Christmas gifts for NASCAR fans

What do you get a NASCAR fan for Christmas?

Well, it depends whether that fan is one who gets to the track very often.

Those who do might like any number of electronics to keep in touch with the action, clothes adorned with the name and colors of their favorite drivers or items that help make their track going experience more comfortable.

On the other hand, fans that don’t get the opportunity to see NASCAR racing in person would probably be thankful for opportunities to get as close to the action as the real thing.

Gift suggestions for fans that may not get to the track:

HALL OF FAME ADMISSION: There is only one place you can find access to NASCAR and its history 365 days a year (well, 362 actually) and that’s the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. A $50 charter membership gives a fan a year’s worth of access to NASCAR’s stories and history and includes free merchandise, discounts at the Hall of Fame and exclusive access to selected events. One-time adult admission is $19.95.

TAKE A SPEEDWAY TOUR: Get an up-close look at a track for a better perspective on what you’re missing out on. Charlotte Motor Speedway, for instance, offers a couple of options – the “Feel the Thrill Tour” and “Over the Wall Tour.” These tours give fans the chance to see areas of the speedway not accessible to fans on race days. Tickets range from $9 to $17. Call 1-800-455-3267 or visit charlottemotorspeedway.com for more information.

HAVE A CAROLINA CHRISTMAS: Have holiday guests visiting from out of town? Treat them to a ride through Carolina Christmas, the spectacular, nearly five-mile drive-through Christmas light park and village at CMS. This year’s expanded route starts at zMax Dragway, continues under Highway 29 and onto the 1.5-mile speedway. It’s open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31, excluding Christmas Day. Tickets are available online at www.visitcarolinachristmas.com or at the gate nightly. Admission is $20 per passenger vehicle, for up to eight people.

DRIVE IT LIKE THEY DO: The Richard Petty Driving Experience gives fans a chance to get in a NASCAR race car themselves and get as close to the action as the drivers themselves. The Experience offers a variety of driving and ride-along options at 20 tracks across the country. Visit DrivePetty.com for more information. Prices start at around $60 for ride-alongs and $450 to drive a car yourself.

RACE IN YOUR BACKYARD: Remember the old adage, “Run What Ya Brung”? You can race your friends in your own backyard or driveway in a battle of RC cars. How much you want to spend depends on how serious you plan to be in your racing. The more you want to do with your cars, the more money it takes – much like in real NASCAR competition. RC cars for the less-serious hobbyist can be found for under $100.

Gift suggestions for fans who visit the track often:

SCANNER: Many fans – and media – consider them indispensable to following NASCAR races. There is probably no better way to get the “inside story” on what is going on in a race than following driver channels on a scanner, or either the radio broadcast or NASCAR officials.

Will anyone forget this season listening to Kurt Busch at the spring race at Richmond as engaged in a profanity-laced tirade over his radio complaining of his ill-handling car and Penske Racing in general? There are many versions of scanners, with the cheapest around $50 and the best going upwards of several hundred dollars.

TAILGATING SUPPLIES: What could be more helpful to the race fans that make several trips to the track than supplies for tailgating? Some of the “must haves” for hanging out at the track include coolers, cup holders, portable grills and folding tables and chairs. Of course, there is a NASCAR-approved grill, which looks like a keg and is adorned with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s logos for around $145. It is available at the NASCAR.com Superstore.

TICKET POP-IN FRAME: FansEdge.com offers a frame kit perfect for professionally displaying your NASCAR race tickets or credentials. Each black wood frame is double matted and the back opens for quick and easy access.

CORNHOLE GAME: A favorite of many drivers and fans, the lawn game in which players take turns throwing bags at a raised platform is a staple in many NASCAR track campgrounds. Nice cornhole sets start at around $60.

More racing news, blogs, photos and more at www.ThatsRacin.com.