Anyone ever been to Daytona 500?

[DannyG]

If there is anyone who has been to the Daytona 500 or something similar, I'd love to hear what your thoughts on it are.  I'm thinking of taking my boys along to one and wondered if it was worth it.  Also, what sort of seets are the ones to avoid? Any tips and pitfalls would be very much appreciated.

Cheers and thanks to anyone who posts a reply.

DannyG

[Chryco Psycho]

been there / Daytona in Feb , good show , racing everyday for a week   .Don't sit too low , you cannot see the other side of the track , I sat just before the finish line & near the pit entrance

[Lightning]

been there / Daytona in Feb , good show , racing everyday for a week   .Don't sit too low , you cannot see the other side of the track , I sat just before the finish line & near the pit entrance

Yeah, the Oldfield stands are pretty good halfway up and higher.  While the backstretch..err..."Superstretch" seats are ok, it's better to get the ones on the frontstretch.   For cheaper hotels, head down here to New Smyrna, you'll probably save about $100 or so.  And a tip from a local: if you want to make it to the track by noon, leave at 8am, the traffic's terrible on race day.



Also, if you like pretty good short-track racing, the local track has events going on during all 9 nights of Speedweeks.   

[DannyG]

Thanks guys.  This is good info - just the sort I was after.  I've also had a look on the Daytona website and they have a really cool pick your seets tool that allows you to get some idea of the view you'd have.  The Petty stand looks good as does the high seating coming out of turn four.  I think that in regard to the D500, alot of that stuff has already been sold, though, so I might need to look at others.   Thats why I'm so grateful for the feedback from you guys so far.  Much appreciated.

Cheers,

DannyG

[Lightning]

which seats does it say that are left?   The Earnhardt and Roberts stands are a pretty good buy as well.

[NHCharger]

Went there with my Dad two years ago. Didn't stay for the 500 but went to all the others. Best seats are a quarter mile after the start/finish, half way up IMO.
Couple of observations.
Be prepared to stand in line for everything.
Obnoxious Jr. fans are everywhere.
The number of fat women in spandex will make you 
All the pretty girls are down in the pit area.
Your selection of drinks are beer or pepsi products, they won't give you a cover for your drink because their concerned the lid will blow out onto the track with the other 500 pounds of trash on the track. keep the top of your drink covered so the beer, pepsi and other fluids that are dripping down from the stands above don't fall into your drink.
Your choice of foods are limited to corndogs, hotdogs, cheesedogs, steakdogs, etc. On the second day my Dad and I bought subs and snacks before we went to the track. The people sitting next to us couldn't believe what a clever idea that was , yup the I.Q. count is pretty low in some areas.
AND, if you go to the truck race at night, dress appropriately. It was 42º with a wind chill of 30º. Being from NH I was comfy but the people around us froze their ass off.

[dkn1997]

you hit on the head with the women.  Very shady.  you would think there would me more good looking ones.
Iv'e gone the last 2 years.  We always stay about an hour from the track.  stayed at disney last year, more than an hour.  If you really want to avoid the traffic, leave by 5:30-6am.  you will cruise right in.  We rented a minivan with a DVD player, so we got there very early, but watched movied, slept, drank booze (went with the guys, no wives or kids) whatever.  also, if you want to avoid traffic when leaving (you won't avoid it right near the track)  take the highway that runs along the coast, not too many people do that.

[andy74]

ive been every year since 97,and i have always had a good time,with the exception of when waltrip one,and thats because it was raining so freaking hard that i caught a cold on my way back to the car-stay towards the inland side of the state and leave early to get there,i usually leave my mom and dads house about 6 am,on a normal day its an hour drive,but race day its a 4 hour ordeal.if your kids are small id recomend leaving them home,its a long day for little ones

[DannyG]

Excellent stuff folks!  Many  thanks for all your posts and good advice - I'm taking it all in.

Cheers,

DannyG

[Shakey]

Make sure you find some time to get to "Hog Heaven" for a meal.  Great BBQ right in the heart of Daytona!   

[Lord Warlock]

Me and the wife went with friends once, the friends went every year and they had extra tickets one year.  Anyway, be prepared for a long walk from the parking areas, usually in herd like crowds.  Once in the stands, be prepared to stand up almost the entire race as the crowds for some reason think they can see better if they stand up.  We spent the night before in a campground (tent) which wasn't bad, the people were all great there.  Overall, it was worth going to once.  I for one wasn't interested in going back again though, my lower back was in agony after standing up for so long, then having to walk back to the car (close to a mile away).  I go to the daytona track for car shows every 4 to 5 years, they have one the weekend after thanksgiving and another one in the spring, and fill up the entire infield, usually around 5000-8000 cars present. 

If your kids are at the age where they can walk for a healthy distance, and stand up for a few hours, they'll probably enjoy it alot.  If they are too young though, carrying them will become a burden.  You used to be able to carry coolers and stuff in with you, not sure if that still applies after 9/11 though. 

Lord Warlock

[dkn1997]

yes, you can still bring coolers in.  there is a size limit, but they don't really enforce it unless you are dragging one in that can hold a tuna.  also, for the women, buy a clear plastic backpack.  I think that's all you can bring anyway, even if it is not, still saves time on the strip search

[DannyG]

Thanks again for the good info guys.  I have 2 kids I was thinking of taking.  A 10 year old and a 4 year old - both boys.  I'm thinking now that I'll head in for one of the smaller events or the car shows Warlock mentioned.  Just to get a taste of it without it being a huge thing that might end up in tears before bedtime.

Thanks again,

Danny G

[Lord Warlock]

If you can get tickets, i'd recommend going and taking the kids.  If the kids were 10-16 yrs old it shouldn't be much problem, i don't think i'd want to take a toddler though.  If you just want to see the track and get a feel for it, by all means go to the turkey rod run the weekend after thanksgiving.  There is another big show in the spring time (march or april) for later model cars. 

[MichaelRW]

Is tailgating, e.g., BBQ, etc. permitted in the parking lot before the race?

[dkn1997]

Is tailgating, e.g., BBQ, etc. permitted in the parking lot before the race?

Not only permitted, it's like the religion there

[Lord Warlock]

the turkey rod run in november is a great place to look for parts, lots and lots of vendors show up.  It is mainly geared towards older cars built before 1980, the spring show is more for street machines, some muscle cars and more modern rice rods.  I used to go to the rod run every year, nowadays i go about every 3 to 5 years, as my car show buddy passed away a couple years back, noone to go with unless its a car club. 

At the 500, tailgating is almost required, but you won't be parking anywhere near the front of the speedway, we parked almost a mile away and walked to the track.  The crowd we were in was at least 300 people walking down the roadway.  There are tailgating parties going on wherever folks park their cars though. 

[andy74]

i am just finishing the plans for this year,may even take my wife-so some one will be sober to drive us home

[70charginglizard]

I wish

[DannyG]

I'd love to know what "tailgating" is.  I've not heard the term used here in Australia but I'm guessing by the posts above its some kind of gathering.  If anyone can shed some light on my dim understanding of the term, that'd be great.

Cheers

DanyG

[Vainglory, Esq.]

The term comes from the flip-down tailgates of trucks, and yeah, it's a gathering, pretty much always at/before sporting events.  Plan on lots of beers and bring a barbecue and radio/CD player.