Bidding is open: Redeem Choice points for behind-the-scenes experiences at NASCAR races

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Whether you love NASCAR or want a unique behind-the-scenes look at race day, you may be interested in some special NASCAR experiences you can secure with Choice Privileges points. In 2024, Choice Privileges launched its sponsorship of Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel …

Mar 6, 2025 - 15:36

Bidding is open: Redeem Choice points for behind-the-scenes experiences at NASCAR races

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Whether you love NASCAR or want a unique behind-the-scenes look at race day, you may be interested in some special NASCAR experiences you can secure with Choice Privileges points.

In 2024, Choice Privileges launched its sponsorship of Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suárez (driver of No. 99 Chevrolet) for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. For the 2025 season, Choice Privileges is continuing its sponsorship of Suárez and adding a sponsorship of Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain (driver of No.1 Chevrolet).

These sponsorships matter to Choice Privileges members because they unlock the ability to redeem Choice points for some special behind-the-scenes experiences with these NASCAR drivers and the Trackhouse Racing team. Here’s what you need to know.

Bid to redeem Choice points for NASCAR experiences

You can bid to redeem Choice points on behind-the-scenes experiences at all 38 NASCAR Cup Series races this year. You can see the current experiences open for bidding by clicking through this page on the Choice Hotels website.

Choice NASCAR experiences — Some available NASCAR experiences and bids as of when I wrote this story. CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, INC

Be sure to read the specifics of an experience before bidding. Most experiences offer two VIP experience passes, a tour of the Trackhouse team transporter and pit road, a meet-and-greet with the pit crew and drivers and prerace hospitality with food and drink. However, at least one experience offers four VIP experience passes.

The experience will likely be even better than you’d imagine from reading the specifics on the bidding page.

“After watching the final car adjustments in the team garages, members can watch part of the race in the pit box, sitting with the crew chief as they guide the drivers. They’ll also get to enjoy a meal prepared by the team’s traveling chef alongside crew members,” a Choice Privileges spokesperson told TPG by email.

Earn Choice points to bid on NASCAR experiences

You can bid on a NASCAR experience without having enough Choice points in your account to cover the bid. However, if you have a winning bid but don’t have enough Choice points in your account to cover your bid when the auction closes, you won’t get to enjoy the experience. So, if you want to win an experience, you’ll have to ensure you have enough Choice points in your account.

Man and woman looking at a laptop — MORSA IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

You could earn Choice points quickly by buying them or transferring American Express Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards points or Wells Fargo Rewards points to Choice Privileges.

Amex Membership Rewards points and Capital One miles transfer to Choice at a 1:1 ratio, but Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Wells Fargo Rewards points transfer at a 1:2 ratio. Remember, though, that the points might not immediately reach your Choice Privileges account once you purchase or transfer. So, plan ahead if you’re serious about winning one of these experiences.

Choice Privileges and Trackhouse Racing will add new experiences throughout the 2025 season. So, if you don’t need to earn Choice points quickly, you could stay at Choice Hotels to earn more points. Alternatively, you might want to add a Choice Privileges credit card, Citi ThankYou card or Wells Fargo card to your wallet. Here’s a look at some of these cards and their current sign-up bonuses:

Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Choice Privileges® Mastercard® ($0 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card ($0 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.

By signing up for a card now and meeting the minimum spending requirements to earn the bonus, you could earn rewards to redeem toward a Trackhouse Racing experience later this season.

Bottom line

I like to redeem Choice points for hotel stays in Europe and Japan, but I expect passionate NASCAR fans will love the opportunity to bid on these experiences. Bidding will likely go high for some experiences, so start accruing Choice points or transferable points if you plan to bid on any of these NASCAR experiences.