Best NASCAR Venue 2025

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Best NASCAR Cup Series Venue

By Fans' Choice On 5/28/25 at 12:00 PM EDT

Real NASCAR fans know that racing is more than driving in circles; it's a battle of speed, handling and endurance. They also know there's no better way to see these titans of the track clash than live on race day. Aside from high-octane thrills on the pavement, each venue offers something unique for fans to enjoy: from on-site museums with exhibits of legendary cars to famously humble hot dogs. Our top NASCAR Cup Series venues keep fans entertained until the checkered flag falls.

These 10 NASCAR Cup Series venues were selected by our featured panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

1. Atlanta Motor Speedway | Hampton, GA

Atlanta Motor Speedway

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With newly increased turn angles and a narrower track, Atlanta Motor Speedway now provides the superspeedway draft-style race NASCAR fans have come to love. There's also plenty of excitement in the Fan Zone before drivers take the quad-oval, including concerts, autograph signings and even occasional sea lion shows. Want to get closer to the action? Take advantage of the track's impressive on-site camping facilities.

2. Kansas Speedway | Kansas City, KS

Kansas Speedway

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Surrounded by popular shopping and entertainment venues (including a casino), Kansas Speedway feels more like a destination than a racetrack. Fans can cheer their favorite drivers from the grandstands around the 1.5-mile tri-oval or from the Highline District: a paved fan zone with yard games, live music and exclusive drink offerings. Infield RV camping and outside campsites are also available.

3. Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona International Speedway

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Each season, drivers gather at Daytona for the first race where they can earn points. The 2.5-mile tri-oval course is one of just three officially recognized superspeedways on the circuit. It features some of the sport's highest banked turns, meaning higher speeds and better views for spectators. Fans appreciate the grandstands' wide seats and the concession stands spread throughout the three concourse levels.

4. Talladega Superspeedway | Talladega, AL

Talladega Superspeedway

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With the longest track length and the highest-banked turns, Talladega puts the "super" in superspeedway. This enormous tri-oval features a wide raceway, setting the stage for dramatic passes and photo finishes. Fans rave about the tailgating and community found in the extensive infield and outside campsites. Premium experiences are also available, including pre-race driver meet-ups and Victory Lane admission.

5. Darlington Raceway | Darlington, SC

Darlington Raceway 2

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Called "The Track Too Tough to Tame" and "The Lady in Black," Darlington Raceway challenges even the most seasoned drivers. The asymmetrical layout creates two distinctive sets of turn radiuses, and the racing line puts drivers directly next to the track's outside walls, setting the stage for exhilarating tests of speed and endurance. The venue is also home to the Darlington Raceway Hall of Winners museum.

6. Bristol Motor Speedway | Bristol, TN

Bristol Motor Speedway

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Get ready to feel the noise at Bristol Motor Speedway! Cars constantly zoom by due to the track's small size, and the tall arena-style seating enhances the sound of fans' cheers while giving them a bird's-eye view of the action. And the action is in no short supply—Bristol is known for its intense close racing and exciting crashes. This high-banked short track has earned its nickname as the Last Great Colosseum.

7. Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, NC

Charlotte Motor Speedway

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Charlotte Motor Speedway's traditional quad-oval layout allows drivers to reach speeds in the 180s, making it one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. Once a year, the track is reconfigured into "The Roval," which adds nearly a mile and 13 new turns to the course. Families love the infield camping options and Turn 4 Sun Deck: a pavilion with food, games and a Ferris wheel.

8. Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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The Brickyard isn't just a favorite among NASCAR fans; racing enthusiasts from around the world flock to this historic venue for Indy car, IMSA, SVRA and other races year-round. And with more than 250,000 permanent seats, it has the highest capacity of any venue on the circuit. When fans aren't watching the action on the perfectly symmetrical oval track, they can visit the on-site museum.

9. Dover Motor Speedway | Dover, DE

Dover Motor Speedway

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At exactly 1 mile long, Dover's Monster Mile combines the best elements of short and intermediate tracks. The course's 24-degree banked turns and concrete surface make for a true test of driver handling and vehicle performance. In addition to heart-pounding races, fans love the venue's 46-foot-tall monster statue (cleverly named "Miles") and its location within Bally's Dover Casino Resort.

