Why you should attend the NASCAR Championship in 2025

What are NASCAR fans like?

NASCAR fans are like a multi-generational family. You meet people from all walks of life and all corners of the Earth at a NASCAR race. There’s a palpable feeling of community that’s immediately apparent as you walk among the crowds.

After speaking with so many of these fans, here are the three things I think most fans at a NASCAR championship have in common:

A love for racing

It might be the obvious thing, but it must be said that the fans who descend on Phoenix Raceway love NASCAR, or at the very least have an appreciation for racing and racing culture. There were so many fans decked out in vintage NASCAR shirts, and everyone you meet will trade stories of past wins and heartbreaks.

For Gary and Lucinda Murch, 2024 was their fourth trip to the Phoenix Raceway for the championship weekend. They were introduced to NASCAR forty years ago by Americans who overlapped with their New Zealand racing scene (Gary drove sprint cars in NZ for two decades). After years watching Jeff Gordon, they’ve recently become Kyle Larson fans. And of course they support their fellow New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen (SVG).

It’s worth noting that you don’t have to grow up racing or be an expert on NASCAR to have fun. I asked so many questions and people were happy to answer. Just be excited!

An appreciation for tradition

The off-track traditions surrounding the championship weekend are arguably as important as the on-track titles.

Take Nick and his family: there were four generations in attendance!! They turn their plot into a big campsite that’s colloquially been dubbed “The Wreck Yard” because of all the car parts they’ve fashioned into furniture and decorations.

“We’ve been coming [to Phoenix for races] since 1997. It’s a big family tradition that we come out here and have a great time.” - Nick

Then you have Dave “Cowboy” Robertson and his wife Cindy who have been attending NASCAR races for 21 years. Every year they coordinate with friends to turn several adjacent RV plots into a makeshift saloon. They work shifts throughout the weekend to collect donations, with all the money and pop tabs raised being donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

Their event has gained community notoriety such that it’s common to see drivers stop by at night. Jeff Gordon is known to bartend from time to time, and Xfinity driver Sheldon Creed showed up Saturday night while I was there.

An eagerness to share

With camping being such a staple of this weekend - RVs park closer to the gates than most cars can - there’s a culture of hospitality that permeates the grounds.

I met Mike Brown, his mom Malinda, and their family and friends on the hilltop overlooking the start/finish and dogleg. They immediately invited me into their campsite, offering ribs fresh off the grill, cold drinks, and a shaded seat to watch the racing.

The circuit environment always feels relaxed, like you can pull up a chair at any plot and make new friends, even if you’re traveling alone (like I was).

Which teams and drivers can I see at the NASCAR Championship?

The short answer: names from every series are in attendance.

One of the biggest draws of the NASCAR Championship is that it’s actually four championships in one so there is no shortage of racing to watch.

At its heart is the marquee NASCAR Cup Series that sees practice and qualifying sessions over Friday and Saturday, all building up to the traditional Sunday race. There’s a noticeable burst of energy in the garages (NASCAR's equivalent of a paddock area) and grandstands each time the Cup Series teams make their way onto the track. Fans were lined up anywhere there was a chance to grab an autograph or selfie from their favorite driver.

As a bonus to seeing the Cup Series drivers in action, you can also spot high profile celebrities all around the circuit. For example, 23XI team owner Michael Jordan was in attendance as his No. 45 car driver Tyler Reddick fought for the 2024 title. Rapper Nelly performed before the big race, and Former Team USA Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps drove the pace car.

If that isn’t enough for you then you’re in luck, because the championship weekend includes practice, qualifying and race sessions for three other series: NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series West. Cars are on track starting Thursday, and each series brings with it a unique cast of characters and on-track drama.

I personally loved seeing the trucks up close given their stark physical contrast to the cars I typically see at Formula 1 and IndyCar races. There was also the moment Dale Earnhardt Jr. entered the media center in celebration after his JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier became the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.

Regardless of the series, one more bonus for fans (yes, there are a lot of positives!) is that they can all attend the podium celebrations. Phoenix Raceway staff open holes in the fences as soon as the winning driver completes their burnout, and fans can rush onto the track to witness the pyrotechnics and champagne spraying.

What are the best seats at the Phoenix Raceway?

All the on-track action in the world wouldn’t be worth it if you couldn’t see the cars, and the great news is that Phoenix Raceway’s layout and recent renovations make for good views all around. Best of all, getting close to the action in garages or the pit lane won’t break the bank.

Since it comes down to personal preference and budget, let me give you a flavor for the different options.

