The NASCAR season just came to a close, crowning Jimmie Johnson as the year-end winner, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be thinking about the 2014 season already.  Throughout the season, there are key dates and places in the Sprint Cup season and for the true racing fan, there’s nothing quite like the experience of seeing a race live and in-person.  So if you’ve seen Days of Thunder more times than you count or spend your time looking up homes for sale Mooresville, NC just so you can say you live in Race City, here are some dates that you’ll want to make sure you are where the action is.

Daytona, Florida in February

Jimmie Johnson’s storybook 2013 season started at the Daytona 500 on February 24th.  Johnson and the field will open up next year’s Sprint Cup series onFebruary 23rd of 2014.  For Johnson, 2014 will be an opportunity to claim his seventh championship in nine years.  For someone looking to see all the action up close and personal, this is a perfect time and place to start a season-long road trip.

All-Star Race in Charlotte

Charlotte Motor Speedway is the site of NASCAR’s version of an All-Star Game.  Held on May 17th in 2014, head to North Carolina to watch all the stars that stock car has to offer.

The Brickyard in July

Very few raceways are as iconic as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also known as the Brickyard.  If you call yourself a NASCAR fan, you’ll want to see the Brickyard for yourself at least one time in your life and what better time to do so than during the Brickyard 400, which is going to run in 2014 on July 27th.  While in Indianapolis, you’ll eventually want to eat and if you’re a fan of red meat, you can’t do much better than St. Elmo Steakhouse.

Chase for the Sprint Cup in Chicago

The Chicago area has a lot to offer its visitors throughout the year.  The third most populous city in the country, Chicago has an amazing history of culture that can satisfy and interests.  Just outside Chicago, in nearby Joliet, the Chicagoland Motor Speedway is the place where the all-important “Chase For the Sprint Cup” Series starts off on September 14th.  The GEICO 400 kicks off the final ten races of the season, so you’ll want to be there to see who comes to shine for the home stretch.

A Champion is Crowned

It all comes down to November 16th in Miami, Florida.  That’s where the Ford EcoBoost 400 takes place at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.  This year, Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag, but that just solidified the season victory for Jimmie Johnson.  This is the race that it all comes down to, and if you’re looking to take a road trip to NASCAR stops, you’ll want to mark this weekend on your calendar.  Of course, Miami has a lot more to offer than just a race, so while in town, be sure to take in some of the nightlife and fine dining.

Race City USA

Baseball fans flock to Cooperstown, football fanatics head to Canton.  For the NASCAR fan, there is no more important place to travel to than Race City, USA, better known as Mooresville, North Carolina.  Not only is Race City the home to 60 racing teams, it is also the home to the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame.  With so much racing to be found in Mooresville, it is Racing Heaven.  Don’t be surprised if you are looking for homes for sale in Mooresville, NC after you take in all the racing sites to be seen there.

So mark your calendars and get your tailgating grill ready.  After the holidays, it’s just a short couple months before the engines are revving again.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: shutterstock.com
•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: shutterstock.com

Derek is a sports writer for a local newspaper in Asheville, NC.  He’s had an interest in NASCAR ever since his father took him to his first race when he was nine.

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