Mike, all the things mentioned are great advice, and there's lots more too.

I feel its best to go prepared, mentally and physically and also be well equipped. Lots of things you can do WEEKS ahead of time to prepare.

1st, have a gameplan!
what do you want to accomplish? You lookin' for 10's first time out or a nice straight launch?? You lookin' to cut a perfect lite or find your cars perfect shift point?? there's so much to this you'll only begin to learn the first time out.

Sit in the car and mentally go thru each step of the burnout, are you driving thru the water or around?? pre-stage, and stage, are you leaving on 2nd or 3rd yellow?? tbrake, footbrake?? Have you checked your tire psi, fuelpsi, ?? Make a checklist and go thru it every pass. As you accumulate data from your car and your driving skills you can then look to improve certain things like 60', rt, mph, etc.

also remember the tool you leave home will be the one you need. Its difficult if your driving the car to the track, if your trailering its much easier to bring what you need. Don't forget additional fluids for your car.

Most of all, have fun and make some friends, to me thats what racing's all about!