Where are your seats?
First 2 years I sat in the main granstands club, last year sat in turn 1. If you have VIP passes, do they include parking? If not, I like paying the people who own land across the street from the main grandstands right where FM 812/Piland Triangle rd sorta branches off. I think they charge $20 or $30 for the day.
Get out there early to avoid traffic nonsense and take in the day.
Get ready to walk, a lot.
The area over by the grand plaza will have all the 18-wheeler trailers for the drivers where you can buy their merchandise. There will be additional NASCAR generic trailers sprinkled around. This area also has fair rides, and all types of things.
If y'all want to rent headsets and scanners to listen to the drivers talk to their crew chiefs and spotters during the race (highly recommend), you have to rent them beforehand online. You can do that here:
https://racingelectronics.com/collections/rentals/products/copy-of-circuit-of-the-americas-rentalMy rec would be get Intercom System. It will come with a scanner, 2 headphones and mics so you and your wife can talk to each other through it even as it's loud and the cars are going by. Only $20 more to add the intercom system so I'd do it.
Don't just stay in one spot even if you have great seats. If you're somewhere in the main grandstands but you're closer to start/finish, walk down past the grandstands next to the loge boxes right as the terrain goes up the hill and stand there for a re-start without your headphones on so you can hear all 40 cars together hauling ass.
If you are over near the grand plaza at any time during the race there's a nice little hill you can watch the cars coming through where typically some good racing takes place.
Don't expect to see the entire course no matter where you sit because you won't.
I think you can also reserve/take a ride up the tower at the ampitheater in the middle of the track before the race. Your VIP passes may or may not include that.
If they include the pre-party on the front stretch be sure to go walk on the track and check out the cars/drivers up close. I did that 2 years ago when Midland was performing and we had a good time.
If I think of anything else I'll be sure to post it. Ask any questions you want.
Finally...no matter how much or little fun you have...imo nothing beats a great oval when watching NASCAR. Watching at a road course, while fun, is just wildly different.
