you can see, landing a seat for the big race doesn‘t come cheap. But securing tickets early and shopping around can help you score the best deals.
Cheapest NASCAR Tickets – General Admission Starts Around $30
If your budget is tight or you just want to dip your toes in the live racing experience, go for general admission! Here are the price ranges you can expect for GA tickets at various NASCAR series:
- Cup Series: $30-$60
- Xfinity Series: $20-$40
- Truck Series: $20-$30
Many tracks also offer special discounts and package deals, especially for less popular weekday races when demand is lower. Kids, seniors, military, and student deals are common too.
Signing up for email newsletters and text alerts directly through your favorite tracks is a great way to receive exclusive ticket promo codes and access presale events. NASCAR‘s official ticket exchange site also offers discounted resale tickets.
Factors That Influence NASCAR Ticket Prices
Several key factors impact how much NASCAR tickets will cost:
Event Size and Popularity
The major races like the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and season finales command the highest ticket prices. Meanwhile, smaller regional races have more affordable tickets.
Driver/Team Popularity
Seeing fan favorites like Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, or Denny Hamlin will drive up demand and prices. Newer teams and lesser known drivers generally mean cheaper seats.
Seating Location
Frontstretch seats are priciest due to their head-on view of the main straightway and finish line. Turns and high-altitude rows cost less. Infield seats and special club areas are premium.
Days of the Week
Weekend events are typically much more in-demand and expensive than weekday races. Fridays and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds.
Venue Capacity
Tiny short tracks and speedways with less seating availability leads to higher prices based on scarcity. Bigger tracks can accommodate more fans at lower prices.
Ticket Seller
Buying directly through the racetrack box office or NASCAR.com provides the cheapest access. Third-party resellers like StubHub often markup 20%-50% or more!
Access the VIP Experience with Premium Tickets
Want to enjoy all the exclusive perks of a luxury experience? Premium or VIP NASCAR ticket packages may include:
- Up-close access to pits/garages
- All-inclusive food, drinks, and snacks
- Driver appearances and meet-and-greets
- Pre-race track walks or rodeos
- Post-race victory lane celebrations
- Commemorative gifts and programs
- Private shuttle services
Premium packages start around $200 per person for basic upgrades and range well over $1,000+ for lavish experiences like catered dining and suite access. Here are some examples of premium add-ons at Daytona:
- Axalta Injector VIP Access: $279/ticket
- FanVision and Headset Rental: $59/ticket
- Pre-Race Track Pass: $129/ticket
- Driver Introduction Pass: $179/ticket
Average Ticket Prices at Popular NASCAR Tracks
While each race and seating section is priced individually, here are some of the overall average price ranges you can expect at popular Cup Series tracks:
Talladega Superspeedway
- General Admission: $50-$75
- Grandstand: $80-$120
- Towers: $125-$175
Charlotte Motor Speedway
- General Admission: $25-$75
- Grandstand: $60-$115
- Clubhouse/Suites: $150+
Auto Club Speedway
- General Admission: $40-$60
- Main Grandstand: $75-$100
- Clubhouse: $150+
Kansas Speedway
- General Admission: $75-$90
- Mid-Level Grandstand: $95-$140
- Club Suites: $250+
Keep in mind prices will surge for bigger events like playoffs, holidays, and races near ticket on-sale dates. Booking early helps avoid sticker shock!
Saving on NASCAR Tickets – Insider Tips and Tricks
As a fellow cost-conscious fan, here are my top insider strategies for scoring deals on NASCAR tickets:
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Purchase early – Prices always go up as races sell out
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Buy directly from the track – Avoid fees and markups from resellers
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Sign up for email/text lists – Take advantage of presales and exclusive promos
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Compare prices across multiple sellers – Shop around for the best deals
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Consider general admission – Cheapest way in for open seating based on arrival time
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Go to less popular events – Lower demand = better prices
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Watch for promotions – Kids, military, student, senior, and group discounts
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Use a ticket exchange – Score last minute resale deals
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Avoid final practice/qualifying – Cheaper to attend on non-race days
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Buy season pass – Attend multiple races at a discounted bundled price
With a bit of advanced planning and smart shopping, you can find relatively affordable NASCAR tickets for $50-$150 on average.
NASCAR Ticket Types: Know the Differences
When browsing listings, you‘ll come across two main types of NASCAR tickets:
General Admission
- Cheapest option
- No reserved seat – first come, first served
- Access to benched seating areas and grassy hills
- Entry to FanZone activities
Reserved Seating
- Guaranteed seat for the race
- More expensive than general admission
- Designated section, row, and seat number
- Often closer views of track
Many fans opt for general admission as a cheap way to get in the door. But if you want the assurance of an actual seat, reserved tickets are worth the extra cost.
VIP packages with premium extras like food and track access will add a considerable amount on top as well.
What Does General Admission Provide Access To?
General admission tickets offer basic access to the race events:
- Entry to stadium
- Unreserved benched seating areas
- Grassy hill viewing spots
- Potential access to Turn 1, Turn 4 viewing areas
- Outside viewing fences and portals
- FanZone activities and displays
- Pre-race events, depending on venue
Upgrades to reserved grandstands, infield wristbands, and clubs/suites will cost extra and allow you into more exclusive areas.
Real-World NASCAR Ticket Price Examples
To give you a feel for current prices, here are some examples for a sample of upcoming NASCAR races across different tracks:
Texas Motor Speedway – 2023 Cup Series Race
- Frontstretch GA: $79
- Backstretch GA: $59
- Reserved Seating: $89-$179
- Winner‘s Circle Suites: $350+
Auto Club Speedway – 2023 Pala Casino 400
- GA Bleachers: $49
- GA Hillside: $69
- Main Grandstand: $89-$119
- Club Suites: $419+
Nashville Superspeedway – 2023 Ally 400
- Adult GA: $99
- Adult Reserved: $110-$200
- Kids 12 & Under: $10-$25
Pocono Raceway – 2023 Pocono Organics CBD 325
- GA Grandstand: $85
- Reserved: $95-$150
- Clubhouse: $210+
So as you can see, even regular season races at "minor" tracks easily run $75-$200 for decent reserved seating. The advantages of general admission really shine through for their affordability!
Bottom Line on NASCAR Ticket Prices
Whew – hopefully this detailed breakdown gives you a fuller picture of the typical ticket price ranges you can expect across various NASCAR series, tracks, seating options and more.
While the Daytona 500 and other top-tier races can get very expensive for premium experiences, there are still lots of ways to enjoy NASCAR on a budget if you look in the right places!
General admission, off peak days/times, direct track purchases, and loyalty discounts are your friends for NASCAR tickets under $100. With smart shopping, you can often grab seats for as low as $20-$50.
At the end of the day, race day is all about sharing thrill and excitement of NASCAR with other fans – whether you‘re in the high-roller suites or standing on a grassy hillside. Use this guide to set your budget and expectations, then start scouting for the perfect affordable tickets to your ideal NASCAR live experience!
Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to help a fellow racing fan master the art of scoring the best NASCAR tickets for less. Enjoy the ride!
