Gateway, St. Louis, Missouri
Actually this is not a track that NASCAR Winston Cup has run at but BUSCH has run here and I went to the Sprint and ASA race that was here in September 1997. This is a new track, it is small, but laid out nice. I was lucky enough to even have pit passes and got to meet Tim Steele and a bunch of the drivers. Also met Kenny Irwin who took over Ernie Irvan's ride in 1998. This guy is real personable, I hope he does well.

I had never been to a big Sprint event. It was great. Those cars just FLY around that track, there was never a boring moment.

Track Rating: 5
I am would really like to say 8 as over all it was great, but, BUT I really should put 1 because the firefighters and saftey crews working at that track were the absolute worst I have ever seen in my life. Most of the time I don't pretend that I can do anothers job better than them, but my GOD my dog could have performed a better job then them! If they don't do something quick about this area of saftey, this track won't last, because other divisions are not going to be willing to sacrific life for entertainment. I could go on about this subject for ever (somebody please get me off my soap box!)

UPDATE! We went to the truck race September of 1998 and everything was great. There weren't many wrecks so we didn't get to see the firemen and saftey crews that much. What little we saw of them they were right on it. Gateway is great, and it is wonderful not to have to drive 10 hours! : )

Ease of access in and around track: 8
But you have to figure when I was there, there wasn't near the crowd at a Busch or Winston Cup race.

Track Parking: 8
Again, appeared good for the type of crowd they are drawing.