They radically jack up hotel prices in Knoxville for that week, I think its usually at least $200/ nite
I stay at Motel 6 in Des Moines, "el cheapo" & an easy 35 minute drive....
Its fun, the whole town is filled with sprint car fans
& it coincides with Perseid meteor showers. On the drive home, I usually find a nice empty area of cornfield (pretty much everywhere!) no light pollution, pull over & watch the show!
Don't drive drunk, police are looking for that....