I haven’t been to a NASCAR event, but I have been to many Champ Car and IRL races, which I suspect are similar in many respects. (If I’m mistaken about how NASCAR does things, I hope someone will correct me.)
First, great idea going on Friday. It will be a lot less crowded and easier to navigate with the kid. And you’ll almost certainly be able to sit anywhere you want in the grandstands. IME, seats are only reserved on the actual race day.
Check the schedule to see when cars will be on track. There will be practice and qualifying sessions for the main event and probably for the support races, too. There may even be a real race of one of the support series. Plan to arrive about an hour before the start of the first track session you want to watch. There will be booths and displays and food stands and whatnot outside the track, but don’t be too distracted by them first. Go into the track and look around for a good place from which to watch. Probably under the cover on the front straight.
In racing, unlike almost all other spectator sports, the best seats are at the back, not the front, because the seats in the back are highest and give the best view of the whole track. So climb up to the highest seat you can drag the kid to. But don’t spend the whole session in the back row. At some point while the cars are still racing around, walk on down to the bottom of the grandstand and just stand there as the cars go by at 160 mph. The sound and feel is unbelievable.
Watch the first practice session, then go out and explore the paddock and the exhibit area. The paddock is where the teams’ trailers are all parked. There may be a separate admission to this, but if it’s not too expensive it will be the highlight of your son’s day. The trailers are high-tech mobile garages and machine shops, and are a sight to behold for any gear head, like your son. You won’t be able to get really close to the cars: they put up ropes to keep spectators out of the working areas.
You may see a driver or two in the paddock, although from your self-description, you may need your three-year-old to identify them for you. Look for large crowds of people standing around–always a sign of a famous face. And keep an eye on people riding on scooters in the paddock. Often drivers or other VIPs.
Out in the exhibit area you’ll find all sorts of attractions. There will probably be show cars that your son can get up close to, possibly even in. Stands selling shirts and souvenirs, and lots of other fun stuff for a boy and his parent: cars, rides, food, drink, girls, etc. Something for everyone.
After an hour or two of this, it may be time for another practice session on the track. You might want to watch this one from a different location, just to see how the cars go through a different section of the track. You’ll know best how much fun the little guy can handle.
Obviously, you’ll be spending the day outside, so bring water, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc. And before race day, go to a the gun section of your local sporting goods store and buy some foam earplugs. You’ll definitely want them – especially for him – while watching the cars on track. (You’ll be able to get any of those things at the track, but at greatly inflated prices, of course.)
One last bit of advice: if you happen to know anyone connected to any of the companies that sponsor cars, see if you can get passes to their VIP chalet. If you can wangle it, it’s like flying first class. It will probably include a free paddock pass, and you’ll have a place you can sit down and get free food and drinks anytime you want. It’s sweet.
Have fun!
You’re going to want it. Use it even whenever you are on the track side of the stands and cars are on the track, even if you haven’t found your seats yet or are leaving your seats.