Your Guide to the Top Nascar Races of the Year

Millions of American and international fans head to the race tracks every year for the NASCAR Cup Series. No race in the NASCAR Cup Series is the same. From the legendary Daytona International Speedway, home to the iconic Daytona 500, to the picturesque Sonoma Raceway, each race track has a unique race layout, challenging the drivers in different ways, and is embedded in a community with a culture of its own. 

Watching a race is just part of the NASCAR experience: tailgating with die-hard fans, exploring the stadiums, and participating in pre-race activities all contribute to the immersive atmosphere of race day. Whether you were born watching NASCAR and bottle-fed motor oil, or it’s your first experience in the world of stock car racing, here are the 10 best NASCAR Cup Series Races to see this year. 

1. Daytona 500

Super fan or not, you’ve probably heard of the Daytona 500. One thing to know: it lives up to the hype. 200 laps of drama and tension around the steep 2.5 mile track. The Daytona 500 may just be the most iconic event of the NASCAR season, bringing in race fans from all over the country to the Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Known as "The Great American Race," the Daytona 500, born over 60 years ago in 1959, transports you back in motorsport history.

The race’s setting in Daytona Beach provides an electric race-day environment. The city comes alive unlike any other time in the year, where young and old alike fill the streets and take advantage of countless food vendors, games, and other events. It’s a good thing the speedway boasts the ability to accommodate hundreds of thousands of spectators, making it one of the world's largest sports stadiums.  

Where to Stay: A quick 20 minute drive from the track, Coral Sands Inn and RV Park is the best of the best when it comes to Daytona Beach lodging. With abundant accommodation options from spacious full hookup RV sites to luxury seaside cottages, it doesn’t get any better than this.

2. Coca-Cola 600

An endurance test unlike any other the drivers face throughout the season, the Coca-Cola 600 is unpredictable and dramatic. Hosted at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, this is the longest race of the series at 600 miles – a hundred miles longer than any other race in the Cup Series. The race can take over four hours and four-hundred laps around the high-banked race track to finish, filling the grandstands with suspense well into a night. But don’t lose focus: the Coca-Cola 600 is known for last minute overtakes and dramatic finishes. There’s no race in the series quite like it. 

Where to stay: Right next door, Camping World Racing Resort is a 10 minute walk from the Speedway and provides over 400 full hookup sites for NASCAR fans to enjoy.

3. Bristol Motor Speedway “Night Race”

If you’re looking for a quick, action packed race, the Bristol Motor Speedway “Night Race” is the event for you.  Clocking in at just over 260 miles, less than half the distance of the Coca-Cola 600, the Night Race is one of the fastest, most intense races in the Cup Series. And unlike the monstrous 2.5 mile track in Daytona, drivers at the Bristol Motor Speedway battle around just 0.5 miles of track. 

Tucked away in the hills of Bristol, Tennessee, this quick race with massive 48-degree turns never fails to fill the grandstands. Iconic moments in NASCAR history have unfolded on this half-mile oval, including Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s unforgettable last-lap overtaking in 1987 and the controversial bump-and-run by Carl Edwards for a win in 2008. And unlike many races in the series, the “Night Race” is full of dangerous passes and full contact driving.

Where to Stay: Just 6 minutes down the road, Lakeview RV Resort awaits with plenty of spacious full hookup RV sites, cabin rentals, and beautiful Appalachian views.

4. Watkins Glen International

NASCAR isn’t just a Southern Tradition. Up in the Finger Lakes of New York you’ll find the Watkins Glen International, a scenic road course unique to the NASCAR circuit. And things are certainly a bit different up North… unlike the teeth-grinding endurance of the Coca-Cola 600, or the cutthroat quick laps in Bristol, Watkins Glen challenges drivers (and thrills spectators) with tight hairpin turns and rapid elevation shifts that require a whole new set of skills and adaptations from the best drivers in the world. That’s right: not just left turns…

Some of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history happen in Watkins Glen, like Marcos Ambrose's heartfelt triumph in 2008, leading the way for foreign drivers in NASCAR, Kyle Busch's unmatched series of victories over seven seasons, and Kevin Harvick's gripping last-lap maneuver to snag a win in 2020.

Where to Stay: An hour’s drive along Seneca Lake will land you at the charming Junius Ponds Cabins & Campground. With plenty of spacious full hookup RV sites to choose from, an onsite pool, and beautiful scenery throughout the campsite, there’s nothing to complain about with this one. The drive may seem daunting, but the route sticks close to the famed Finger Lake and offers stunning views throughout.

5. Darlington Raceway Southern 500

“The Lady in Black,” the Darlington Raceway Southern 500, takes us to South Carolina, deep in traditional NASCAR territory. One of the toughest surfaces in the Circuit, Darlington Raceway requires 500 miles of intense focus and skill. Due to the unique track shape and texture each lap is different and drivers need to adapt constantly to keep their lines.

This isn’t just a race, it’s a kind of sacred site of NASCAR and American motorsports. The grandstands are packed with generational die-hard fans, and the food and fanfare in and around the stadium are unmatched. The Darlington Raceway is saturated with the history of stock car legends, like Bobby Allison, whose underdog victory in 1979 is the stuff of legends, and Dale Earnhardt Sr., whose seven triumphs at Darlington solidified his reputation in the sport. 

