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For those new to NASCAR, they may wonder what some of the must-watch races are throughout the season. While they may struggle sitting down to watch all 36 events, they do want to keep up with the must-watch races at the must-watch tracks. This is a list of the race tracks new fans have to watch out for.
Superspeedways are always a spectacle when the NASCAR Cup Series rolls in. Not only are the speeds during the race some of the fastest on the circuit (190+ MPH), but the close-pack racing means that drivers are on edge every lap. Every superspeedway race, even the worst, usually has an intriguing finish to make it worth your time…unless a caution comes out on the last lap.
We grouped all three of these tracks, Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta, together because, while they are all unique in their own way, they provide fundamentally the same racing product. If you watch a Daytona race, you’re going to see a similar product at Talladega and Atlanta.
The Next-Gen car truly shines on intermediate race tracks, and Charlotte is the best of the lot. The 1.5-mile track features high speeds and multiple grooves for drivers to move around. It’s a showcase of a driver’s patience, but their aggression and bravery at the same time.
The track hosts the Coca-Cola 600 annually, which transitions from day to night. This adds to the challenge as Charlotte is notorious for changing track conditions as it transitions from day to night. It’s a wonderful testament to driver skill while also producing a great racing product.
Darlington Raceway tests a driver unlike any race track in NASCAR. Imagine racing on a two-lane country road with a wall on one side and a steep mountain ravine on the other side. That’s kind of what racing at Darlington is like.
It’s narrow, and the ideal line is right up against the wall which puts the drivers just inches away from potential disaster. Every race at Darlington is an endurance test to see which driver can master the track better than the rest. The fastest car does not always win, but the driver who rides the razor edge making the fewest mistakes is the one who wins.
This track is here partially because of the incredible first race, but, also the novelty of it. It’s the original NASCAR street race, and it was the first modern motorsport street race to be held in the City of Chicago. The track itself is a bit of a pedestrian layout, but, the nature of street racing makes it fun.
Whereas many road courses have large grass or asphalt runoff areas. there is no room for error on a street course. If a driver makes a mistake, it’s usually a date with the retaining walls, which makes the challenge that much more interesting. Again, it’s not necessarily the fastest car that wins, it’s the one who find the balance between risk and reward, just like Darlington.
Sure, the short-track package leaves a lot to be desired, but, Bristol is still undeniably awesome. The high banks on the 0.533-mile track make the speeds incredible for a track of its size. Things happen fast at Bristol, and the spring race highlights what makes Bristol so fun.
It’s a track that hosts 500-lap endurance tests. They’re all about saving what the drivers need to make it to the end of the race. Those who combine a fast race car with conserving both the car and personal stamina will be there at the end. On top of that, the crowd for the Night Race still provides an unbelievable atmosphere.
For new fans, circle the dates when these tracks are on the schedule. This will provide some of the best NASCAR racing along with an appreciation for the sport itself.
