Insider's Guide to the Nascar Tracks: The Unofficial, Opinionated, Fan's Guide to the Nextel Cup Circuit

From moonshine runners tearing down Appalachian backroads to high-tech, high-dollar teams racing for millions at gleaming new tracks in Dallas and Chicago, NASCAR is a uniquely American rags-to-riches success story. While other big-league motorsports series have seen declining attendance and television ratings, NASCAR continues to soar, pulling standing-room-only crowds to the track every weekend and millions more on TV. And there's a reason for that phenomenal growth: These guys are like folks you know, driving cars that look like the ones you see every day. So each weekend, hundreds of thousands of fans pack up their coolers and cameras, their sunscreen and scanner radios, and head for the high-banked tracks that stretch from California to New Hampshire. Sure, they can watch the races in the comfort of their living rooms, but hardcore race fans know that there's nothing like the visceral thrill of live racing.

This terrific guide profiles each track, including opinions on

Where to stay
Where to eat
Where to sit
What to watch for
The camping alternative
Getting there and out again without a helicopter
Historical anecdotes and memorable events at each racing facility
The best seats in the house
The best bargain seats
Tips from various drivers on what to watch for at each track
And More!