Whoopee, TMS getting its very own Snob Hill

A week or so ago, Texas Motor Speedway sent out an e-mail to media outlets about a new project and ticket deal they were going to announce Monday. As a fan I was hoping they might be putting in a cool infield garage fan experience like the Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, I was way off. Instead, Eddie Gossage and the gang are building their very own LVMS-style Snob Hill RV section or Burn Out Alley as they like to call it. Yes, friends for a mere 15 grand you can park your luxury coach in a 30 foot by 60 foot RV "suite" space above the backstretch grandstands. Each super-sized spot comes complete with full hookups, private seats, private restrooms, free wireless Internet, and concierge grocery service. You also get all kinds of goodies like infield passes and programs and pre-race passes, etc. Oh, but there are rules, my rich friends. No flag flying, or scaffolding or standing on top of your gold-plated RV to watch the race ... what I thought we were camping at a NASCAR race? Oh and if you're planning on parking that green and blue Dale Jr. party bus up on Snob Hill, you might be in for a surprise. The precise wording on the TMS site says this: Only appropriate RVs are to be parked within this area. NO BOX TRUCKS. Texas Motor Speedway reserves the right to approve any vehicles wishing to park within Burn Out Alley.

But what about the economy-friendly ticket deal that was part of the announcement on Monday? Oh, they're offering $20 and $40 tickets on the backstretch. Super. Have you ever actually sat and watched a race on the TMS backstretch? I have and it's not fun. I wouldn't sit there again if you gave me a ticket. And now all the folks up on Snob Hill can look down on the commoners in the $20 seats and chuckle...

Hey, times are tough and I know NASCAR tickets are expensive, so I find this whole Burn Out Alley thing kind of gluttonous. $15,000 a season for a camping spot? The infield camp spots are sold out for next year and the regular camp spots outside the track run $350-$500 for a season reserved spot (no hook-ups) or $200-$275 per Cup race weekend. $75 gets you a luxurious, grassy tent spot or an unreserved, first-come, first-served space. Sounds reasonable. That's some real camping and some prices real NASCAR fans can afford.

-- Michele Vincze