Race on a Nascar Track

Whether you’re a go-kart fanatic or haven’t yet crouched behind the wheel of one of these miniature race cars, there’s only one place in the United States to head if you’re looking for the ultimate experience: Road America. If you’re a NASCAR or IndyCar fan, you already know the storied track at Road America, but if you’re not, you may not even have heard of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where this legendary track sits. But you should.

In the 1950s, Elkhart Lake hosted races on its public streets, bringing the top male and female drivers of the day to its winding lakeside roads for an annual event that drew enormous crowds. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the safest setup (for driver or spectator), and the fun briefly came to an end . . . until Road America was built. Accommodating up to 150,000 spectators, Road America is home to NASCAR, IndyCar and plenty of other top-tier races annually, but it also offers activities and lessons for everyone from the casually curious to the seriously determined.

For the hands-on crowd, Road America offers several single-day activities, but the most notable is its pro-kart racing. That’s right — not go-kart, but pro-kart. Reaching speeds up to four times what other “hi-speed” go-karts muster, the powerful machines at Road America offer opportunities for true racing, and on a considerably more interesting course than you’ll find at most recreational centers. Your kart will also be tracked by tech that will report your lap times and chart your performance against that of the others racing against you. It’s a fun souvenir to bring home from your day of racing at a NASCAR track, especially if you fared well against your competitors!