The Best Places to Watch a Race at Road America
Road America (get downloadable map) has no assigned seats, so the best place to watch depends on what you want to see. Road America’s own picks are Canada Corner, the Kink and Turn 5. Canada Corner and Turn 5 are heavy braking zones where passing happens. The Kink is one of the fastest corners on the circuit. The start-finish area around Turns 14 and 1 puts you close to the start, the finish and Victory Lane. With 14 turns spread across 640 acres, you can watch from several places in one day. This guide goes around the 4.048-mile circuit corner by corner.
In this guide
- How viewing works at Road America
- Turns 14 and 1: the start-finish area
- Turn 3 and the Moraine Sweep
- Turn 5
- Turns 6, 7 and 8
- The Carousel (Turns 9 and 10)
- The Kink (Turn 11)
- Canada Corner (Turn 12)
- Tips for picking your spot
How viewing works at Road America
As Road America puts it, “the entire property is your playground.” A general admission ticket lets you watch from any public viewing area, using miles of trails and access roads to move between corners. Bleachers are first-come, first-served, and most fans bring a folding chair.
Three things make moving around easier:
- Big screens show the live race feed near Turns 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12, at the Road America Center and at Victory Lane.
- A free tram runs during most public events, so you don’t have to walk the whole circuit.
- The Road America app includes event schedules, live cams, PA feeds and interactive maps.
The terrain matters, too. The track drops 160 feet in elevation from the start-finish line to the straight between the Kink and Canada Corner. Many corners sit on hillsides, and some views change a lot from one side of a turn to the other.
Turns 14 and 1: the start-finish area
Turn 14 leads onto the front straight, where the start, the finish and pit lane are. Turn 1 sits at the end of that straight and climbs a big hill, with views south over the Kettle Moraine. It’s the first braking zone after the start, which makes it a busy spot on the opening lap.
Why watch here: you’re close to the action at the start and finish, near Victory Lane, and next to a big screen at Turn 1. The Bank First Family Fun Zone is at Turn 1 during events where it runs, which makes this a practical home base for families. The Los Amigos concession at Turn 1 is one of the spots that sells alcohol.
Turn 3 and the Moraine Sweep
Turn 3 sends cars onto the Moraine Sweep, the stretch from Turn 3 to Turn 5. Road America’s track notes call it the second-fastest part of the circuit, with “lots of passes.” There’s a big screen at Turn 3, and the Corvette Corral is here for Corvette owners who want to park and watch together.
Why watch here: you’ll see cars at high speed and set up for passes into Turn 5.
Turn 5
Turn 5 is at the bottom of the Moraine Sweep, a tight corner where drivers brake hard while still heading downhill. Hard braking after a fast straight is where passes happen, which is why Turn 5 is one of the three spots Road America recommends.
Why watch here: you’ll see passing, late braking and the occasional driver who gets it wrong. A big screen at Turn 5 helps you follow the rest of the race.
Turns 6, 7 and 8
This part of the circuit is more technical. Turn 6 is a blind left-hander with the view blocked by a hill and a bridge. Turn 7 is one of the fastest corners on the track, leading into Hurry Downs, a short, very fast run to Turn 8, an off-camber downhill corner. There’s a big screen at Turn 7, and the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex karting track sits in the infield near Turns 7 and 8.
Why watch here: you’ll see cars change direction quickly through a series of technical turns.
The Carousel (Turns 9 and 10)
The Carousel is a long, very fast corner where drivers need smooth, steady inputs. Instead of a quick pass, you’ll see how well a car and driver hold speed through a long arc.
Why watch here: it shows off a car’s handling through one of the longest corners on the circuit.
The Kink (Turn 11)
Road America’s track notes call the Kink “a legend.” It’s a fast sweeper with very little runoff, taken at high speed on the run toward Canada Corner. Some events use an alternate configuration called the Bend instead, so check your event before you plan around it.
Why watch here: it’s one of the fastest corners on the circuit and one of Road America’s three recommended viewing spots.
Canada Corner (Turn 12)
Cars arrive at Canada Corner from Kettle Bottoms, the 0.52-mile stretch after the Kink. The track notes call it “probably the hardest braking you will do at Road America.” Hard braking after the fastest part of the track makes it a natural passing zone, and there’s a big screen nearby.
Why watch here: you get high speed, hard braking and passing all in one place, plus a screen to follow the rest of the race. It’s one of Road America’s three recommended viewing spots.
From Canada Corner the track climbs through Turn 13 and back to Turn 14. Fans who want a hospitality option near the end of the lap can look at the Turn 14 Experience at events that offer it.
Tips for picking your spot
- Move around during long races. A six-hour IMSA race or a full IndyCar weekend gives you time to try several corners. Head to your favorite one for the finish.
- Use the screens. Setting up near a big screen means you won’t lose track of the race when cars are on the far side of the circuit.
- Don’t save spots overnight. Chairs and canopies left out to reserve space are removed, and canopies must stay at least 10 feet from the fence.
- Plan for walking. Wear comfortable shoes, ride the tram, or rent a golf cart in advance. Personal carts aren’t allowed.
- Check the map. The Good Times Guide and fan map show concessions, restrooms and routes between corners.
For more on how tickets, seating and parking work, see the Road America FAQ and general rules.
Find your corner
Every corner at Road America shows you a different side of the race, and a general admission ticket gets you to all of them. Browse the 2027 event schedule and pick your weekend.