Have a couple or so from the fan/grandstand side of things.
Wa-a-a-a-a-a-ay back in 1971 when I was going to the Fairmont, MN on a somewhat regular basis, most times on my own for the first time. In 1971 the track dropped the modifieds in favor of late models. Well, so happens there is a team from nearby town to mine, making them a favorite as that was as close to a hometown team as I could get back then. The original driver more or less quit part way into the season, as the huge half mile track was a bit unnerving to him (later years he became a track champion, more than once IIRC). The team put a veteran driver in the car, who had been the track champion in modifieds just a couple of years before, so I knew who he was. Plus he had been one of many favorites of mine as well. He got the lead early in the 20 lap main event and was holding off the dominant driver that season for all 20 laps. Needless to say i was really cheering him on, yelling "encouragement all the way. In the row in front of me was a gal and I think one or two of her kids. Yes, my driver/team won... The next week I sat in the same area. In looking around I see this gal and kids now sitting two rows behind me and further down. LOL
Then a couple of years ago, I was at an event at the Kossuth County Ag and Motorsports Museum in Algona, IA. This driver was there, though not sure as one of the guest speakers or just there because the Museum was talking about their 1975 racing season, the last IIRC that had sprints as the main draw. I walked up to him and told him about that race so many years before. Think he was surprised that someone mentioned that race to him and the way I cheered. Could see the pleased look on his face as he simply thanked me. Also told him that I have never cheered like that for any driver or team since then.
The other for now, was opening night in April 1996 of the Perris Auto Speedway, several miles south of Riverside, CA. The SCRA sprint cars were the featured draw and only thing running. This was the first time Since Ascot closed at the end of 1990, that sprints cars had a track in the LA Metro area, though close to 60 miles east of the Ascot location. Good thing we got there when we did. By the time qualifying had begun, the announcement was made that there was SRO at the track already, and CHP and CalTrans had to put of signs on the freeway several miles west of the track, telling those still wanting to come, that the track had no more room for fans....