We arrived at 8:30 a.m. on a Friday, and the track was already abuzz with movement. The skies were clear, and the sun was shining, but it was only 58°. I recall my uncle mentioning that if it's hot, the car will run slower. We could smell the food the vendors prepared for the day's crowd. Suddenly, the roar of the engines came to life, and the wife heard the announcer say, "Welcome to the Gaternationals; it is a gorgeous day for racing." The drag racers rolled to the staging lanes with their dragsters doing burnouts. They carefully pulled into the pre-stage beams. Finally, there was the first yellow, the second yellow, and the third yellow, and then it was full throttle down the track. We watched reigning Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown produce a 3.685-seconds at 334.24 mph run in his 11K horsepower Matco Tools dragster. Also, Jack Beckman took the top qualifier in a Funny Car with 3.832 seconds at 334.65 mph in his 11K horsepower PEAK Chevy Camaro SS. Most importantly, every ticket is a pit pass for those who have never been to an NRHA event, meaning you can watch the crews prepare and adjust their dragsters. I noticed that we were lucky to sit in the stands without being surrounded by cigarette smokers. We've had a problem with several venues in the past overlooking smokers. The restrooms were well-maintained, the food vendors were ample, and currently, the venue allowed coolers at a max of 14" x 14" x 14". We took our seat cushions, but they can't be bigger than 18" x 10". However, alcohol, dope, and glass containers were not allowed. While we were there enjoying the event, I looked back at 2024 as a very challenging year since I lost my uncle to cancer, and being at an NHRA keeps his memory fresh for us. read more

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My husband and I are from the Midwest and have traveled to nine NHRA tracks across the country. Unfortunately, the experience at Gainesville Raceway was the most disappointing of all the events we have attended. From the two hours it took to get into the track to the poor organization around the grandstands, the overall experience was extremely frustrating. While the email notifying attendees that traffic would be heavy was appreciated, it would have been much more helpful to give specific guidance--such as recommending that fans leave two hours before the time they hoped to arrive. There were also challenges with grandstand access. Each time fans went up the steps to their seats, they were required to show their tickets. At the B/C steps, for example, a staff member would not allow a teenager to return to his seat to rejoin his parents and instead made him step aside and call them. A simple hand-stamp system would have made re-entry far easier and avoided these situations. Additionally, during the Sunday finals a storm moved in that was clearly visible on radar. Despite the approaching weather, there was no announcement advising fans to leave the grandstands. Crowds were left sitting through a heavy downpour with significant lightning. From a safety standpoint--especially with so many people in the stands--this felt like very poor planning. NHRA events are always a great time, and we have had wonderful experiences at many other tracks across the country. Unfortunately, this particular venue did not live up to those standards, and based on our experience, we would recommend attending an NHRA event at a different track. read more

Parking for handicap is not good mass clusster No organization For the amount of we paid should have people to take care of parking lot read more

Came to Gainesville Raceway for T&T on Wednesday night. Got in a little late but Corey and staff still allowed me to make 3 passes. They were patient and I appreciate that especially since I be busy a lot to make the events on the weekends. We need more weekday T&T's though... help a brother out! Follow my race page "5 Friends 1 Family Racing" on all social media especially YouTube! read more

Gainesville Raceway - Testing - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Attended the Gator Nationals here the past couple years and had a great time! This event takes place mid March each year so the weather is almost always beautiful! I imagine it could get pretty hot as the weather warms up. These folks know how to entertain. The race events are exciting and there are plenty of vendors all around who are willing to empty your wallet for a water $4.00 or beer $8! I suppose it's the same at all top attractions but that's the only disappointing aspect. They really don't need to price everything so high. Many people tail gate in the parking lot. I hope to go back many more times in the future. There is simply nothing like the smell of racing fuel and the vibrations from the motors that rattle your ribs (and eardrums!) read more

Gainesville Raceway - View from section D, row 14. Very good seats! - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

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Great racing facilities and staff. Racing Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Look at GainesvilleRaceway.com read more

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calling to find out if racing is going on for sat & sun ??? nobody will answer the phone .....or are thurs,fri,sat,sun cancelled ????? read more

This Speedway is located in the outskirts of Gainesville so there is enough room for events. We happened to attend the Grand Drift Event and was pleased with the raceway. There are plenty of restrooms with enough stalls which is crucial for women. They are clean and stocked with soap and paper. The concessions stand is reasonably priced. Each event determines it's own costs for entrance fees. read more

Gainesville Raceway - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

I think it is so cool that we have a local race track! I grew up in Daytona Beach, so I grew up around Nascar and have many happy memories of the races with my dad and brother. This track is much smaller than what I am used to, but it is well maintained and very nice. I can't wait to go back for a future race! The race track is also not far out of town, but its far enough that it feels like you get to escape from Gainesville for a little bit out in the country. read more

I just finished up the Fran Hawley Drag Racing school. I did 3 runs and I loved every run. I didn't learn too much about the facility since we were the only people there. The track is super smooth though. read more

Went for a midnight madness street war event, for only $10 entry it was a great way to spend a Friday night with my brother in law. It took a while to get started, perhaps about 730-800 but from there it was constant racing. Pretty fast 10 second cars with quite a few 12 second cars were there to keep our attention. Bring cash to get in, and bring your bank to pay for the $5 drinks and $4 hot dogs. At Least they were nice and very professional. read more

Gainesville Raceway - Great looking place - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Gainesville, Florida

Well I came out to see the 50th annual gatornationals. Seems like a good idea to come see anyting that is the 50th annual. I did bring out some real nice hot rods in the display area that were from the era of 50 years ago. It's quite a rarity to see these things and know that they even still exist, as they are all museum pieces. Now the race itself brought in all the big names from all over the country in all the professional categories and in the amateur categories as well. The qualifying was excellent and many track records, and best of all times we're set. Stands are easy to get in and out of to get back to food and drink and for many that meant lot of beer. The parking is real interesting. They must have a hundred acres of parking, and they spread it out, I mean they really spread it out. I know that I had to walk over a half a mile to get from my car back up to where the entrance to the track was. I was at the back of the back of the back. They Park these cars far apart and there's plenty of room to go drifting in between the lines of parked cars. Everybody doesn't seem to mine they just kind of start walking, and there are some little shuttles but they're few and far between so you just walk on in. I was in the top Eliminator Club so that meant they gave us a lunch and breakfast and lunch and it was all very nice simple cafeteria type food but done well and it was a help yourself so everybody got enough. All in all it's a nice Raceway I was happy with the people, I got to see the people I wanted to see, and I got to see some real fast go get um racing. Come early Park close and then you can get back and forth to your car easily if you need to. read more

Don't bother going here for any drift events. They were very unorganized. They were about an hour late just getting the track set up. Plus, they were a bit rude to the spectators. As the day progressed, it seemed as if they changed the rules for who could do ride-alongs in a apparent attempt to maximize revenue at the expense of dissatisfied customers. C'mon guys, how can you dictate who rides in the drivers cars beyond the normal safety protocol. No other drift track does this....your just milking it! I definitely will not be going back there for ANY events! read more