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Planning to go to a NASCAR race soon or maybe even next year? Well, one essential thing every NASCAR fan who is planning to attend a race is to pack a cooler. NASCAR is one of the few sporting leagues left in the world that still allows outside food and/or drink to be brought into the racing facility in a cooler. But where do you need to start when deciding what all you need to include in your cooler when expecting to attend a NASCAR event? What are some of the restrictions tracks have in place for the safety of all fans? We here at the Daily Downforce thought it’d be a good idea to break it down for you. Here’s everything you need and what you should consider when packing a cooler for a NASCAR race! Check it out!
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For starters, let’s talk about what kind of cooler you want to pack and take to a NASCAR event. While the contents of the cooler will largely determine the weight of it, the material it’s made out of will also add to the overall pounds of the cooler. So, while you can take hard-cased coolers at some tracks (most have outlawed them, though), it’s better to err on the side of caution and comfort. For instance, my favorite cooler to take is a backpack cooler that can be thrown over the shoulders and carried with ease.
At many NASCAR tracks (including all SMI tracks) fans are limited to 2 bags per person (not counting bags received from merchandise haulers). In the case of Bristol Motor Speedway, coolers cannot exceed 14″x14″x14″. The coolers and bags you pack typically do not have to be transparent, but different tracks have different rules. So, keep that in mind while preparing your cooler for your next NASCAR event. It would be wise to research your specific track’s dos and don’ts when it comes to prohibited items.
What you need to put some serious thought into when it comes to packing a cooler for a NASCAR race is what you’re going to use to keep the contents cooled. Typically, I use various icepacks that you can easily reuse by just chucking them in the freezer when you’re done. Some fans use actual ice, and that’s fine. The problem with ice, though, is that it melts and can produce standing water at the bottom of your cooler. So, if you’re taking sandwich supplies, you might want to steer clear of bags of ice.
Speaking from experience, it can get mighty hot at NASCAR races, especially in the summer months. It’s imperative that you, as a fan, stay hydrated, and the best way to do that is by including drinks in your cooler. Obviously, that’s primarily what your cooler is for, isn’t it? When I attend a NASCAR race, I usually pack a lot of water and one or two bottles of Powerade. My dad, however, typically always packs a few 24-ounce bottles of Mountain Dew.
Another popular beverage for fans to pack is beer. I get it—prices at the concession stands are outrageous! One thing to keep in mind, though, is that glass bottles are explicitly prohibited inside NASCAR facilities. If you show up to check into a NASCAR racetrack with glass-bottled beer or even soda, you’ll be turned away. So, when needing your booze fix, spring for aluminum cans.
Insulated cups (like Stanley’s cups, for example) are allowed in the track. So, if you want to pack your cup full of ice and use the contents of the cooler to refill it throughout the day, go for it by all means!
Unlike a lot of other sporting leagues (and seemingly one of NASCAR’s biggest appeals), outside food and drink are allowed in your cooler as you enter the track. This can range from simple snacks such as crackers and peanuts to even sandwiches if you’re looking to get through the weekend as cheaply as possible. My go-to is to pack a few packs of Austin peanut butter sandwich crackers, and my dad usually takes a few chocolate chip cookies.
Last year, when I attended the spring Darlington race, my mom and I packed pre-made bologna and cheese sandwiches with packaged mustard and mayo. You can pack almost anything in the snacking area, from chips to cookies to sandwiches. Just make sure they’re packed away in a plastic baggie and not glass, and have a great time!
I’m including this in an article that is generally about cooler contents because I also pack my sunscreen in the side pocket of my cooler so that I always have it. Long days in the sun at the track (especially if said track has aluminum bleachers) can give way to a miserable week or two of sun poisoning. Trust me, I’ve been there! So please, do yourself a favor and pack sunscreen. Typically, all sunscreen forms are allowed inside a NASCAR facility, be it in lotion form or from an aerosol can. Note that sunscreen is the only item you can bring from an aerosol can. All others are prohibited.
When packing a cooler for a NASCAR race, keep in mind that simplicity is almost always the best option. If you cram it full of food you’re probably never going to eat, it just makes the cooler heavier to lug around. Focus primarily on drinks and add food items as needed.
Now that we’ve talked about what you should pack in the event that you’re packing a cooler for a NASCAR race, let’s talk about some items that are typically prohibited and could get you turned around at the gate.
Possessing any of these items listed above will get you turned away at the gate. Track officials will inspect your cooler to make sure it’s free of any potentially dangerous substances or items. Play it safe and adhere to the track’s rules regarding prohibited items so that you can have a fun and annoyance free race weekend.
That does it for us, NASCAR fans! What are some of your favorite items to pack in a cooler for a NASCAR race? Do you also agree that simple is usually the better and more lightweight route to take? What kind of drinks and snacks do you typically pack? What’s your favorite cooler brand to use? Let us know all of that and more by commenting on all of our social media platforms.
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