Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

This August will be our first trip to the Knoxville Nationals. Does anyone have any good advice on which camp ground to stay at, some good places to eat, etc? Any advice will be truly appreciated.

The first time I went we stayed at the Army core of engineers campground right below the dam..It was choice. Alot of room to run around if you have kids,bike ridin galore and QUITE!!! Check out the morning pancake breakfasts in town. Honestly you can't swing a dead cat in Knoxville with out finding some good chow. The most important thing is taking it all in and HAVING A GOOD TIME!!! I know i did

"Give me a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it 
quick, I'm in a goddamn hurry." 

If you do not have a place to stay at yet you should check out the k-ville chamber web sight I believe they will have some camping info, if not I know there are alot of options for camping at residence around town. I wouldn't worry about finding a place to camp as you should be able to roll into town and find something close to the track. Oh yeah there are plenty of great eating establishments in the area

Go to the Knoxville Raceway web page for the phone number of the track campgrounds. We stay at the county park campgrounds and reserve our sites in November, not sure how many sites would be available there. Good luck

not sure about campgrounds we always stay with a good friend but knoxville chamber of commerce can fix you up with ideas..lots of people there rent space in their yards...its nice to park close so you can walk to and from the track...otherwise you have to pay to park for each night..no parking at the track...as for food...lots of good places...one night have to try the ribeye sandwiches and fresh corn on the cob available right when you enter the track...yum..this is the wife..hubby could only tell you where they have good beer...lol..you are going to love the whole experience...and the people there are so friendly ...enjoy!!!

If you can walk a couple of blocks, you should never have to pay to park at the Nationals. If you'd rather park close, then you may choose to. I've never paid a dime to park and watch the races at Knoxville...it is true that the free parking area outside of turns three and four is taken by haulers during the Nationals, so you may have to park a couple blocks away...

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

I would like to tell you to go downtown and eat at a place called Tasos, but they closed down sometime between now and last summer. That place was the shit. I'm really bummed out that it's closed. Besides fast food there is a Godfathers Pizza, Pizza Hut, Subway, decent mexican restaurant downtown(not sure of the name), good cafe' downtown(not sure of the name) Mr. C's, more that I can't think of, and lots of vendors in and around the fairgrounds. My personal favorite would be the boys from Oklahoma in the North Campground!!

Tasos (sp) is closed, OMG! My favorite pizza from the 43 States I've visited. The last couple of years I was there the prize about doubled and the 'za got smaller, guess that didn't work too well. Take It Easy....

If your looking for walk-able distance campgrounds and some late night partys, either the North Campground or VanDonslers (R/V's) will suit your needs. The VanDonslers do a great job and are super nice people. We've spent lots of years there and had great neighbors and great times each year.
We're now in the Marion County Park Campground.... plenty of space, shade trees, grass (lawn), nice shower facilities and pretty laid back relaxing kind of place.

Knoxville is 100% a great time and it is unbelievable how much my family looks forward to this trip and event.

Enjoy the whole scene.

Jeff Wesell
Hartford, WI

Yes, sad but true. When we drove up to Tasos and found that it was shut down we decided to go to Pizza Hut instead. We asked our server what the deal with Tasos was and she mentioned the same thing you did. New ownership and higher prices. She did mentioon the possibility that it was going to re-open in a new facility, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The Mexican place in Knoxville is called Casa Grande and it's just off the main square, they have good food, if your're looking for Chinese the Hong Kong Buffett is right on west side of the square, and the coffee place is called Coffee Connection north side of the squre. They usually are open only in the morning but may extend hours for the Nationals. Tasos closed down last fall and likley won't reopen EVER. If you want to drive a few miles but get awesome BBQ Kinfolk in Attica is another place to eat. Just take Higway 5 South to Attica

it's about 7 miles away.

I'm a little disappointed in the threads. I've seen numerous mentions of Pizza Hut... and not even one mention of the fabulous PORK PRODUCTS that I dined on for 4 nights during my vacation to Iowa in August.

Pork chop sandwich unlike what most of us have at home vs. a pepperoni pizza at Pizza Hut.

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.......... let's think..........

Definitely do the pancake breakfasts and dine at the track in my humble opinion. Leave the chains you have at home...at home. Live a little!

Hey MSPN don't panic to much about Tasos. If you Taso lovers make it over to Osky on Monday or Tuesday Taso's daughter opened one up over there. Same food. It is just of the NW corner of the square in Osky. Hands down best food in Knoxville during Nationals is the guy who sets up just south of the track by the Ready Mix plant. I about needed a cigarette after that meal if you know what I mean. A great parking option is the Celebrate church across from the track. They have reserved spots that you buy for the week and you can come and go as you please and you know your spot is always there. It is directly across from turns 1&2. Great option. I think I have tried all the beer spots over the years and you just can't beat Dingus. The only other advice I have is get up early and stay up late, there is alot to see and alot of great people to talk to. Don't be scared to just start talking to people because I have met a ton of great people that way and heard some awesome racing stories. This might be your first trip, but I bet it aint your last.

Thank you.

My wife told me if I went to one more Sprint Car race 
she would leave me.................I'm sure gonna miss 
that ol' gal. 

your welcome darbo...you have always made us feel right at home from day one...darbo and his wife are great people....we enjoy seeing them every year as much as the racing.. .also can meet some people and talk racing at the Hy Vee they have a beer garden with food... Dangitt..if you see some crazy people riding around on a limo golf cart with bar stools decked out in steve kinser colors be sure and stop us and say hello..same for all of you on here we have not met...maybe you can take a spin around town with us..we have alot of fun on that cart ..just ask darbo...,lol

Go up to Marshalltown & get a Taylor's Maid Rite sandwich. Or 2 . Or a dozen. Be sure and get a malt,Was so big it and 2 sandwhiches filled me up.

They have been there in Marshalltown since 1928,it is as historical as it is good.

http://www.maidrite.com

The golf cart will go down in history as a Nationals Classic. George created a work of art and it was and will always be a hit at the Nationals. A lot of people in town just try to survive the week of Nationals and I thrive on it. Have made many, many friends and meet new ones every year. George and Rita have become our BFF's!!!!

My wife told me if I went to one more Sprint Car race 
she would leave me.................I'm sure gonna miss 
that ol' gal. 

Slideways karting is a fun diversion - with winged "sprint-type" karts. Also English Creek not far out of town runs outlaw winged karts during the day - it's a neat little track - while you are visiting the Hall of Fame (a must) ask David Hermann for directions to English Creek. For eats - the aforementioned Hong Kong Buffet on the square is a good place for a belly-full and the Pork Producers trailer by the HyVee lot near Dingus is indeed good eats and the HyVee cafeteria-style food is reasonably priced and ain't too bad either - if you are in a hurry for grub.

Phil Taylor

home-theater-systems-advice.com

We always go to Udders steak house (about 5 miles north of town). Its a fun place to eat, you can cook your own steak. On tuesday at the track they have a free lunch(Burgers,Brats, and Dogs) just west of the main grandstands. Its really nice every year.

We stay at the Marion county fairground. Like other people have said its a nice calm family place to camp. They usually have spots to camp. The shuttle comes by all week to take you to the track, Walmart,downtown, and other stops. That is a really nice bonus, not having to drive all over.

take in the hall of fame,grandstand bands,parade downtown,outlaw carts, dingus, heck, just sit on the wall and "people watch" prior to the nights races , always seems entertaining.