Grandstands

The latest grandstand building has seats placed alongside turns 3 and 4. This gives spectators a clear line of sight to the action at and just after the start/finish line, and puts nearly everyone in the cover of shade during the afternoon when the sun is beating down on the track.

The oval layout means there really isn’t a bad seat in the house, although I would suggest sitting in a section that has cover from the sun or at least packing sunscreen for the long days. You should also bring ear protection and get the official radio, as the cars are very, very loud and you’ll want to hear play-by-play commentary.

Infield and pit lane

Fans can also choose to purchase access to the infield and pit lane.

The infield was busy every session with different food and drink options, lawn games, esports rigs, merch stalls, and large TVs to follow the action.

Pit lane access grants fans the ability to walk along pit lane as cars are on track. These are an excellent option if you’re like me and fascinated watching teams at work, especially as they conduct pit stops.

One significant benefit of being in the infield area is the ability to go into the Cup Series garages. NASCAR does a great job giving fans access, with special viewing areas in each garage that are completely open to the sights and sounds. Drivers and crew would say hello and even pose for pictures.

Suites

As you’d expect at an American sport, the Phoenix Raceway was built with hospitality suites in the structure above the grandstands. Soaring above the track, these had great views of the track between turns 3 and 4.

Hilltop, RV, and VIP viewing

Wrapping from the dogleg to just before turn 3 are many more viewing options. One big downside is that these are far from the dining and entertainment options found outside the grandstands and within the infield.

The hilltop section between turns 1 and 2 served as a general admission area with dedicated food and beverage. It rises high above the track which means a stunning view. Just be mindful that you’ll be in direct sun all day.

Between the dogleg and turn 1 is The Perch, a VIP hospitality area. These are a mix of corporate and personal lots. The view of the start/finish area was spectacular, and the convenience of the VIP amenities at your fingertips is of course a big plus.

Between turns 2 and 3 are parking spots for RVs adjacent to the catch fencing. Fans were camped out up against the fence all weekend, with each plot sporting its own mix of chairs, lawn games, and catering options.

Where do I stay for the NASCAR Championship?

The Phoenix Raceway is located due West of the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Its proximity to a major metropolitan area means there are a plethora of lodging options to choose from.

Camping at the track

The first thing you notice pulling up to Phoenix Raceway are the rows of RVs running as far back as the eye can see. Speaking with Matt Humphrey, NASCAR’s Senior Director of Track Communications, he explained that fans start lining up as early as 7AM Monday - a full 5 days before a single car hits the track - to get their RV situated and start enjoying the festivities. I was told that come Sunday over 150,000 fans will have descended upon the raceway grounds.

There are several variations, ranging from ‘glamping’ tent rentals to large plots to park your school bus-sized RV. One fan I spoke with mentioned a medium-sized plot cost his group $300 for the whole week.

I went out to the camp grounds several times over the weekend, and it was clear that what makes the camping experience so special is that it bestows an immediate sense of community across the circuit.

Families were out riding bikes or preparing feasts rivaling the biggest NFL tailgates. Friends were sitting by camp fires (yes, it was cold at night) or gathering at makeshift bars to share a drink and play ‘washer toss’ (similar to cornhole). You couldn’t walk more than a few plots without being waved to and invited in to share in the festivities.

It might be the logistics nerd in me, but I was especially excited to see a pop-up Walmart store in the middle of the parking lot. It was stocked full of essentials so people could focus on enjoying their race weekends.

Booking a hotel or Airbnb

While countless fans camp, I opted to stay in a downtown Phoenix hotel. It was a 20-30 minute drive one-way for me depending on traffic, but I would budget more time unless you were at the track first-thing and leaving late at night like I was.

The benefit for me was that I had all the restaurants and bars within walking distance. You could also attend a Phoenix Suns basketball game or soak in other local activities more easily by being in the city.

Groups should consider Airbnbs, as there were many nice neighborhoods within 5-10 minutes of The Phoenix Raceway.

Is the NASCAR Championship worth attending?

Yes, just go!

If it sounds like I loved my first NASCAR race, well, that’s because I did. I went in with no expectations and an open mind, and I left with new friends and a much better appreciation for the series and the fans who show up year after year.

The communal atmosphere and accessibility of the sport also can’t be overstated. As our team has stressed with IndyCar tickets, accessibility in motorsports is a major draw. NASCAR is another example of fan access done right.

I hope that reading this article has you excited to attend NASCAR soon. Whether you’re looking for advice to book the trip or simply want to chat with other motorsports fans, be sure to download FanAmp and join our community. And, keep an eye out for our fan meetups happening at races around the world.