# Beyond Daytona: Six Race Weekends That Make Better Guys Trips in 2026 *By James Hills, mantripping.com — Updated February 2026* A NASCAR race weekend checks every box for a guys trip - built-in entertainment, all-day tailgating, cold beer in the sun, and enough sensory overload to keep everyone off their phones for 48 straight hours. But the real move isn't just going to one race. It's making this an annual tradition and hitting a different track every year. ** Questions** ** No answer selected. Please try again. Please select either existing option or enter your own, however not both. Please select minimum {0} answer(s). Please select maximum {0} answer(s). /polls/travel-and-trip-ideas/what-do-you-prefer-to-call-your-guys-trips.html?task=poll.vote&format=json 1 Guys Trips (367 votes / 46.57%) 46.57% votes Guys Getaways (67 votes / 8.5%) 8.5% votes Mancations (72 votes / 9.14%) 9.14% votes Brocations (116 votes / 14.72%) 14.72% votes [{"id":5,"title":"Guys Weekends","votes":166,"type":"x","order":1,"pct":21.07000000000000028421709430404007434844970703125,"resources":[]},{"id":6,"title":"[Guys Trips](https://www.mantripping.com/guys-trip.html)","votes":367,"type":"x","order":2,"pct":46.57000000000000028421709430404007434844970703125,"resources":[]},{"id":7,"title":"Guys Getaways","votes":67,"type":"x","order":3,"pct":8.5,"resources":[]},{"id":8,"title":"Mancations","votes":72,"type":"x","order":4,"pct":9.1400000000000005684341886080801486968994140625,"resources":[]},{"id":9,"title":"Brocations","votes":116,"type":"x","order":5,"pct":14.7200000000000006394884621840901672840118408203125,"resources":[]}] ["#ff5b00","#4ac0f2","#b80028","#eef66c","#60bb22","#b96a9a","#62c2cc"] ["rgba(255,91,0,0.7)","rgba(74,192,242,0.7)","rgba(184,0,40,0.7)","rgba(238,246,108,0.7)","rgba(96,187,34,0.7)","rgba(185,106,154,0.7)","rgba(98,194,204,0.7)"] 350 ** Vote Now** Vote Form** ResultVotes ** Why a NASCAR Race Weekend Works as a Guys Trip** Race weekends combine tailgating, live action, and a new city to check out - all built into a single trip that practically plans itself once you've got tickets. - Most tracks offer infield camping or RV access, meaning your accommodations and your entertainment are in the same spot - no Ubers, no hotel shuttles, no splitting up. - Saturday is often just as good as Sunday, with truck series races, qualifying, and the kind of unhurried infield atmosphere where you actually catch up with your buddies instead of shouting over a bar. - Ticket prices at smaller tracks run $50-150 for solid seats - a fraction of what you'd spend on a comparable NFL or NBA experience, especially once you factor in the all-day access. - A different track each year means a different city, different food, and different regional flavor - turning one guys trip idea into a decade-long tradition. - The 2026 season has some standout storylines, including North Wilkesboro hosting its first points race since 1996 and the return of The Chase playoff format. ** Article Index** [Why the Infield Changes Everything](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#why-the-infield-changes-everything)[Six Tracks Worth Planning A Trip Around](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#six-tracks-worth-planning-a-trip-around)[Indianapolis Motor Speedway - The Brickyard](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#indianapolis-motor-speedway-the-brickyard) - [Darlington Raceway - The Lady in Black](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#darlington-raceway-the-lady-in-black) - [North Wilkesboro Speedway - Racing History Reborn](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#north-wilkesboro-speedway-racing-history-reborn) - [New Hampshire Motor Speedway - The Magic Mile](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#new-hampshire-motor-speedway-the-magic-mile) - [Richmond Raceway - Saturday Night Under the Lights](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#richmond-raceway-saturday-night-under-the-lights) - [Watkins Glen International - Road Course Racing Meets Wine Country](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#watkins-glen-international-road-course-racing-meets-wine-country) - [Different Track, Same Tradition, New Stories Every Year](https://www.mantripping.com/travel/nascar-race-weekend-guys-trip-ideas.html#different-track-same-tradition-new-stories-every-year) There's a reason race weekends convert first-timers into lifers. The combination of speed, noise, food, and camaraderie is tough to replicate. And unlike destinations that peak after one visit, NASCAR keeps things fresh because no two tracks feel the same. ## Why the Infield Changes Everything If you've only watched NASCAR on TV, the infield experience is a different sport entirely. You feel the cars in your chest. You smell the rubber and fuel. And between green flags, the infield functions like the best tailgate party in America - grills fired up, cold drinks flowing, and a rotating cast of