The old Athens Speedway used to have some killer corndogs. Late in the evening, they’d do a two-fer.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens (Daytona), Fernando Andrade (Food)
Some race tracks are known for challenging corners, while others are lauded for their extensive history–but what about their food offerings?
Which race tracks have the best trackside concessions?
The old Athens Speedway used to have some killer corndogs. Late in the evening, they’d do a two-fer.
An ear of corn, grilled still in the husk over an open fire on a piece of chainlink fence then dipped into a coffee can full of "butter" at Road America, and these fries with ketchup, mayo and chopped onion at the Nurburgring. 
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
I bet that chopped onion really elevated those Pommes frittes.
Colin Wood said:In reply to JG Pasterjak :
I bet that chopped onion really elevated those Pommes frittes.
You have to order them as "pommes spezial" to get the onions and it's an extra .50 euro but worth every penny. They come with a tiny fry-sized fork,and whoever applies the ketchup and mayo has clearly studied their craft because the proportion and distribution are exceptional.
Honorable mention for Nachos at the Hyundai press tent. 
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
You had me at "tiny fry-sized fork."
Road America always has solid food.
Martinsville is legendary for their $2 hot dogs. I had one once but didn't know the drill and ended up with pretty much no toppings by accident. it was still good though, so I can only imagine that it's even better with all the bells and whistles.
In reply to Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :
Good to know. I do like to avoid tracks that serve only beverages.
Port Royal Speedway
The churches do the food. The hot sausages are great. They are bratwurst cooked on a grill with onions and peppers. The rolls are toasted by pressing them on the grill.
Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:Road America always has solid food.
Bratwurst, onion, kraut and mustard on a bun at 8am at Corner 14? Priceless.
Corn mentioned above is legendary too.
Road America.
Road America is high on the list.
High plains raceway used to have a food truck for events that made the best breakfast burritos I have ever had.
Nelson ledges usually has a few really good food trucks!
Watkins Glen and VIR generally suck at food, imho.
JG Pasterjak said:An ear of corn, grilled still in the husk over an open fire on a piece of chainlink fence then dipped into a coffee can full of "butter" at Road America, and these fries with ketchup, mayo and chopped onion at the Nurburgring.
Is it regular mayo or that specific European fry sauce that's a lot like mayo but not quite? I love that stuff. It looks a little yellower like it could be the fry sauce.
AMiataCalledSteve said:Martinsville is legendary for their $2 hot dogs. I had one once but didn't know the drill and ended up with pretty much no toppings by accident. it was still good though, so I can only imagine that it's even better with all the bells and whistles.
Yes the PINK hot dogs. Most hot dogs are close to pink but the Martinsville hot dogs are PINK. They are really good.
GCrites80s said:JG Pasterjak said:An ear of corn, grilled still in the husk over an open fire on a piece of chainlink fence then dipped into a coffee can full of "butter" at Road America, and these fries with ketchup, mayo and chopped onion at the Nurburgring.
Is it regular mayo or that specific European fry sauce that's a lot like mayo but not quite? I love that stuff. It looks a little yellower like it could be the fry sauce.
It's regular mayo, but most mayo I've have in Germany is always a little creamier, like is uses a higher ratio of egg yolk and a sweeter oil in the emulsion. It's almost got a flavor like "If Miracle Whip were actually good"
Another fan of the food at Road America here.
Whatever track my wife is showing up at.
When I was racing motorcycles she'd bring some sort of marinated meet, with baked potatoes and grilled veggies.
My fellow racers used to query me on how on earth I got Jer to do this.
As for actual track food most of it is hideous........much respect for places like Road America where it is actually good.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I can second VIR sucking. Spent all the money on the fancy restaurant and the stuff you can actually buy at the track is straight out of the freezer and into the fryer.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
If you're looking for creamier, yolkier mayo, you need to go to the Asian market and get Kewpie.
Longtime lurker - I created an account just for this.
My wife swears that burger shack with the indoor dining area at Sebring behind the pits/loft area has the best tomatoes. She swears they're home grown and the Florida water has made something taste good (normally I despise Florida water).
Marjorie Suddard said:In reply to JG Pasterjak :
If you're looking for creamier, yolkier mayo, you need to go to the Asian market and get Kewpie.
That's a good comparison, actually. European-market mayo is like a slightly sweeter Kewpie.
Kinda wondering how TSA would feel about me bringing some back.
NCM's rice bowls were nother level. Then last time they had tacos :-(.
Barber is at the bottom.
NCM as in National Corvette Museum?
I may head to an event at Road America just to see if the track food is really that good.
In reply to Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :
What makes the food so good at Elkhart lake is those stands are manned by local church groups. In a lot of cases they bring home made items like pies/cakes/ donuts/cookies . To benefit the church or group.
In reply to Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :
What makes the food so good at Elkhart lake is those stands are manned by local church groups. In a lot of cases they bring home made items like pies/cakes/ donuts/cookies . To benefit the church or group.
Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH takes the cake here.
And if you get the VIP suites they have an attendant that brings it to you and it costs the same as waiting in a 45 minute line plus their own kitchen/fridge/freezer so you can BYO also.
Plus the VIP suites come with two golf carts to cruise the pits in.
I haven't been since moving out of state years ago, but Laguna Seca used to serve calimari in a paper cup with cocktail sauce...
Of the California tracks, Thunderhill has good food.
JG Pasterjak said:
It's almost got a flavor like "If Miracle Whip were actually good"
Oh, that hurts! This guy LOVES Miracle Whip! But then again, I like Thousand Island dressing on a baked potato. I blame the local WI supper clubs where I grew up for both ... and my adult life attraction to a good whiskey old fashioned sour.
In reply to amg_rx7 (Forum Supporter) :
Thunder hill definitely........barber has a good Spanish food truck.......can't eat at Sebring
einy (Forum Supporter) said:JG Pasterjak said:
It's almost got a flavor like "If Miracle Whip were actually good"
Oh, that hurts! This guy LOVES Miracle Whip! But then again, I like Thousand Island dressing on a baked potato. I blame the local WI supper clubs where I grew up for both ... and my adult life attraction to a good whiskey old fashioned sour.
Nowhere in my assessment of Miracle Whip did I say that I do not like Miracle Whip, for what that's worth.
In reply to frenchyd :
One of of the churches have pulled out as they're having trouble getting volunteers or help in general. Covid issues too.
Norwalk Dragway in OH.
$1 for a POUND of ice cream on a hot June day...Oh yes!
In reply to hybridmomentspass :
Okay, so you noticed that, too.
When Daytona was rebuilding its infield, I went to a press conference that discussed the upcoming changes. On the list: really good infield food.
When they opened the new infield, yeah, they did have good food. I remember good sandwiches.
And, well, those days didn’t last as the menu has since reverted back to the standard fare: chicken baskets, etc.
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