Daytona Worldwide Speedway: How To Organize A NASCAR Fan’s Dream Trip

Does the sound of roaring thunder zooming mercilessly alongside steep banks rocket your adrenaline to the stratosphere? Do you like the odor of burning rubber to scorching bacon? Congratulations, gearhead! You’re amongst hundreds of thousands of die-hard NASCAR race followers who share that insatiable lust for pace.

There’s nothing that compares to feeling the thunder of a DAYTONA 500 race stay from the stands, sharing the passion with over 100,000 zealous followers at NASCAR’s most prestigious occasion. The noise, and the odor — sure, the odor — of pace are solely absolutely appreciated from the seats at inventory automobile racing’s religious house.

NASCAR was born right here in Daytona Seaside, at a rooftop bar just some blocks from the sandy seashore the place racers first assembled. These days, world-class Daytona Worldwide Speedway, heralded as “the prettiest speedway on this planet,” attracts hundreds of thousands of car-racing fans — together with presidents, celebrities, and racing followers similar to you!

Able to make your heart-stopping goals a actuality? Learn on, and let’s head to the races!

I used to be kindly hosted by the Daytona Seaside Space Conference & Guests Bureau, however all opinions are my very own.

Expertise Daytona Worldwide Speedway 

Let’s go straight for the gusto. That is the place all of it occurs: the pace, the noise…the fervour. Right here, pace is king, and noise is a welcome by-product. The louder, the higher. Adrenaline surges as drivers whiz previous the rumbling aluminum stands at speeds of over 200 mph. It’s an exhilarating, thrilling expertise, even for individuals who aren’t followers but.

All roads on the town result in Daytona Worldwide Speedway. In reality, it’s on Worldwide Speedway Boulevard (the identical highway as Daytona Seaside Worldwide Airport) — so it’s unimaginable to overlook. The stadium’s 101,500 seats rise triumphantly skyward, guiding followers towards its 2.5-mile landmark observe. 

Speedway Excursions

In case you’re not in a position to make it to one of many Speedway’s huge occasions, take into account the following neatest thing: a guided, 90-minute, behind-the-scenes tour of racing’s mecca.

The tram tour rambles down Pit Street, circling Lake Lloyd (the place well-known drivers are sometimes seen casting a fishing line!) as you soar alongside the observe’s infield at a whopping pace of 15 mph. Throughout stops, company climb the 31-degree excessive financial institution at Flip 3 — excessive sufficient to permit vehicles to achieve extremely excessive speeds with out — hopefully! — flipping over. (Sadly, this bend claimed the lifetime of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.)

Accessibility: The stadium could be very ADA-accessible, with 40 escalators, 17 elevators, and loads of wheelchair-accessible seats and loo amenities, however these banks might seem to be Everest even for these with out mobility challenges!

Professional Tip: Don’t overlook to convey a Sharpie, since guests are inspired to scribble their John Hancocks on the Begin/End line. Some cheeky messages learn, “Decelerate!” and “You’re going too quick!” (Sorry to burst your bubble, however the line’s repainted day by day!)

Individuals additionally enterprise by means of NASCAR garages and ascend the spectator stands whereas studying in regards to the historical past of the Speedway — from its $2.5 million inception in 1957 to its mind-blowing, $400 million makeover in 2016.

The spotlight of the tour is undeniably the chance to stroll Victory Lane — the place every winner celebrates his victory. For followers, it’s a surreal expertise following within the footsteps of racing legends.

Tour Improve Choices

VIP Excursions: 2.5-hour VIP Excursions (in snug buses) can be found. These embody a go to to the NASCAR Archives and Analysis Middle and Houston Lawing Press Field. Provided Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m.; advance reserving is really useful.

Race Automotive Trip-Alongside: For the last word thrill-seeking Daytona expertise, don’t miss the possibility to ebook a race automobile ride-along, or, higher but, race across the observe your self till the checkered flag drops!

Go to Daytona Worldwide Speedway’s tour web page and NASCARracingexperience.com for pricing and reserving data.

Professional Tip: Don’t dodge the ticket counter photograph sales space! All tour tickets embody 4 free digital pictures of your expertise (though they attempt to upsell). Positive, they’re photoshopped utilizing a considerably cheesy green-screen background, but it surely’s a enjoyable reminiscence regardless! 

How To Get DAYTONA 500 Tickets

In case you’re anxious to hitch the two million pumped-up followers who converge right here for the DAYTONA 500 every February, you had greatest plan early. Tickets routinely promote out a month upfront, lodges even sooner. The easiest way to safe tickets is by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or going to the official DAYTONA 500 occasion web page.

The 300 or 400 ranges present higher views of the observe than decrease ranges. If it’s final minute and the race is bought out, strive secondary sellers like SeatGeek. 

Professional Tip: Improve your expertise by buying Fan Zone passes. These pre-race passes admit you to the Fan Zone space within the infield in addition to the pre-race live performance.

Different Daytona Worldwide Speedway Races

In case you’re too late or too broke to attain tickets for the large race, or if large crowds dissuade you, take into account different standard races hosted at Daytona. The Bluegreen Holidays Duel 150 qualifying races are held the Thursday earlier than the five hundred. You’ll get two 150-mile races, that includes each 500 entrant, racing underneath the lights of Daytona. Night time races in August are additionally extremely popular and much much less congested. The Rolex 24 in January is one other consummate fan favourite!