fans wandering through to compare setups. The practical side matters too. Show up in a truck or RV, set up your [race simulator](https://www.guysgab.com/how-ford-is-using-simulators-to-speed-up-development-for-new-vehicles/) on a laptop for qualifying predictions, get the grill going, and mix up some [easy cocktails](https://www.mantripping.com/food-and-drink/easy-mezcal-cocktails-to-kick-back-with-this-fall.html) while you argue about who's taking the championship this year. Cornhole boards, a decent Bluetooth speaker, and a shade canopy round out the essentials. That's it. You don't need a nightlife district or an activities itinerary - the track handles entertainment from sunrise to checkered flag. Guys Trip Destinations and Getaway Ideas [BLOG What Do Gen Z Travelers Think About Cruising And Where Do They Want To Go Next?   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflowmediamarketing.com%2Finsights%2Fwhat-do-gen-z-travelers-think-about-cruising-and-where-do-they-want-to-go-next.html&id=654&type=blog&site=mantripping) [BLOG Five Things Every Travel Blogger Wishes Destinations Would Do To Make Writing...   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fflowmediamarketing.com%2Farticles%2Fwhat-every-travel-blogger-wishes-destinations-would-do-to-make-writing-about-them-easier.html&id=655&type=blog&site=mantripping) [MANTRIPPING 11 Father-Son Trip Ideas: Male Bonding Through Inter-Generational Travel   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fcool-guy-trip-ideas-for-a-father-and-son-to-do-together.html&id=373&type=blog&site=mantripping) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. For groups that really want to go all-in, you could even [buy a used NASCAR car](https://www.mantripping.com/stuff/yes-you-can-buy-a-nascar-here-s-how.html) and tow it to the track as the centerpiece of your setup. Overkill? Absolutely. But nobody's forgetting that [guys weekend](https://www.mantripping.com/guys-weekend.html). ## Six Tracks Worth Planning A Trip Around Here's the thing - Daytona, Charlotte, and Talladega get all the attention. Those tracks are incredible experiences, and they deserve every bit of coverage they get. But the smaller and mid-size tracks offer something different: more intimate fan access, easier logistics, lower costs, and the kind of regional character that makes each trip feel distinct. These are the tracks where you can hear your buddies between laps, where the infield doesn't feel like a stadium parking lot, and where the local food scene actually becomes part of the weekend. Among motorsport-focused guys trips, these six tracks represent the sweet spot between great racing and great travel. --- {"html":""} --- ### Indianapolis Motor Speedway - The Brickyard July 26 brings Cup cars back to the 2.5-mile oval for the Brickyard 400, and the history here is hard to beat. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum alone is worth a morning, with cars spanning a century of American racing. Beyond the track, downtown Indianapolis has a solid brewery scene anchored by Sun King and Metazoa, plus the sports bars along Georgia Street if the group wants to stretch the weekend. The Brickyard has a more relaxed energy than the Indy 500 - meaning better sightlines and shorter beer lines for your group. ### Darlington Raceway - The Lady in Black Darlington hosts two Cup weekends in 2026 - the Goodyear 400 on March 22 and the Southern 500 on September 6, which kicks off The Chase. The track's egg-shaped oval means drivers scrape the wall so often they've earned their own term for it: the Darlington Stripe. The racing here is aggressive, unpredictable, and genuinely different from anywhere else on the schedule. Darlington was one of my very first NASCAR races - a [father-son trip](https://www.mantripping.com/father-and-son-trips.html) that planted the seed for everything that came after. I still remember the way the cars shook the grandstands and how the whole weekend felt like its own world, completely disconnected from everyday life. That memory is a big part of why this track stays near the top of my list every year, and why I think it's the kind of experience that bonds a group in ways a regular weekend can't. Darlington sits in rural South Carolina, which means your group is either basing out of Florence (30 minutes) or making the roughly 80-mile drive from Myrtle Beach - not a bad move if you want to tack on a beach day. The September race carries playoff stakes and Labor Day weekend energy, making it the stronger pick for a [boys trip](https://www.mantripping.com/boys-trip.html) that doubles as a long weekend. ### North Wilkesboro Speedway - Racing History Reborn This is the story of the 2026 season. North Wilkesboro, a .625-mile short track in the North Carolina foothills, hosts its first Cup Series points race since 1996 on July 19. The track sat abandoned for more than 25 years before being revived for exhibition and All-Star events. Now it gets the real