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

Just wondering what are some must do's at the Nationals?

What to see?

What to eat?

What to drink?

I know about the Sprint Car Hall Of Fame, Dingus, the Iowa Beer Bus and Slideways.

Thank you! 
See you all soon!

When my son and I made our Nationals debut in 2017, we really enjoyed spending a day at The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines and another day had lunch in Pella (neat little town)

One of the best things to experience during the Nationals is the fan forums at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. Great conversation and interviews with the drivers of today and the past.

Here's a schedule: https://chooseknoxvilleiowa.com/events/national-sprint-car-hall-of-fame-fan-forums-events/

Ask Frank

There's a list of activities in SC&M, pobably online too

If you want showers, swimming & exercise, they have a Rec Center, reasonable daily rate

Or you could just wander around... always something, the town is hoppin'!

Yes, yes, yes, and yes to your 4 ideas.  If you're a big fan of brews, Peace Tree Brewing in downtown Knoxville is pretty nice too, and the beer is great.  Pella has a few nice bars as well-----my favorites being the Cellar Peanut Pub and the Butcher's Brewhaus.  If you're going before the 410's, English Creek Speedway is running Monday and Tuesday during the day I believe----haven't been there for quite a while, but that is cool too.   Hall of Fame is a must.  I go through it about every other year, so I've been about 10 times!  Slideways is very cool as well.  You can race, or sit and have a drink and watch.  

Eat?  Rib Shack right next to the track is a must!

Drink?  Everything in sight!

I actually just enjoy hanging around the track each afternoon, hitting the Dingus, visiting the Iowa Beer Bus, taking a beer up in the stands during the afternoon track prep to relax, and watching the MRN stage show.  After about 5 or 6 beers, then I spend too much money at the souvenier stands.  Also, pay attention to the signs on the souvenier trailers.  They will let you know when drivers will be at their trailers to sign autographs and chat with fans.  

It's hard to not find something to do!  Have fun!

Getting there early to see the teams work on their cars all throughout town is one of my favorite things to do. The Marion County cattleman's association (I'm probably butchering their name) has a tent with great rib eye steak sandwiches and corn on the cob. Lots of tenderloin vendors as you might imagine. 
 

T-shirt vendors galore. Winged Nation broadcasts live under the grandstand before the races start is always fun. Great news for you is you'll have the best time no matter what you do. The nationals is the best. 

For the four days at the Nationals I recommend the following:

 - Arrrive early at the track on 2 days, one qualifying night and the final night. Take in the atmosphere, do the hall of fame, visit the merchandise trailers, race a simulator and taken in one of the live shows.

 - One day at the state fair which is an absolute must do

 - One day at slideways and eating at a local establishment followed by a couple of drinks at Dingus

I always loved the Nationals parade on Saturday morning.   

Roll in to town about 7:45. Listen to time trial in your car and have a beer. Get a cheap ticket out by the front gate just before the first heat rolls out. 

Yea, Cattleman's Assoc. steaks & corn on the cob are excellent

The other food I like at the track is pork tenderloins, like you said & Hawaiian chicken (or is it called Asian?)

Wait a minute, I forgot Perseid Meteor showers!.....they peak during Nationals, drive out in the country where there's no air or light pollution, stretch out on your hood or pickup bed & enjoy Mother Nature's fireworks!

Its convenient when I go, I stay in Des Moines & plenty of cornfields on the easy 35 minute drive....you can see zillions of stars

Lots of great, small shops & businesses on/around the square inluding:

• Peace Tree
• Hometown Meats & Deli
• Atlantic & Pacific Pub
• One Eleven Public House

Farmer's market on Sat morning.

Nearwood Winery just south of town.

All the things mentioned are must do's.  I'd also add go check out the dam at Red Rock (be blown away how high the water was one year when it flooded).  If you're not camping, drive around some campgrounds and see how much fun they have and how they enjoy the Nationals. Try your hand at one of the Iracing trailers. Take lots of random pics. 

I did see they are still having the Shuttles year which make a constant loop from the Track, to the City Park, to WalMart, then to the Square in DownTown Knoxville, Back to the Track, Then to the North Campgrounds and back to the Track... Repeat, Repeat. I believe it runs until about an hour or so after the Racing stops. 

Breakfast at HyVee and chat with other race fans.

Pancake feed at the firehall in Knoxville.  I think this is Saturday morning.

Lunch at Smokey Row in Pella.  Check out the real windmill and the model village nearby.

Small water park in Pella - younger kids will have a great time.

Hang out in Knoxville and take in all the sights - cars, drivers, crew, souvenirs, etc.  Plan on taking a few hours to walk the area, watch some track prep during the day and be willing to chat with other fans.  People are very friendly and love to talk racing.  I met a couple of guys and chatted with them and they invited me up to watch the races from their suite.  Awesome time and I met so many good people.

Lake Red Rock is awesome and I've been camping there for 20+ years.  Great bike/walking trails.

Lots of other good suggestions posted in this thread.

Maybe someone can help me with the name there's a great little pizza place next door to Dingus that has the best thin crust pizza around and a great racing memorabilia to look at          Glen Murra

The hall of fame is a must see 

Corigliano's Pizzeria

Jeff Wesell
Hartford, WI

I forgot to mention Jaarsma Bakery in Pella, great baked goods and pretty cheap. 

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