Originally Posted by ModernDayDrifter:
ISF,
Why do you say to watch hotlaps from turn 3 vs. turn 1? And as far as preference, I have been to two Silver Crown races on dirt, one at the Indy Mile and one at Terre Haute. Understand you can't see the whole race/track from the infield at the mile but keep in mind we will be there early as I do enjoy the whole day of festivities with hotlaps, qualifying, consolation race, etc. and I will have a 14 year old with me whose attention span is not always there. So we enjoy throwing a football or baseball back and forth during down time and we enjoy grilling out in the infield at tracks when we get the chance. But I will run it past the group and see if they prefer to be in the infield or the stands, either way is fine with me.
The reason for the advise to watch hot laps in Turn #3 is because turn #1 generally has a hospitality tent set up and the area between the pit exit and the meat of turn #1 is quite congested. Over in turn #3 the area is populated with other fans and is for the most part wide open to wander to and from viewing areas for the most optimum experience of watching the drivers hurdle down the backstretch and throw the big, beautiful SC cars into #3 at 150+ MPH!! Watching in turn #1 doesn't afford you quite as much unencumbered view of the front stretch due to the stage and other things on the front stretch.
Given your circumstances the large open area's of the infield may be preferable and would be great for the younger folks who would favor periodic diversion from the on track action. The grilling aspect of spectating from the infield is also a great idea. Since we camp on the fairgrounds most of the week leading up to race weekend we never really have given that much thought but grilling would surely add favorably to the whole days' enjoyment, and after all, that's the reason we all attend races!
You might give some consideration to stopping at Mighty Macon Speedway for the POWRi midget show in the evening following the Bettenhausen Memorial. Macon, more often than not, produces some of the best racing of that weekend. Macon is just a 45 minute drive east of Springfield. You wouldn't have to rush getting there from the fairgrounds since the checkers fly on the Bettenhausen Memorial well before 4 PM. If you opt to take in the racing activities at Mighty Macon you'll want to set high in the middle of either the front or backstretch. Just thought we'd throw that out there.
Silver Crown Championship Dirt Cars properly driven on a one mile dirt track are classic poetry in motion. Using that analogy, Jack Hewitt is one of the greatest poets of all time.