Question from Daytona newbie

#1
lawgator1

lawgator1

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#1
I've lived in Florida my whole life, and in Orlando for 17 years. Finally making it over to DIS for the Coke Zero 400 this Saturday. Race time 7:30 pm. Good seats, up high in the Sprint Tower.

Two questions for those in the know:

1) I realize driving back is going to be looooonnnggggg. How about on the way over via I-4? Recommendation on how early in the day to head over?

2) Parking. Airport wants $50. Some outfit running a place in K-mart lets you prepay for $27.50. The speedway website lists a "Lot 7" with a shuttle, but that puts you on the east side of the race, which means that you are in the back of the pack trying to leave.

I don't mind paying the $50 if it means getting home an hour earlier. On the other hand, if there are better options ....

Suggestions?
 
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#2
#2
On race day, I'd get there at least 3-4 hours before the race so you can check out the souvenirs (sp). There are lots of trucks selling various items for each driver.
 
#3
#3
TennFan said:
On race day, I'd get there at least 3-4 hours before the race so you can check out the souvenirs (sp). There are lots of trucks selling various items for each driver.
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Meh, we aren't big race fans. I can name maybe 3 drivers. She can't name any. Just the experience of going over. Especially for a night time race.

Who should we root for?
 
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#5
#5
They should have free parking and shuttles. They did for the 500.

How long do you want to "tailgate?" I'd say get there at least 2 hours prior to the start of the race.
 
#14
#14
Kyle-Busch-wins-second-duel.
 
#15
#15
Scanner, scanner, scanner.

Don't forget to rent a scanner or a fanview, listen to #20 Matt Kenseth (he's a very smart racer) and you'll have a GREAT time!!!

There is nothing like the smell of race fuel and the actual the speed of the draft. I envy you.

Have fun!!!
 
#17
#17
SpecialKVolfan20 said:
Scanner, scanner, scanner.

Don't forget to rent a scanner or a fanview, listen to #20 Matt Kenseth (he's a very smart racer) and you'll have a GREAT time!!!

There is nothing like the smell of race fuel and the actual the speed of the draft. I envy you.

Have fun!!!
Click to expand...
I love the fuel, noise, and colors. But a scanner has never done it for me. After a dozen times or so listening in, it just doesn't do much for me.
 
#19
#19
Yankee_Vol said:
They should have free parking and shuttles. They did for the 500.

How long do you want to "tailgate?" I'd say get there at least 2 hours prior to the start of the race.
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You tailgate for 3 days then monday you ask someone who won the race.:) Now thats the way we did it in the late 70s and early 80s.
 
#21
#21
Trip report:

1) Left an hour later than planned (chicks, what are you gonna do?) and was worried about traffic, but no issues at all.

2) Saw parking for anywhere between $20 and $60. Paid $40 to park in a hotel parking lot right off the main street by the track.

3) Dropped into a restaurant on the corner and grabbed a drink or two, watched a band for a bit. They were pretty good.

4) Crossed over to the track and they had this pretty ginormous thing going on, a few bands and of course lots of car and tire manufacturers with interesting things to show, little rides and stuff. One was a little track made of hay and they had motorized coolers you could race your friend. Another was a gigantic (like 150 foot tall) board with spikes in it, put on by Goodyear, and you dropped a tire down and it rolled around to the bottom and you'd win a prize. Like Plinko on Price is Right. Lots of race car duplicates for pictures.

5) Track and stadium are huge. Took awhile to get in, but seats large and comfy, plenty of leg room. Beers weren't cheap at $6 each.

6) We were high enough up that we did not need ear protection, though I'd brought some with me. Pretty cool at the start and what kind of surprises you is that they go around a couple of times with the pace car and its loud and all but not that remarkable, then the pace car goes off (we were between the entry to pit road and the finish line) and then its suddenly VERY loud.

7) There was a car, # 33, who very quickly found himself a quarter, then a half, then a full lap back. The pack stayed pretty close, but he had either lost the draft or had an issue, and we sort of adopted him just to catch up because the whole back would come by and then about 10 seconds later this one car by itself would come by.

8) Had a guy sitting next to us who is a complete NASCAR junkie, but luckily not obnoxious about it. Knew all the rules, the drivers, who's pit crew was good at what. So we occasionally asked him questions and he'd give us the low down. Was helpful.

9) We weren't rooting for a particular driver and we were kind of tired and a bit buzzed, so we scooted at around lap 120 of 160. I know, lame, but we wanted to get back to Orlando. Got out with no hassles at all and no traffic back to Orlando.

I can see how it can be addictive. Not sure I'll go again -- probably if the circumstances are right -- but I'm glad I did it.
 
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#23
#23
lawgator1 said:
Trip report:

1) Left an hour later than planned (chicks, what are you gonna do?) and was worried about traffic, but no issues at all.

2) Saw parking for anywhere between $20 and $60. Paid $40 to park in a hotel parking lot right off the main street by the track.

3) Dropped into a restaurant on the corner and grabbed a drink or two, watched a band for a bit. They were pretty good.

4) Crossed over to the track and they had this pretty ginormous thing going on, a few bands and of course lots of car and tire manufacturers with interesting things to show, little rides and stuff. One was a little track made of hay and they had motorized coolers you could race your friend. Another was a gigantic (like 150 foot tall) board with spikes in it, put on by Goodyear, and you dropped a tire down and it rolled around to the bottom and you'd win a prize. Like Plinko on Price is Right. Lots of race car duplicates for pictures.

5) Track and stadium are huge. Took awhile to get in, but seats large and comfy, plenty of leg room. Beers weren't cheap at $6 each.

6) We were high enough up that we did not need ear protection, though I'd brought some with me. Pretty cool at the start and what kind of surprises you is that they go around a couple of times with the pace car and its loud and all but not that remarkable, then the pace car goes off (we were between the entry to pit road and the finish line) and then its suddenly VERY loud.

7) There was a car, # 33, who very quickly found himself a quarter, then a half, then a full lap back. The pack stayed pretty close, but he had either lost the draft or had an issue, and we sort of adopted him just to catch up because the whole back would come by and then about 10 seconds later this one car by itself would come by.

8) Had a guy sitting next to us who is a complete NASCAR junkie, but luckily not obnoxious about it. Knew all the rules, the drivers, who's pit crew was good at what. So we occasionally asked him questions and he'd give us the low down. Was helpful.

9) We weren't rooting for a particular driver and we were kind of tired and a bit buzzed, so we scooted at around lap 120 of 160. I know, lame, but we wanted to get back to Orlando. Got out with no hassles at all and no traffic back to Orlando.

I can see how it can be addictive. Not sure I'll go again -- probably if the circumstances are right -- but I'm glad I did it.
Click to expand...

Glad you enjoyed it. I really think finding a driver you like would help even more. Very hard in racing to follow without a rooting interest, IMO.

Yeah, racing is about the only sporting event that is BYOB, you people need to take advantage of that!
 
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