10. Texas Motor Speedway | Fort Worth, TX

Texas Motor Speedway

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Between racing pigs, '90s country music cover bands, lucha libre matches and free-roaming dancing robots, there's truly something for everyone to enjoy at Texas Motor Speedway. And that's just the action in the Fan Zone! On the track, spectators can expect thrilling showdowns around high-banked turns, all visible on Big Hoss: the world's largest LED TV. RV camping and tailgating inside the quad-oval is also popular.

About Newsweek Fans' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of journalists and sports fans. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at fanschoice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Cherith Fluker Gray-headshot-Newsweek Fans Choice

Cherith Fluker

Cherith Glover Fluker is an Alabama-based freelance writer. She specializes in travel, self-care, and lifestyle content. With a blend of experience, creativity, and Southern warmth, Cherith's writing resonates with readers seeking inspiration and authenticity. Her work has appeared in Food, Wine, & Travel Magazine, SheBuysTravel, LakeLife 24/7, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Motherly and more. She also shares her voice on her blog www.WhatCherithinks.com. Cherith grew up in a sports-loving family and continues to find joy in catching games and events at fun venues. She's especially drawn to how local sports culture reflects a city's identity, energy, and untold stories.

Melissa Garcia

Daniel and Melissa Garcia are the husband-and-wife team behind RoamingMyPlanet, a travel blog inspiring everyday people to explore the world. From luxury resorts to RV adventures, cruises to national parks, they share real-life travel tips, hidden gems, and experiences. Their work is syndicated to MSN and featured in USA Today's 10Best and Newsweek's Consumer Choice Awards. With over two decades as content creators, they blend storytelling and video to bring destinations to life. A lifelong NASCAR and Tony Stewart fan, Daniel has passed his love of the sport on to Melissa. For more on the Garcia's adventures visit www.RoamingMyPlanet.com.

Sarah Gilliland-headshot-Newsweek Fans Choice

Sarah Gilliland

Sarah Gilliland is a freelance writer with decades of experience in the theme park and family travel sectors. Her work has appeared on Business Insider, YahooLife, Condé Nast Traveller, Thrillist, and MSN. Sarah has written a travel book about her home state titled "Perfect Day Alabama," which was published in late 2024. She lives in the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama with her husband and three kids. Sarah is an avid fan of college football, basketball, and softball, especially if the games involve her alma mater, Auburn University. For more on her adventures, visit www.ontheroadwithsarah.com.

Terri Guthrie

Terri Guthrie is a travel journalist based in Dallas, Texas. Her syndicated work appears in numerous publications across Texas, North America, and beyond. She has visited 60+ countries across six continents. Terri's writing, podcasts, and photography focus on luxury and multi-generational travel. Terri and her husband, a retired fighter pilot, share "a need for speed" and are passionate about NASCAR, Indy Car, Formula One, Sprint Car Top Fuel, and Road Racing. She's even been known to serve on a pit crew or two. Find more from Terri at www.travelwithterri.podbean.com or on Instagram at @travelwithterri

Susan Lanier-Graham

Susan Lanier-Graham is the founder and publisher of WanderWithWonder.com and an accomplished storyteller, journalist and creative strategist. With more than 75 published books and hundreds of articles to her name, she crafts content that informs, inspires and connects with readers through authenticity and purpose. Susan's sports journey began on horseback and grew to include a passion for horse racing, basketball, soccer and motorsports. She played basketball in junior high and high school and remains a devoted fan. She's also drawn to the global energy of soccer fans and is an avid NASCAR enthusiast, having taken hot laps at top tracks across the country.

Karon Warren

The daughter of a drag racer, Karon Warren was born with a need for speed. She routinely visits NASCAR tracks and NHRA dragways around the country to see her favorite racers in action. When she's not watching racing, she writes for a variety of outlets, including USA Today's 10Best, U.S. News & World Report, AAA, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She also is the author of "100 Things to Do in the North Georgia Mountains Before You Die." For more on Karon and her travels, check out www.thisgirltravels.com.