The NASCAR Truck Series has been in existence since 1995, and Camping World has been the corporate sponsor since 2009—next year it will become the Gander Outdoors Truck Series. Truck races are shorter races. However, this does not mean they are any less fun!
The series is nearing the halfway-point for the 2018 season, but there’s no reason not to highlight the upcoming races, and get you playoff-ready by highlighting all the playoff races too. There’s a championship on the line you know…
The races below, by the way, are on the same tracks used by the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup auto race series (and often the same weekends)—with the notable exception of the Chevrolet Silverado 250.
All photos credits are NASCAR via Getty Images
Gander Outdoors 150 • Long Pond, PA
To be held on July 28, this race’s biggest highlight is the track. Known as the ‘tricky triangle’ due to its 30-60-90 triangular shape, the Pocono Raceway is a thrill because of its two long straightaways and three nasty corners. For this race I’d name it the ‘Tricky Trucky Triangle.’
Camping available is available on the infield and in campgrounds near the track
Corrigan Oil 200 • Brooklyn, MI
Two weeks later we are at the Michigan International Speedway. Located just southwest of Ann Arbor, you can get there a tad early and check out the sites of southern Michigan—including the most unusual Dr. J.H. Kellogg Discovery Center in Battle Creek. The Michigan International Speedway is a relatively short track but they do love to tout their great infield camping. Here are a few other area campgrounds.
UNOH 200 • Bristol, TN
There are only 5 days between the Corrigan Oil 200 and the University of Northwestern Ohio 200. However, the tracks are only nine hours apart, and if you want, you can take the scenic route through Columbus and find a campground near Wayne National Forest, Ohio. The Corrigan Oil 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway features a short track with the capacity for a large crowd. It holds up to 162,000 enthusiastic race fans! There are five campgrounds on the motor speedway property but here are a few more.
On to the Playoffs!
Chevrolet Silverado 250 • Clarington, ON
Canada! You’ll need your proper ID, especially getting back into the United States. The effort is worth it. The Canadian Tire Motorsport Park track is Grand Prix-style with ten turns to challenge the drivers. This is a multi-track venue and has several ticket packages including some Meet & Greets. There is camping on the grounds for everything from pop-ups to motorhomes. There are several other campgrounds nearby.
World of Westgate 200 • Las Vegas, NV
Provided you got out of Canada without a hitch, you have a solid 20 days to get to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. You can bask in its mid-September sunshine or, rumor has it, there are casinos in the area (in Vegas?! Shocking!). The Las Vegas Motor Speedway has its own infield for you to RV, spots around the track and, of course, there are a plethora of fine campgrounds in the area.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race at Talladega • Talladega, AL
The longest name for a race (possibly ever) and the longest stretch between races. You have a solid month to get from Las Vegas to Talladega. It’s not as if there is anything to see between the two… except for the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, historic Albuquerque, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, The Ozarks, Graceland, Tupelo and more. Seriously, take your time and be well-rested to enjoy one of the most exciting raceways in America, the historic Talladega Motor Speedway.
Infield camping available as well as other campgrounds nearby.
Texas Roadhouse 200 • Ridgeway, VA
Two weeks later we are sitting around Halloween and at the Martinsville Speedway. Martinsville is a charter member of NASCAR and is a shortest track, an oval touted as a “Half Mile of Mayhem.” A tight track doesn’t allow for infield camping, but this is a beautiful area with plenty of campgrounds.
JAG Metals 350 – Fort Worth, TX
This race is only a week out from Martinsville, so if you were to skip this one at the Texas Motor Speedway I would totally understand. In fact, the final three races of the playoff series are all just a week apart. However, if you are feeling the need for truck speed, you can relax in luxury if you desire at the infield camping site known as ‘Burnout Alley” or find nearby accommodations.
Lucas Oil 150 • Phoenix, AZ
If you have chosen to bypass Texas, you will still be driving through it on your way to Phoenix—this race is at the ISM Raceway. This track is going through some amazing renovations and is scheduled for its debut the weekend of the Lucas Oil 150. They tout their infield camping experience, so take a gander at it. It’s the desert southwest so there are many other nice campgrounds nearby as well.
Ford EcoBoost 200 • Miami, FL
The finale of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is in fabulous Miami at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Yes, it is only a week out from the race in Phoenix, but it’s a nice drive on I-10 then down through Florida. This race is the same weekend as NASCAR’s Ford EcoBoost 400 and Ford EcoBoost 300 — stay for three races and enjoy Miami and the Everglades.
Infield camping is certainly available, and since it is Florida, there are some nice campgrounds nearby.
There is a lot to take in for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and we only highlighted the latter half of the season—Happy Camping & Happy Racing!