Where to Stay: 50 miles south of the track, just outside Kingston, Nowhere Campground and RV Park offers campsites equipped with full hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings.

6. Sonoma Raceway Bank of the West 300

NASCAR isn’t limited to the East either: the Sonoma Raceway Bank of the West 300, located smack dab in California wine country is another challenging, electric road course on the Circuit. 

Known for its tricky turns, elevation changes, and blind corners, the Bank of the West 300 is also remembered for its unmatched beauty. Sonoma Raceway blends together the fried-food and flags of the classic NASCAR culture with the relaxing and picturesque aesthetic of the Sonoma California region, full of live music, gourmet food options, and local wine tastings. 

While the Bank of the West 300 may be a bit far from the heart of American NASCAR, it’s not without its distinct history. Fans of the sport can’t forget Jeff Gordon's maiden road course victory in 1998, Tony Stewart's remarkable last-lap pass in 2005, or Kyle Busch's impressive streak of four consecutive wins from 2017 to 2020. 

Where to Stay: Snug Harbor RV Park and Marina is just a quick drive from the track, and this family and pet-friendly campground comes equipped with plenty of full hookup RV sites, including several riverfront spots, and a host of on-site amenities.

7. Martinsville Speedway Martinsville 500

Martinsville Speedway is another iconic NASCAR short track located in Virginia. Its 0.526-mile oval track, shaped like a paperclip, is a spectator-favorite with constant action visible from every seat, due to its tight turns and short straits. Full of side-by-side battles and last minute over-takes, the Martinsville 500 is another adrenaline-fueled half-mile battle.

The Martinsville 500 combines some of the new-age techniques of Sonoma and Watkins Glen, but stays true to the original virtues of pure NASCAR racing: control and precision. 

It’s always a hoot when the winner receives the "Martinsville Moonshine Jug," commemorating the local heritage of the area.

Where to Stay:18 minutes from the track, Lake Sugar Tree offers a welcoming campground with plenty of spacious full hookup sites as well as a whole on-site motocross track.

8. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Brickyard Grand Prix

The Brickyard Grand Prix, located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, is a unique venue in NASCAR racing. Somehow combining both high-speed straights and tight, technically demanding turns, this 2.5 mile road course features the most turns among any of the NASCAR Cup Series tracks. 

The Brickyard Grand Prix stays true to the legendary history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while still living on the new edge of NASCAR's development. Fans are treated to accessible views of the circuit, including opportunities to witness pit stops and overtakes up close, making for an engaging spectator experience.

Where to Stay: Knightridge Campground in Bloomington provides several full hookup RV sites, cabin rentals, and plenty of on-site amenities.

9. Xfinity Series Dash for Cash at Daytona

100 laps for $100,000. There’s nothing like it in all of NASCAR. Rising stars in the sport dog it out under the floodlights for this massive cash prize, and it’s all over before you know it. But don’t let the length fool you.. the Xfinity Series Dash for Cash at Daytona is known for an aggressive style and unreal amount of bold moves throughout, often leading to more wrecks than its longer counterparts. 

As you might imagine, the energy in Daytona during the Dash for Cash is at a fever-pitch. With less time for a long, safe strategy, racers take big risks for huge rewards. The whole race flips on its head with just one move – and whoever finds a way is rewarded with a gigantic check—symbolizing the fortune and fame of conquering Daytona.

The Xfinity Series Dash for Cash at Daytona offers young drivers to make a name for themselves. Want to see it for yourself? Check out Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s powerhouse victory in 2001, Kyle Busch's unmatched trio of consecutive wins from 2008 to 2010, or Austin Cindric's heart-stopping last-lap triumph in 2022. 

Where to Stay: A quick 20 minute drive from the track, Coral Sands Inn and RV Park is a great option for Daytona Beach lodging, offering everything from spacious full hookup RV sites to luxury seaside cottages.

10. NASCAR All-Star Race

The name says it all: the best drivers in NASCAR duking it out to settle once and for all who’s the best in the game. Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott are just a few of the names that you might see this year.

And the course is designed to challenge these all-stars. Full of twists and strategic pit-stop challenges, the NASCAR All-Star Race incentivizes bold maneuvers. 

But drivers don't just race for the glory; they also race for a cause, each representing a charity that profits from their on-track success. Innovation is also prioritized. New technologies and strategies are on display every year, showing off NASCAR’s cutting edge developments.

The All-Star Race is a sort of pilgrimage for any NASCAR enthusiast looking to experience the heart of American motorsports. This series race epitomizes the thrill of auto racing, and whether it’s your first race, or you were born dreaming of NASCAR tracks, don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Where to Stay: This race moves locations each year, but in 2024, the race will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Roaring River Vineyards is just 20 miles up the road, offering 10 RV campsites with full hookups and lots of opportunity for fine wine tasting on-site.

Ready to book your homebase for all your Nascar adventures? Spot2Nite offers an easy-to-use booking platform that allows you to explore RV parks across the U.S. Learn more today!