Have Tickets, Will Race

I married my husband knowing he was a NASCAR fan.  He said for 10 years that he wanted me to go to a race with him.  Well, the unthinkable happened this past weekend:  I went with him and his brother to Richmond International Raceway to watch my first NASCAR race.

I’d like to share my experience with you because I’m sure there are lots of moms out there with kids who love race cars, Lightning McQueen and Dale Jr. who have wondered, “Hmmm…. What would it be like to take my child to a race?”  Let me first say:  Despite my reluctance to go, I enjoyed myself.  The atmosphere?  Pretty fun!  The food?  Not very healthy and kind of pricey, but still yummy –not unlike the State Fair!

That said, if my race-going experience was a movie I would give it a PG-13.  Smoking, drinking and cussing are prevalent.  We also saw a few people pulling down their pants to reveal things written on their undies.  (Frankly, my kids would have loved that – we’re into potty humor at our house!). We rented the scanners so we could hear the drivers talking – which was neat but I would also rate it as PG-13.

Rating aside, the event required quite a time commitment:  lots of time waiting to park, walking to our seats, and watching the cars race for 400 laps.  We were out from 3:30 PM to 11 PM and that’s on the shorter side of what most people do.  That’s a long day for little ones.  Plus, it is a lot of walking.  During the race itself I found it difficult to follow and kind of boring after a while so I can only imagine that little ones would get bored and cranky.

I cannot stress how loud it was.  It is LOUD.  I mean, if I could capitalize my capitals on LOUD, I would do it.  Kids must have some sort of ear protection and even with my rented, professional-grade supersize headphone/earmuffs on, the noise still made me dizzy at times.  It left me looking at the babies, toddlers and other youngsters wondering – Could there be long-term damage to their ears from this?

I think you can take certain steps to ensure it is more family-friendly.  We definitely saw people there with little ones, though most kids were tweens and teens.  For starters, there are Family Sections with ticketing and features designed for the under-12 crowd, like no alcohol or smoking allowed.  For getting to the race, you can park in a section that provides buses to the race complex.  However, I’m not sure there’s any way to get around the fact that there will be crowds and waiting.  So bring other things to keep your child entertained.

The few kids sitting near us seemed to be having a good time.  One little boy about six, there with his dad, was playing with his race car.  Another one, about ten, had the scanner headphones and was dancing and cheering the whole time.  Personally, I wouldn’t really consider taking my son until he’s at least six.  There are other ways to enjoy NASCAR for kids, like qualifying events the night before a race at which parking is much easier and kids are free.  My husband took my 3-year-old son to one of these and he still talks about it!

To learn more about what goes on at the Richmond International Raceway, click here.

Includes Activities Powered by NASA, Science Museum and State Fair

September 6-7, 2013

RICHMOND — September 4, 2013 — Families attending this weekend’s Virginia529 Kids Zone at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) may rub elbows with two big names from racing and from space.

NASA associate administrator and retired astronaut Leland Melvin participated in two space flights in 2008 and 2009, logging more than 565 hours in space. He will answer questions about NASA and space on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Virginia529 Kids Zone. Melvin also is the honorary starter for the Virginia529 College Savings 250 Friday night and will wave the green flag to signal the drivers to start. Following the race, spectators may notice NASA’s scheduled launch of the LADEE moon exploration spacecraft. RIR is a designated viewing area for the 11:27 p.m. launch from Virginia’s Wallops Island.  

As a wild card contender for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, driver Joey Logano is hoping Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 will secure him a spot in the Race for the Chase. Before he suits up for the race though, he will read The Berenstain Bears and the Big Road Race at 4 p.m. in the Virginia529 Kids Zone.

Kids of all ages can enjoy a variety of other activities at the free Virginia529 Kids Zone. The interactive area will feature more than 20 hands-on science and technology activities for children and families to explore.

In the Virginia529 Kids Zone, children can:

• Simulate a geyser using Mentos candy and explore other cool science concepts from the Science Museum of Virginia
• Learn about gravity, flight and motion in NASA’s Rockets 2 Racecars exhibit
• Pretend to be in victory lane and take a photo with the Virginia529 College Savings 250 trophy
• Pet miniature farm animals and learn to rope a steer from the State Fair of Virginia
• Burn off excess energy in several themed inflatable attractions

Families also can learn about saving for college from Virginia529 College Savings Plan (Virginia529). Virginia529 offers four tax-advantaged programs to help parents tame the Tuition Monster by saving for college in advance. 

