06/04/2026
For the knowing.
PSA: Itโs race weekend ๐๐ in Brooklyn. Think you know what that means? You might be surprised... ๐ฒ Hereโs the real truth about race weekend:
๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ, ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ.
Why? A lot of local people avoid town during NASCAR events because they think Brooklyn is a snarled mess of gridlock traffic and race fans everywhere. But this is โnot your fatherโs Brooklynโ. And if youโre old enough to recognize that adapted slogan, youโre forgiven for the misconception as you probably lived through a time when all of these fears were actually real.
But these days, MIS, NASCAR, and local law enforcement, are doing a tremendous job of not only managing traffic effectively, but also creating an event that entertains and accommodates its fans all within the grounds of MIS. People are here to see the race and hang out at the track, and thatโs pretty much where they stay.
Youโll definitely see some above average crowds at Country Market, and CVS will probably be out of beer by Sunday ๐บ๐
โโ๏ธ. But if youโre worried about long lines of traffic and packed businesses all up and down Main Street, itโs just not like that.
๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐:
Thursday afternoon is a steady stream of campers and painted school buses coming south down Main St. Itโs smooth. Itโs organized. And itโs usually over by 7pm or so. State police are directing traffic and running the traffic lights manually. ๐ฎ๐จ๐ฆAs soon as they see locals trying to cross Main Street, the lights change, the MIS traffic stops, we get across town, and life goes on for all of us. Just be sure to hit the light at Chicago Street instead of trying to turn at Marshall or any of the other side streets.
Come grab a seat in the patio and watch the "parade", its fun!
Friday-Sunday are business as usual for most of us โ just slower. No more campers rolling around town. Definitely a little more early morning traffic than usual as folks run into the store to grab more beer and whatever they forgot at home, get coffee, breakfast before the races, etc. But by mid day, everyone is at the track having a good time. Shadys gets a decent late night pop, so stop over there after dinner for some good people watching. Oh, and youโll probably want to avoid Taco Bell, if you werenโt already doing that anywayโฆ
๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐๐ฎ ๐ข๐ค๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐. ๐๐๐๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐. Everyone is leaving the track. Campers going everywhere in all directions. If youโre going to avoid Brooklyn, this is the time to do it. Police are still directing traffic and managing the lights. But some people think they can do better with Waze or Maps and you will see a little more side street confusion on this day than normal. But itโs still not like the gridlock from the โold daysโ.
So there you have it. Whether you decide to visit Downtown Brooklyn this weekend or not, be safe, have fun, and enjoy the beautiful weather! ๐ค Thanks for all of your support!
