Josh;
If you are coming all the way from TX to your first-ever Bonneville event, forget Test-'n-Tune and plan to attend Speed Week for a few days. The Wendover hotel rooms are always booked up solid and far more expensive during this time so an RV or camping at the Bend In The Road or at the Museum Site might be your best bet. Keeping your wife happy will pay great dividends.
Our first time Bonneville trip was great- my wife & I flew to SLC where we had a reservation for a small RV and drove it to Wendover. We stayed at the KOA but these days it is booked up just like the hotels. The nice thing about an RV is that you can drive it out on the salt, park it wherever you like and wander around on foot until you feel like taking a break with some refreshment & AC. Bring old shoes that you will throw away later, lots of water, sunscreen, and BIG hats. A camera is a must.
Early Saturday morning there is a drivers' meeting that you will find interesting; I'd recommend that you attend- it helps you understand the course layout and what is going on. The Pits are a mile long and unless there is a rush to get a car ready, most teams won't mind if you look at the car or talk to the driver or crew. The key thing is not to get in the way. Don't be surprised if someone hands you a wrench and asks you to do something. It is definitely NOT like NASCAR or F1, these racers are there because they enjoy it, not because it is a business.
Enjoy your trip. I'm sure others will have more suggestions for you. You've found the right place-- this forum.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