There’s no question that Colorado is one of the most scenic states in the United States. Its landscapes are breathtaking, and the air is clean. There are also numerous attractions, ranging from amazing golf courses to historic sites, that provide visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the area’s rich history.
Among these historic sites is the National Speedway. Located in Aurora, Colorado, this premier facility has been serving the needs of motorsport enthusiasts for more than 80 years. Today, the National Speedway is still one of the finest sports complexes in existence, and it’s not hard to see why.
Since the inception of the National Speedway, racing has been a huge part of the state’s cultural landscape. The first race held on the grounds was a motorcycle race in 1939, and every year since then the facility has hosted various motorsport events, including car, truck, and even a few sea food themed races (because why not).
In the 2019 season, the National Speedway will once again play host to diverse motorsport activities, including a World Championship in Formula One racing. The season kicks off with the AAA Colorado 400 on March 4th, and runs through October.
The question is, will you be able to get a ticket to any of these events? More importantly, will you be able to get a seat? It seems that the National Speedway has changed its policies concerning ticket scalping, and it has now implemented a policy of no ticket re-sale. That means that no matter where you find yourself in the world, whether it’s Denver, San Francisco, or another city, you will not be able to purchase a ticket to any of the National Speedway events. This also means that the majority of the tickets will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis, with some areas possibly going on-sale even earlier than others.
What Is The National Speedway?
Located 14 miles east of Denver International Airport, the National Speedway is actually a combination of two different facilities; the main track and the auxiliary track. The main track is a 1.9-mile concrete oval that was previously the location of the NHL St. Patrick’s Day game. The auxiliary track is a 0.7-mile clay oval that was once the site of aviation training during World War II.
The two tracks are connected by a connecting drive-way, and it’s here where most of the action takes place. What started as a humble combination of an old military airfield and a small municipal airport has grown into one of the premier sports and concert venues in North America. As mentioned before, the facility has been around for more than 80 years, and it’s not hard to see why.
The track is actually owned by International Speedway Corporation, and it’s been a source of income for the organization ever since its inception. In fact, in 1939, the track carried out a land swap with International Speedway Corporation, in which the original land owners got a discount on their property taxes. Over the years, the track has been upgraded and expanded numerous times, and it now boasts an all-weather surface and over 40,000 permanent seats.
As the name would suggest, the track is primarily used for motorsport activities, such as automobile, truck, and motorcycle races. In fact, the only other venues that come close in terms of size and capacity are Daytona International Speedway (2.95 miles) and Talladega Superspeedway (3.3 miles). However, even these other venues don’t hold a candle to the National Speedway when it comes to sheer numbers of seats and events held each year.
Along with motor racing, the National Speedway also hosts various concerts and sports gatherings, including the Daytona Cubs (Class A Minor League Baseball team) and the Colorado Avalanche (NHL Team). In fact, the auxiliary track has been the site of concerts by some of the biggest names in music, from Elton John to B.o.B. Even Usher and Beyoncé performed here, and it’s not hard to see why.
Can I Get A Ticket To A Concert Or A Sports Event?
If you’re curious as to whether or not you’ll be able to buy a ticket to a concert or a sports event at the National Speedway, you’ll have to search online without any success. At this point in time, it seems that buying tickets to even the most popular events is nearly impossible. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you’re a fan of the Colorado Avalanche or the Colorado Rockies (Major League Baseball team), you’ll be able to purchase tickets for their home games at the National Speedway, as long as they are not on the road. This is also true for the Daytona Cubs, as long as they are not on the road, too. Keep in mind that the majority of the tickets will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis, so you might have to get there early if you want to secure one.
What About Season Tickets?
If you’re a regular at the National Speedway and you’re wondering whether or not you’ll be able to obtain a season ticket this year, the answer is yes. Although it seems that season tickets have become unpopular in light of the new rules implemented concerning ticket re-sale, it is still available for purchase. At least, it was until recently. According to a tweet from the track’s official Twitter account, the policy of no ticket re-sale has now been put on hold, while they try and find a solution before the end of the season.
The question is, will this solution involve renewing season ticket holders for another year, or will it mean that the season will end earlier than expected? We’ll have to wait and see.
Will The New Ticketing Policy Influence My Choices For This Year’s Concert And Sports Events?
It’s been a rough couple of months for concert and sports fans alike, what with the pandemic and all. Naturally, with fewer people going to the shows and fewer people watching the events, the demand for tickets has plummeted. As a result, some venues have cancelled future shows and events, while others had to move them to smaller locations or keep the dates as open-air concerts. The National Speedway could certainly be considered among the latter group, which is why this year’s shows and events are being held in outdoor stadiums, and why many concerts have turned into impromptu open-air performances.
However, even with fewer people wanting to go and more people being forced to stay indoors, the demand for music and sports still exist. As a result, some venues have adjusted their policies towards ticket re-sale, and have decided to give it a try. Chances are, if you’re a fan of popular music or sports, you’ll be able to find a show or an event that you’ll be able to attend. It just might take a little bit of online sleuthing, and it might be best to be in the vicinity of an authorized ticket broker should you need help. Fortunately, there is a solution.
In an effort to help its existing ticket holders and sports fans get tickets for this year’s events, the National Speedway has temporarily reopened the question of ticket re-sale. According to a tweet from the track’s official Twitter account, they are currently accepting applications from people who want to purchase tickets for next year. However, this only applies to existing ticket holders. New applicants will not be able to purchase tickets for next year. The tweet also stated that this is a temporary measure and ticket re-sale for next year will be re-opened “once we have a clear plan and the ability to execute it.”
It would appear that the National Speedway is trying to do the right thing here. While they don’t want to punish their existing ticket holders, they don’t want to keep them from getting the entertainment they want, either. In other words, the last thing they want to do is shut down ticket re-sale, only to have it re-opened a couple of months later. The bottom line is that the National Speedway wants to ensure that its fans and customers can still enjoy the shows and the games they love most. Will this plan work? Time will tell.
What About The On-Site Visitor Center?
On-site visitor centers are nothing new. In fact, the concept of an on-site visitor center came to be because of the increased security concerns following 9/11. Since then, the concept has mostly stuck around as a place for tourists to get their bearings, as well as a welcome center and a place for event organizers to hold informational brochures and maps of the surrounding area. In 2019, the National Speedway will be adding another dimension to the on-site visitor center. While this particular center will mainly be used for tourism-related activities, it will also play a key role in the organization’s mission to increase awareness of, and participation in, motorsport.