Credit: Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Tailgatin': Before you leave...

Going to a race takes planning. Like my dad used to say "Prior proper planning prevents poor performance." Having a game plan will make your trip go much smoother. I start preparing about two weeks ahead of time. My pit crew gives me a hard time about my list but I almost never forget anything!

Here are some things to remember:

From the track Website

• Before you leave for the race, download the seating chart, the speedway map with the tram route and the map that shows exit routes to interstates from the track website. Make sure you have a map of the track's seating and parking lots. Some tracks I have been to do not have any signs, while other tracks have nice big detailed signs.

• If you are camping, you want to try to camp as close as possible to your seats. At Talladega which is 2.66 miles on the inside you do not want to be camped or parked outside of Turn 3 if your seats are in Turn 1.

	Credit: Credit: Autostock
	HEADING TO THE RACES? •   2006 Nextel Cup schedule •   Plan your 2006 race trips! •   Buy tickets now!

• Always look to see where the infield tunnels are, because you do not want to be in a lot that has to funnel out with that mess. At Talladega, for example, if you are coming from the east and have seats in Turn 1 you do not want to get stuck in westbound traffic on the backstretch.

• While at the speedway website, doublecheck the rules to see what you can bring in the track.You don't want to have to go back to your car because your cooler is a hard-sided one and then have to buy an acceptable cooler. Avoid that hassle and check the rules out before you go.

• Also, go to the fan guide at the track website. There is a lot of useful information listed in them, like where you can find the ATM's, the lost and found, medical assistance, etc.

More on maps

• Go to www.expedia.com or a site like it and get additional maps. The maps the track give you are the same routes they give 200,000 other people. It is good to know where you are at all times, because you may have come in from one direction and they may make you leave in another.

• Know where you are parked in relation to your seats and the interstate that gets you back toy our hotel. Try to not go past the speedway to park.You will have to drive in that much more traffic to get to your hotel.

• I cannot stress enough the importance of having more than one map!

• Always have a detailed map of the city hosting the race. This is the single most important piece of information I can give. It does you no good to know there is a restaurant that has great barbecue on Road B but you do not have a map to get you to Road B

• AAA members can get these maps by calling their local store. If you don't belong to AAA, stop at the welcome center at the state line. They have many maps. I've found great detailed maps there.

• Oh, the headaches you will prevent by knowing where all those residential roads go! At the older tracks, there are backroads to get in and out. At Charlotte, we can get to our camping spot directly across from the track without ever driving on Interstate 85, Hwy. 29 or 49 or Speedway Blvd. -- and let me tell you folks that is no small feat. But it is a time and headache saver.

Miscellaneous tips

• Now that you have all those great maps, look at them before you leave so you are familiar with the names of the roads that surround the track. This will help when you are stuck in traffic and see Road A coming up on the left and you know that Road A will wrap you around to the interstate and on the way back to your hotel room.

• Plan your meals. Make up the shopping list from the recipes. Use a checklist system. Try to pre cook as much food as you can.

• Speaking of checklists, have a master list with what you need to take with you. As you load it in the car, check it off the list.

• Don't forget the tickets!

• Download scanner frequencies from the Web. They cost from $5 to $10 at the track. Many sites have them listed, including ticket broker sites.

• Seat cushions that have a zipper and unfold as a blanket are great for stashing snacks to take into the race. The stadium chairs are good for this, too, so go buy one.

Jo Ann Hlavac is the producer of Laidbackracing.com, a fan site devoted to NASCAR tailgating. The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.