I thought I knew what to expect from NASCAR. And then I went to the Coca-Cola 600.

Panorama shot from the 2026 Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway

As a first-timer, I prepared for noise, crowds and people watching. What I found at the Charlotte Motor Speedway was something much more compelling - genuine warmth, welcome and community.

“You cannot wear that,” I said to my husband, who was wearing khaki colored pants, a needlepoint belt and a golf shirt printed with tiny, highly stylized racecars. To go to a NASCAR race. “You look like you’re going to the golf course.”

“I wouldn’t wear this shirt to the golf course,” he argued.

I settled on jeans, a t-shirt and a cooler bag.

“If you can wear that, I can wear my khaki skirt and tank top.” We’d been arguing about the appropriateness of my wearing a tea-length skirt I bought in France to the race track. I thought it was imminently practical. He thought it was insane. He changed into a t-shirt. I wore ripped jeans. 

And when we both got to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, we saw that he could have worn his race car golf shirt, and I could have worn my khaki skirt, and we would have fit right in. Just like we fit right in with t-shirts and baseball caps.

I watched the staff photographers taking photos during the race, and they focused on the folks who were standing up, screaming, waving their hats at the track. I would too – so much more interesting than the majority of us who sat in our seats, eating, drinking, listening to the feeds from the racing teams in our ear muffs and collecting our trash so it didn’t blow all over.

But what I’d seen of NASCAR, I’d only seen from staff photographers and streaming. Turns out that’s nowhere near the whole story.

Parking, Brad Paisley and Pit Passes

Fans catching Brad Paisley from the infield at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Getting there was chaos. No real signage for where to go for parking, but the periodic attendants were helpful, and we made it. Getting into the track was quick and easy, even with all the coolers and backpacks. And let’s talk about that. How amazingly family friendly it is that you can bring all the food and drinks you can carry. (In fact, next time, we’ll bring food. We brought some snacks but the only disappointment in our day (and even that word is too strong!) were the $16 sloppy joes sold as pulled pork.)

My parents gifted us track passes and amazing seats, so we headed right down onto the infield to catch Brad Paisley live. We don’t know many Brad Paisley songs, but we happily stood there surrounded by thousands, drinking beer and listening to live music. You’d think it’d be a sloppy mess, but people kept their shit together. Vibe was easy going. Happy. Welcoming.

We headed into the pits (assuming ALL my terminology is wrong) to check out where the cars were serviced and got to see some up close. That was cool. And then we headed back to the infield for Memorial Day speakers and a military choir and fly-overs and service people parachuting right down next to us.

Southern hospitality and sensory overload at the Coca-Cola 600

In our seats, my seatmate was delighted this was my first race and walked me through it. Every time I clambered over my seat to hit the bathroom or buy food, he held it down for me so I would be safe. It is the kind of chivalry you find in Southern men. Quiet care that is as Southern as deviled eggs and sweet tea.

Tributes to Kyle Busch included a pre-race ceremony and the fans all holding up 8 fingers during the eighth lap of the race.

My husband noted how unusual it was that, once the race began and the headphones were on, you were kind of in your own world. Listening, feeling, in a bit of a bubble, surrounded by people. And the feeling. Wow. The wind from the helicopter flyovers, the deep rumbling bass in your chest from the cars flying by. Even the colors looked brighter.

We left a little early – rain was coming – and caught the end at home, and it was notable how much flatter everything looked. Colors were washed out, and you didn’t get the energy of being there in person. The first three stages flew, and my favorite parts were after caution laps when the drivers all took off again. Inches apart. It was incredible.

It was also incredible how little of the communal aspect of this sport we see. The crowd was more diverse than I expected. And while those who stand and yell at the drivers also occasionally flick them off, there was none of that directed at fellow fans. The worst trash talker I saw was an elderly lady who sat in a lawn chair outside the entrance and heckled people based on the drivers on their t-shirts. It was all in good fun, though, and the heckled took it that way.

Bathrooms were surprisingly clean, and while you’ll find aisles and under seats absolutely trashed at a baseball game, people really seemed to keep their stuff to themselves, gathering up their trash and throwing their cans in recycling bins.

I went in with an idea that if I didn’t look like my ill-informed idea of a NASCAR fan that people would be unkind. They didn’t care what I looked like. We were there – together – to watch the race, to honor Gold Star parents, to remember our fallen servicemembers, to embrace Kyle Busch’s wife and kids.

If you were there for people watching, you were missing the best part – unless you were watching how 150,000 people can still get together, even with beer and hot sun over a whole day, and enjoy it. Together.

What to Bring to the Coca-Cola 600: A First-Time NASCAR Fan’s Packing List

Drone show at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600

Essentials

• Phone

• ID

• Credit/debit card (+ a little cash backup)

• Portable charger + charging cable (THIS CAME IN HANDY!)

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Sunglasses

• Hat

• Sunscreen

Hearing Setup

• AirPods (Test your AirPods with your earmuffs - mine felt loose, so I ended up not using them.)

• NASCAR Mobile app downloaded/logged in beforehand (We never got the hang of the app. Download well before!)

• Over-ear hearing protection earmuffs

• Backup foam earplugs (Very important!)

Cooler Setup

Small soft-sided cooler or cooler backpack (Check NASCAR for acceptable bag dimensions.)

Pack:

• 2–3 frozen water bottles

• Electrolyte drink(s) or beer (no glass bottles)

• Snacks:

  • granola bars

  • trail mix

  • chips

  • sandwich/wrap

  • fruit

The frozen water bottles double as:

• ice packs early

• cold drinking water later

Comfort / Survival Items

• Small towel or cooling towel

• Lightweight layer or sweatshirt for after sunset

• Seat cushion if you have room

• Hand sanitizer

• Tissues/napkins

Optional but Smart

• Lip balm

• Mini pack of wipes (Came in VERY handy after messy BBQ!)

• Ibuprofen/Tylenol

• Ziploc bag if rain pops up

• Poncho if forecast looks questionable

What to Wear

Think:

• breathable clothes

• lightweight fabrics

• nothing precious

You’ll likely be:

• hot

• sweaty

• walking a lot

Sneakers > fashion choices here.

Race-Day Strategy

Aim to arrive:

• ideally around noon–1 PM (We arrived in the parking lot by 2:30, which meant the concert was already underway by the time we got in. I wouldn’t wait any later than this if you have pit passes.)

• parked by ~1:30–2 PM latest

This gives you time for:

• vendors/merch

• track pass access

• prerace festivities

• finding your seats without stress