The Motorsports Corridor Of Fame Of America

All Speedway excursions embody admission to the on-site Corridor of Fame, house to each type of racing automobile — inventory vehicles, sports activities vehicles, vehicles, bikes, powerboats, and planes! The constructing’s filled with tons of racing memorabilia and cup-winning vehicles — together with Richard Petty’s 1972 NASCAR champion STP Charger. You’ll additionally get an up-close have a look at the reigning DAYTONA 500 Champion Automotive — in the identical situation it left the observe! With photo-ops galore, and loads of educated volunteers, you’ll simply spend a few hours right here!

Professional Tip: Don’t miss the commemorative statues of NASCAR founder, Invoice France Sr., his spouse and son, and race champ Dale Earnhardt, outdoors the constructing or the Champion’s Stroll of Fame — that includes handprints, footprints, and cement autographs of previous 500 winners. There’s additionally a picket bench commemorating racing icon Richard Petty’s, 80^th birthday.

Off The Monitor: NASCAR Experiences Round Daytona

Streamline Lodge

Need to see — and even keep — the place all of it started? Then race over to the Streamline Lodge (roughly 10 minutes east). It was on the rooftop bar of this trendy Artwork Deco boutique resort, a hangout of celebrities, race automobile drivers, and gangsters, that Invoice France Sr. inked papers creating NASCAR.

The rooftop’s charming 360-degree view of Daytona Seaside stretches from the shores of the Atlantic, the place the earliest races have been held, to the towering stands of town’s fashionable Speedway. Newspaper clippings and black-and-white framed pictures cowl the partitions of the resort’s NASCAR-themed foyer and rooftop bar, commemorating its historic significance. Ask to see their “Al Capone” secure door for one more enjoyable shock!

Professional Tip: Many NASCAR-related conferences and occasions are nonetheless held right here, so maintain a pointy eye for visiting drivers and dignitaries! Bar opening hours fluctuate, so name forward.

The place To Eat

Racing’s North Flip

Lengthy earlier than vehicles raced round paved oval tracks of the Speedway, tires spun alongside Daytona’s sandy seashore. From 1936 to 1958, vehicles thrilled and spilled alongside a 4.1-mile seashore highway course. They’d exit the seashore, turning onto a stretch of the A1A at Ponce Inlet — the present website of Racing’s North Flip, a beachfront restaurant and bar standard with the racing crowd — and for good cause. Moreover providing nice meals with an excellent higher view, the NASCAR-themed décor and wall coverings pay tribute to the placement’s distinctive historical past. Don’t miss it!

Brickyard Lounge

Be sure you hit up Brickyard Lounge, a traditional American-style diner operated by Renny, a racing fanatic who styled his digs to rejoice his ardour. This hidden gem whips up the most effective sandwiches and burgers on the town. It’s a pit cease you shouldn’t miss!

Professional Tip: Order their ribeye steak sandwich or remorse it endlessly!

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Order the Burnt Ends (chopped brisket and pork) with three nation sides and selection of bread at 4 Rivers Smokehouse, throughout from the Speedway, and eat like a champion. This family-owned barbecue emporium is dedicated to serving to communities by means of the 4R Basis and its 4Roots sustainable meals initiatives. It’s a win-win!

Ormond Storage

Ormond Storage, a racing-themed craft brewery and eatery, pays tribute to the legendary constructing of the identical title, that, within the days of yesteryear, housed race vehicles and their drivers and mechanics. Sadly, the unique constructing burned down in 1976; there’s a historic marker at its former website on East Granada Boulevard, the place a SunTrust financial institution now stands.

The Ormond Seaside group, simply north of Daytona Seaside, is named the “birthplace of pace” and was a gathering level for auto inventors and drivers within the early 1900s.

Professional Tip: If you go to the brewery, be sure you try the cool mural out again!

Rose Villa Southern Desk

Lastly, for a really nostalgic eating expertise, head to Rose Villa Southern Desk. This cranberry-and-apple-green constructing, initially house to a circa 1901 resort (full with Victorian wallpaper), invokes the allure of a bygone period.

Professional Suggestions: Order their Bourbon BBQ Pork Chop with goat cheese grits and thank me later. Don’t miss their classic Bourbon Bar on the second ground, both!

The place To Keep

In case you don’t go for a room on the Streamline, these different Daytona Seaside choices deserve your consideration.

THE DAYTONA

THE DAYTONA (Autograph Assortment), a 144-room luxurious resort, sits conveniently throughout from the Speedway at ONE DAYTONA (a procuring and eating advanced). Racing-themed murals, race vehicles, and classic gasoline pumps adorn their foyer in addition to the adjoining Blue Flame lounge.

Max Seaside Resort

Avoid wasting cash with out sacrificing luxurious by driving 10 minutes to Max Seaside Resort, a brand-new resort, initially designed as condos, at Daytona Seaside Shores. Giant suites provide full kitchens and spectacular views. Take pleasure in oceanfront eating, too!