| Michigan International Speedway | Darlington Raceway |
|---|---|
| Bristol Motor Speedway | Daytona International Speedway |
Crowds for Sunday’s race at Daytona International Speedway will well exceed 150,000
people. And while many will conveniently retire from a long day of partying before, during and after the big race to their mobile homes and RV's parked in and around the speedway, thousands more will make the short drive to one of the many Daytona Beach hotels and motels.
Chances are, if you’re thinking about heading to Daytona for Speedweeks or the 500, you’ve already made plans. If you’re within driving distance, it’ll be a lot easier to get there at this point, but hotel
availability is tightest this week, as well as other busy weeks including Bike Week. But this is the busiest week of the year, no question.
Most, if not all three- and four-star hotels in Daytona Beach are booked
solid. But you might be able to find a room at a two-star property, such as
Daytona Inn Beach Resort, which has rates starting at $225 per night. Your best bet, at this point, would be to venture outside of Daytona Beach and check out places like Lake Mary, which is a far north suburb of Orlando, or Palm Coast, which is just outside Daytona. You might also be able to find something in Ormond Beach.
If you’re going to watch from the infield, a popular spot for many, a couple of things you’ll want to remember. Get in as early as you possibly can. As you’re reading this, thousands are already
camped out and have been for some time in order to get a prime spot. You won’t have a very good view, but you can’t beat the party. If you’re at the race simply for a good time, this is the place to be. If you want to see the race or are traveling with kids, do your best to get a seat in the grandstands.
If you do wind up in the infield, the best spot to see cars zoom by close up is on turn 4.
Leaving the race, a couple of strategies. Either be ready to run the minute the race ends, and even if you do you’re going to be stuck in traffic. So your best bet is to stay in the infield and wait it out – several hours. Keep the grill going and relax, it takes a good four hours for the traffic to subside. So make the most of the experience and make some new friends. Just please don’t drink and drive.
If you don’t have, or can’t get tickets, there’s plenty to do in and around Daytona and the atmosphere around the speedway is great. Daytona USA is arguably the best racing museum you’ve seen and a great tribute to the sport. And this time of year, if you’re from anywhere outside the Sun Belt, you can’t go wrong with the beach.
If you want to escape the crowds, the best beach is New Smyrna, which is a short drive south from Daytona Beach right off of Highway 44. If you’re looking for fun and don’t want to escape the crowds, well, you won’t have a problem with that.
Traffic is heaviest on Sunday, but can certainly be problematic Thursday, Friday and Saturday also. In fact, if you happen to be in or around Orlando Sunday, don’t head eastbound toward the beaches before noon or westbound back toward Orlando from the beaches after 4. It will take you hours.
By Jim Cohn
One (1) soft-sided cooler or bag is allowed into the grandstands per ticket holder provided it fits the required size: 6”x6”x12” or smaller. NASCAR Legal Clear Bag (examples: soft-sided cooler, scanner bag, fanny pack, purse, camera bag, etc. Soft sided coolers with built in radios will be reviewed on an individual basis.)
One (1) clear plastic bag is allowed into the grandstands per ticket holder provided it fits the required size: 18”x18”x4” or smaller. NO ICE
These bags are usually available outside of the gates (Feb 2009) $20 for a clear bag
- Binoculars, scanners, headsets, cameras, not in a bag, worn separately over the neck or on the belt and seat cushions carried separately are also allowed.
- Flags are acceptable for admissions, provided they are not attached to poles and that they do not obstruct other fans viewing of racing activities. No flag poles of any type will be allowed.
- Small nationality flags attached to a pencil sized diameter wooden stick, will be allowed.
- All items brought through a Grandstand gate will be inspected.
Seat TIP! - Front Stretch - Atleast half way up the grandstands
Daytona Has A Great Fanzone - Check it out!
Daytona is a huge place and you will walk a lot! Parking is also pretty pricey around the area so be prepared ($40)
Items Fans May NOT Enter Daytona International Speedway With
- Hard sided coolers, thermos and insulated cups of any size
- No strollers, glass containers, umbrellas, scooters, skateboards, or pets (trained assistance animals for disabled guests are welcome)
- Any bags, backpacks, suitcases or containers larger than the allowable size
- Items left in or around the admission gates will be removed and discarded
NASCAR Legal Coolers are always something to keep in mind from track to track. All carry-in items will be searched prior to entry into Speedway grandstands. It is recommended that fans make their way into the gates at least one hour prior to green flag to allow proper time for inspection of these items.
What do you need to know to go to Daytona - What to pack - What not to pack - Tips - We are always looking for tips from any one that has visited Daytona International Speedway and will add any valuable information to this page along with other NASCAR tracks as well.
THIS SAT! Sept 5th