thing. Short track racing means close quarters, door-to-door action, and a volume level that'll remind you why you packed earplugs. The surrounding area is deep Yadkin Valley wine country - not the first thing most guys associate with NASCAR, but a surprisingly solid Saturday afternoon activity before race day. This is the kind of weekend your group talks about for years: "We were there when Wilkesboro came back." ### New Hampshire Motor Speedway - The Magic Mile Loudon's August 23 race is tailor-made for a New England summer [guys weekend](https://www.mantripping.com/guys-weekend.html). The one-mile oval sits in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, which means your post-race options include lake houses, hiking, and the kind of craft beer scene that New England does better than almost anywhere. The track itself is a flat, technical oval that rewards driver skill over raw horsepower - the racing tends to be strategic and competitive. Camping at the track is a tradition here, with spots filling up fast for race weekends. For groups flying in, Manchester Airport is about 30 miles south, and Boston Logan is roughly 80 miles - close enough to make this work as a Thursday-to-Sunday trip without burning PTO. For [New Hampshire guys trips](https://www.mantripping.com/united-states/new-hampshire.html), it's hard to beat a weekend that combines NASCAR with lakeside downtime and mountain views. Guys Trip Articles and Ideas: [MANTRIPPING Guys Trip Ideas In Southwest Michigan   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Funited-states%2Fmichigan%2Fsouthwest-michigan.html&id=351&type=blog&site=mantripping) [MANTRIPPING Why You Should Consider Michigan For Your Next Guys Weekend Getaway   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fwhy-you-should-consider-michigan-for-your-next-guys-weekend-getaway.html&id=344&type=blog&site=mantripping) [MANTRIPPING Beyond Detroit: Best Places In Michigan For A Guys Trip   Read More →](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/api/flowads/click/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mantripping.com%2Ftravel%2Fbeyond-detroit-best-places-in-michigan-for-a-guys-trip.html&id=349&type=blog&site=mantripping) We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. ### Richmond Raceway - Saturday Night Under the Lights Richmond's August 15 race is a Saturday night event, which changes the entire dynamic of the weekend. You've got all day to set up, tailgate, and check out downtown Richmond's food and brewery scene - The Veil Brewing and Väsen are worth the trip on their own - before the green flag drops under the lights. The .75-mile short track produces some of the most physical racing on the schedule, and the night atmosphere amplifies everything. Among Virginia guys trips, Richmond is an underrated [mancation](https://www.mantripping.com/mancation.html) city: solid restaurants, a walkable riverfront, and enough history to fill a morning if anyone in your group is into that. The track is minutes from downtown, keeping logistics simple. ### Watkins Glen International - Road Course Racing Meets Wine Country Watkins Glen's May 10 date puts Cup cars on one of America's best road courses, nestled in New York's Finger Lakes region. Road course racing is a different animal - right turns, elevation changes, and braking zones that separate drivers who can wheel a stock car from those who just know ovals. The track sits above Seneca Lake, surrounded by dozens of wineries and breweries. A race weekend here naturally extends into a Friday wine trail tour and a Saturday trip through the gorge trails at Watkins Glen State Park. For [New York guys trips](https://www.mantripping.com/united-states/new-york-state.html), it's a combination that doesn't exist anywhere else on the schedule. ## Different Track, Same Tradition, New Stories Every Year The real value of building a race weekend into your annual guys trip rotation isn't just the racing - it's the excuse to visit a different part of the country every year with the same group of friends. Year one, you're sweating through a Richmond night race. Year two, you're camping at Loudon with lake access. Year three, you're watching history at North Wilkesboro. Each trip builds on the last, and the stories stack up in a way that a repeat destination can't match. Start with whichever track on this list is closest or cheapest to reach, lock in tickets early, and text the group chat. The 2026 season is already underway, and most of these race weekends will sell out their best sections months ahead. The hardest part isn't picking a track - it's getting everyone to commit to the same weekend. Details Written by: James Hills Last Updated: 24 February 2026 Hits: 7617 ### 🚢Ready To Book A Vacation? Let us help you plan a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or tour for your next guys trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway. 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