Located in the scenic rural town of Slinger, Texas, the Slinger Speedway stretches for a mile and a half, providing high-octane sensations to spectators and racers alike. A throwback to simpler times, the vintage oval layout and open road surfaces bring back fond memories of days gone by while still offering up plenty of thrills for today’s generation. It should come as no surprise that the famous speedway is on this list since it is home to the World’s Greatest Engine Company: NASCAR!
The Grandstands
It’s been said that the grandstands at Slinger Speedway are some of the best in all of NASCAR. The seating capacity is a whopping 55,000, which in today’s terms, makes it one of the largest gatherings of people in all of motorsport. That’s quite an accomplishment when you consider that back in 1947 when the track first opened its gates, there were only 7,500 seats and 40,000 people showed up for the first race. Times have certainly changed!
With over a century of racing history, the grandstands at Slinger Speedway feature several distinctive designs that are the work of noted architects from all over the world. Even the name “grandstands” was picked up from the original wooden stands that surrounded the track in its early days. These days, however, the grandstands are a permanent fixture, having been built of reinforced concrete and steel.
The Shop And Storage
The shop is where all the action happens behind the scenes at Slinger Speedway. This is where the cars are prepared for competition, where drivers and crews change tires and where adjustments are made on engines and transmissions. The team of dedicated professionals known as the “shop crew” works tirelessly throughout the year to ensure every car is prepared to hit the track and perform at its best.
As befitting the World’s Greatest Engine Company, the shop at Slinger Speedway is a vast, high-tech complex that is a testament to the tireless devotion of its staff. It is an awe-inspiring structure that would not be out of place amongst the engineering wonders of today’s modern cities. It even draws parallels to the fictional “Knight’s Ranch” where the movie, “Rounders” was set. What’s more is that parts of the complex are made of brick, providing an authentic old-world charm to the whole thing.
The Office
The office is where the fun starts. When competitors are running on the track, all eyes are on the cars and the action behind them. However, when a race is over, the real action takes place in the office. Here, crew members and officials from all the participating teams meet to hash out the details of the race and figure out what went wrong. Sometimes, a driver will even have to deal with the media, after the race, to give a sense of what happened.
The office is another structure that has been greatly changed over the years. Originally built in the shape of a ship’s hull, it was said to reflect the shape of the lake that the track is located on. The structure now serves a more practical function and is where all the action takes place, including some conference calls with employees from other locations, bringing a sense of business professionalism to the whole thing.
The Domes
One of the things that make Slinger Speedway distinctive are the arches that can be found throughout the grandstands. These distinctive feature provide an additional 500 seats and have become a symbol of the track, thanks in part to their inclusion in the logo. You’ll also find the arches at the back of the track, behind the stands, where the lighting really lets them sparkle. The lighting also enhances the curves of the concrete and gives the whole area a certain “otherworldly” charm.
The Track
Last but not least, we have the track. The track is another place where cars go round and round, trying to gain an advantage over their opponents. The name “track” really needs no explanation; it’s where all the action is! The track has several distinct characteristics. First, it is paved with bricks, which provides better traction than asphalt and allows for more aggressive driving. Second, the track is quite wide, measuring over a mile in length, providing more than enough room for cars to race. Third, there are no front seats in the stands, only concrete blocks which provides for better views than even the most luxurious of vehicles can offer. Finally, the track is quite short, just under a mile and a half long, providing enough turns for the average driver to feel comfortable.
Overall, the combination of all these factors mean that the track at Slinger Speedway offers a unique experience that is not easily found elsewhere. While the grandstands, shops and storage might not be things that you typically find in your average high-street dealership, the novelty of seeing NASCAR in person will certainly be something new!