I love to sit at the finish line yet I'm amazed how many tracks don't have stands there. Is this an NHRA safety thing or am I missing something?

I usually take a trip to Joliet's finish line during qualifying but never during a race... to much action at the starting line to miss

The finish line is the place to be in the "Super" classes though!

I miss finish line bleachers too.

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Click here to see what a drag race SHOULD look like!

Norwalk has them just past the finish line... very cool...

Does Heartland Park Topeka still have them at the finish line? They used to have some old wooden stands if I remember right on the Pit side that we used to sit in. Probably sat no more than 100-200 people. How's my memory?

To me, the best seats out of all the tracks I've been too are the finish line seats at Dallas. Right at the finish line on the pit side and its open seating.

Those are supposed to be reserved for the Sportsman racers. Problem being, by the time the Sportsman racers get over there the stands are full of spectators. There is no enforcement and the Sportsman racers have no place to spectate from because all the pit side seating is reserved.

You are right about that Greg.
Also like Tommy said, it is the best place to watch Sportsman racers, especially great finish line racers like Biondo, Fletcher, Richardsons, Rampy, etc.

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Stock4405
Superstock4342

I always thought the best place to be during the "super" classes was at the beer stand?

Yes I love watching as close to the finish line as I can get. It's much quieter, you get a real feel for the speed, and it's a bit surreal to hear the noise from the start line and seeing the tree and seeing them come towards you. I USED to be able to park my chair at the finish line at our track here last year, but they've fenced it all off now...

Back in the old days I remember standing at the fence (2 feet of Armco) and being trackside as the TF's and FC's zoomed by... Wow, those were the days.

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“One day when I was walking through the pits,” Millican said, “Evan said he wanted to talk to me. ‘Do you know how many millions (of dollars) I’ve spent to beat you?’ he said. ‘Since I couldn’t beat you, I’m going to own you.’ "

A bit to close for comfort, but a nice view I can imagine... It would just take one flying part or a mild crash to end your day though...

CJ Curtsinger

That explains why the line is so long.

when i've already walked a mile to, around and back from the pits
where i had my fill of nitro and decibels, then return to my camper
where the finish line stands are a few steps away, they are a very
welcome relief; especially when it's over 90 degrees.
i also enjoy the 'light faster than sound' effect.

The top end at ETown is a great place to watch a race.

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I'll co sign that!