The Virginia529 Kids Zone is located outside the track along the Commonwealth Mall. Race tickets are not required for the Virginia529 Kids Zone and other midway attractions. Parking also is free.

About the Virginia529 College Savings Plan:

Virginia529 is a 529 college savings plan that offers flexible, affordable, tax-advantaged savings for qualified higher education expenses through its four programs – Virginia529 prePAID ^SM (prePAID ^SM), Virginia529 inVEST ^SM (inVEST ^SM), CollegeAmerica® and CollegeWealth®. With 2.3 million accounts and more than $43 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2013, Virginia529 is the largest 529 plan in the country. For more information on Virginia529’s college savings options, visit Virginia529.com.

Virginia529 is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

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The Junior League of Richmond

presents its 8th Annual

Saturday, October 5, 2013

VIP Access ONLY
9:00 am – 10:00 am

General Admission
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Richmond International Raceway (RIR)
Main Gate

600 East Laburnum Avenue
Richmond, Virginia

RAIN or SHINE

Check back for advance ticket sales!

Event Overview

The 8th Annual Touch a Truck is a unique and interactive event that allows children to see, touch, and safely explore their favorite big trucks and heavy machinery, as well as to meet the personnel who protect, serve, and build the Richmond community. Vehicles on display routinely include construction trucks, emergency responders, tractor trailers, utility trucks, and helicopters. The event also features area mascots, special performances, snack bars, face painting, inflatables, games, and crafts.   There is fun for children and adults alike!

Federated Auto Parts 400

Visit the VA529 Tent in the Midway

Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA

The Pit Stop Exhibit Grand Opening at CMoR Chesterfield is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, 2013 and its all FREE. It’s a time to celebrate the new “Pit Stop” exhibit and NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler will be there to cut the ribbon and present the new traveling exhibit.

Richmondmom.com got a preview of the exhibit last week and it’s going to be a hit with kids of all ages. After all, who doesn’t love the excitement of a race car. Kids will enjoy:

• Climbing into the stand and waving flags of NASCAR – cheering on their favorite cars.
• ‘Driving’ a ‘half’ race car from right behind the steering wheel and seeing what it’s really like to be inside a NASCA race car.
• Checking out the cool photos of popular race car drivers when they were kids too!
• Pedaling around in cool race-themed cars on a fun race track just for kids.
• Building a race car and racing it down the track at the special build-your-own-racer station.

The kids love the adventure of checking out a NASCAR race car, building their own, and pedaling around the race track. Don’t miss this exhibit as it travels around the Richmond area museums.

Admission is FREE!

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Where: CMoR Chesterfield
6629 Lake Harbour Drive, Midlothian, VA 23112
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm

The Children’s Museum of Richmond, in partnership with Richmond International Raceway, is proud to present the newest exhibit at the children’s museum, “PIT STOP“. The exhibit is scheduled to open in the Chesterfield location on Thursday, February 7th.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond is excited about this partnership with Richmond International Raceway and is grateful to once again offer something new and exciting to families throughout the community. Karen Coltrane, museum president and CEO states, “This partnership allows us to create a new exhibit area that will engage both children and adults with the excitement of racing.   From building small scale cars to race against others to powering their own car around a track to experiencing the feel of a real race car, the exhibit inspires through hands on play.”

“This partnership among Richmond International Raceway, The NASCAR Foundation and the Children’s Museum of Richmond is very important for us,” said RIR President Dennis Bickmeier. “For decades kids across the world have learned about motorsports by being exposed to racing at a young age. It’s our hope that we will not only continue this tradition, but further the industry goal of getting children involved at an early age with NASCAR events, especially right here in the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area.”

This newest exhibit, which will travel to all CMoR Locations, features a variety of interactive elements, including:

Flag Stand

My little 7-year-old hot rod.

I can’t make this stuff up: my middle-child is named after his daddy’s ’66 Mustang.

