I found out that it is 215.1 miles from my garage to what appears to be the main entrance (3-3.5 hours away) which is spitting distance in Texas distance terms.
There are literally hundreds of people working on the track and the elevation change headed up the front straight is AWESOME!
The track appears to have the base grade to it with much work done to pack the surface. There was no paving that I could see, but I saw multiple vehicles heading up and down the hills with no apparent dust.
The center area which will be the stands and pavilion areas have some concrete and low walls with lots of rebar towers in place for some pours.
This area is the important part of the track in that this are will be used for all kinds of displays, music venues, conventions, etc., etc. The track is designed to be used year round.
The toll bypass around Austin works well. You will exit at FM 812 and thankfully that's one of the few exits that doesn't have a toll booth to slow traffic up, but at the moment there is only a 2 lane blacktop road servicing the track itself. You will get some stunning views of the track from the toll road as it curves around the track and you can see it from 2 different directions.
I don't understand the fuss over noise pollution and making sure the quality of the track itself because this is one of the worst areas I've seen in the state. A Sandford and Sons junkyard would be an improvement to the area.
Other than 1 gas station right across from the entrance and a taco shack there is no kind of services in the area yet. You have to travel 10-15 minutes, but once you get there you have your choice of just about anything you can want. I am sure there will be plenty of facilities inside the track itself.
Across the street from the track itself are Deliverance wannabes. I saw a guy "working" in his junkyard cum front yard and he made me roll up the windows and lock the doors. There is no where to go but up for this whole area.
I'm getting excited.