So, when I was given the amazing opportunity to see the world of Nascar behind-the-scenes at RIR last Saturday with Ford Racing, my husband suddenly became very interested in my blogging career. He took one for the team and volunteered for the tough job of touring the inner-workings of a world which I knew almost nothing about.

The day started out sunny and cool and we met to get our fancy credentials (notice the word HOT. That was a nice ego-boost and diversion from my typical name tags reading ”Mrs. Hall” courtesy of the elementary school office.) We were off an into the inner-workings of a race track on the day of the Capital City 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

We met with Dan, our incredible host who took us to the media room, where tons of bloggy/television/radio-type folks gather (tightly) for a weekend of fast-paced racin’ and writin’.

Jack Rousch, a clear legend 'round these parts.

We stood in the burger line with the legendary Jack Roush, Roush became the only professional drag racer to venture into NASCAR, SCCA Trans-Am, and IMSA road racing and sports car racing – with success in every series.

Right away, we were given an amazing opportunity riding with Brett Bodine, former Nascar racer, around RIR, and as he sped up, I thought this isn’t so fast and then he SWOOPED left and showed us how a real pit stop worked. We’ll never know exactly, but I’m pretty sure my heart caught up with us a good thirty seconds later. Brett explained that the car we were riding in, although it allowed passengers, had the exact same engine as the cars racing on the track that very night.

We were lucky enough to spend time with the brilliant minds behind Ford Racing who shared the new vehicle designs, much more sleek and streamlined, that apparently will appease the frustrated minds of Nascar fans everywhere, who seek more styling on the track.

Speaking of fans, I learned that Nascar fans are some of the most loyal of any sport, and at almost ninety bucks for an average ticket

Serious swag for some serious fans were sold from this truck, including to yours truly.

and often traveling great distances to spend a day at the track, they’re willing to show their love via their wallets.

Seeking out some statistics to share with you (my own Kate Hall Nascar for Dummies), I found some great Nascar statistics:

• The average race has over 99,000 fans
• Annually over 3.6 million fans are at the track each year, and there are an estimated 75 million Nascar fans
• 66% of Nascar fans are extremely brand-loyal and are willing to pay for the sponsor’s  product
• And one of the most surprising, validated by what I saw on the track: 40% of Nascar fans are women

It's pretty neat that this thing needs to be plugged in prior to racing around the track.

Brett Bodine had also shared that he would be driving the pace car in the race, and it was a vehicle that would be making Nascar history: it would be the first electric vehicle ever to kick-off a Nascar race, the Ford Focus E.

When we were able to see it up-close later in the afternoon, it appeared ordinary and remarkable at the same time. Running at a maximum of 110 miles per gallon, I have to admit I was salivating imagining all the potential savings on fuel if I traded in my Explorer for this little baby, but that’s not possible until later this year unless I traveled to another market.

 As fuel prices climb to $4 per gallon, it definetly had my wheels turning.

Apparently I’m not the only one considering a fuel-efficient vehicle. According to USA Today a Ford study reveals that 61% of Americans are interested in buying a hybrid or electric vehicle, but until gas reaches $5 a gallon, few of us will ever truly consider buying one.

The other interesting aspect of this vehicle is that unlike Chevy, Ford is marketing mainly to eco-minded consumers through target vehicles such as social media, and on a smaller scale than the highly-awaited Chevy Volt.

It was cool to see and hear the differences between electric vehicles, because like me, most Americans don’t understand the differences between hybrids and electric vehicles.

I have no idea what all of that stuff in there is, but it's loud and seriously fast, and pretty fun to be around.

My head was spinning with all of this new-found knowledge, and although it’s surely less than 1% of what’s in my husband’s head, I was proud of stretching my interests into a world in which I knew nothing about.

We added bringing my kids back for a Nascar race to the bucket list, and with the new Kids Zone that we featured earlier this month I’m pretty sure they’d love it.

These four seats are for the Nascar Race Friday night, April 27, 2012 and if you bring the kids, you’ll experience the brand-new Kids Zone at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) powered by The Science Museum of Virginia.

Contest Update: Congratulations to Michelle Hasty on winning this family four-pack of tickets!

VA 529 is a site sponsor of Richmondmom.com. You can save the $25 VA 529 registration fee by using the code on our Savvy Saver Card to enroll a child in the 529 Savings Plan on our Savvy  Saver Card.