The Flags are
Waving in Daytona Beach
February
10th, 2006
|
 |
|
Race Flags |
|
Gentlemen, start your engines and
ladies, grab your beach bag. It's NASCAR time in Daytona Beach, Florida.
2006 is already wooing a track full of die-hard race car drivers and
fans are pulling up trackside to get a glimpse of the action. Make sure
you're there in 2006 for non-stop excitement at every turn on the track!
The season begins with the
forty-fourth Rolex 24 which kicks off the 2006 Grand American Rolex
Sports Car Series on the weekend of January 26-29. Considered one of the
most prestigious endurance races, the entry list features 73 entries
which will exceed the 2005 entry list by eleven cars. Benny Parsons will
act as the Grand Marshall for this event.
On February 11, 2006, the
Budweiser Shootout will start their ‘run’ followed by the Daytona
500 Pole Qualifying run. The Shootout represents the beginning of
Speed Week at Daytona, ending with the Daytona 500. On February 18,
the Hershey's Kissable kicks off the NASCAR Busch Series for 2006.
In between are truck races and other events to keep every race fan
in total bliss.
On February 19, Daytona Beach hosts
the Daytona 500, one of the great American traditions in NASCAR racing.
The race begins at 2 p.m. Eastern and runs for 500 laps on the
world-famous track. Of course, all the big names will be entered in the
race, including Jeff Gordon, Tony Steward and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. This
year holds a special treat because Bill Elliot has come out of
retirement to return for this race. Elliot left full-time racing in
2003, only running a few races in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Of
course, Dale Jr. is a favorite in this race. His father, Dale Earnhardt,
Sr. died in a freak accident during the Daytona 500 in the 2001 race.
Since its beginning in 1959, the
Daytona 500 has been one of the most popular races ever held. The
television ratings for this event indicate that it is one of the
most-watched sports events, surpassing even the Super Bowl! As the
first race of the Nextel Cup Series (in addition to being the first
biggest race of the year), the fan's race to obtain tickets is
phenomenal.
The Daytona 500 is a direct offshoot
of a race once held on the sands of Daytona Beach. After the 1959
opening of the Daytona International Speedway, the race as we know it
continues to grow.
That very first Daytona 500 was won
by Lee Petty, father of Richard Petty. The win was most interesting
because Johnny Beauchamp was initially announced as the winner after
both Petty and Beauchamp lapped Joe Weatherly on the final lap. Three
days later, after reviewing photographs and video of the finish, the
call was overthrown and Petty was announced as the official winner of
that first Daytona 500. His son, Richard, has won the Daytona 500 seven
times during his career and holds the record for the most wins for this
particular racing event.
The qualifying for the Daytona
500 is unique in that teams must race their way into the field
instead of taking qualifying laps. The first row is set through one
round of qualifying that usually occurs one week in advance of the
actual race. The remainder of the field is established by qualifying
races of 150 miles. During 2004 and before, the qualifying races
were 125 miles.
After
the Daytona 500, Wisk Presents the Daytona 500 After-Party which
includes a dinner buffet, complimentary soft drinks, a cash bar, live
entertainment and much, much more. You must purchase advance tickets to
attend this party. ConAgra hosts the Monday morning Champion's Breakfast
event which features car induction festivities, a buffet breakfast, and
more. This event also requires advance purchase of a ticket. The
Champion's Breakfast marks the official end of Speed Week at Daytona.
Access to the Daytona International Speedway is simple and easy from the
north and south via Interstate-95 which lies within two miles of the
race track. Interstate-4 provides access from the west while U.S.
Highway 1 provides a scenic drive from the north and south.
While visiting Daytona Beach, you'll want to take a drive along the
white sand beaches, one of the only remaining beaches in Florida that
permit driving on the sand. These beautiful beaches extend for miles and
provide a unique experience for anyone who has never had the joy of
driving alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Just don't leave your car parked
on the sand too close to the water at low tide. Every week, cars must be
towed onto shore when the high tide floods them.
During Speed Week, accommodations can be hard to find unless you have
made reservations well in advance. Many race fans book reservations and
purchase their race tickets a full year in advance. The ocean-front
hotels, of course, fill up first as do those closest to the Speedway.
For those who desire very affordable housing for the week, nearby towns
offer plenty of accommodations within one-half hour's drive from the
track. Even Orlando with all its plush hotels is only forty-five minutes
away on Interstate-4.
Camping is a popular solution to the accommodations problem during Speed
Week. There are numerous campgrounds in the area within a few miles of
the race track and the cost of renting a campsite for the week is very
affordable. Because of Central Florida's mild weather, camping poses a
viable solution. The nights may require a few blankets, however, but
most of the daytime temperatures are quite comfortable. Many of the
hard-core race enthusiasts bring campers, vans and motor homes,
purchasing infield tickets and parking for the entire week. Every
evening, cookouts in the infield bring the smells of steaks, hot dogs
and hamburgers to the air. Those gathered in the infield party with
others from all over the country both day and night, having a thoroughly
great time while enjoying the races.
If you have never been to a Daytona 500 to hear those famous words,
"Gentlemen, start your engines", you will never forget the experience.
Not only will you enjoy the races, but the entire city of Daytona Beach
will provide memories for years to come.
F.
Penn
This article was
written by F. R. Penn sponsored by
http://www.stubhub.com/. Searching for those hard to find
theater tickets? Look no further than StubHub where fans buy and
sell the hottest theater, sports and event tickets. Reproductions of
this article are encouraged but must include a link back to
http://www.stubhub.com/
Common keywords and misspellings: Nacar rasing tikets
raceing fan news day-tona beech raceway 44th Rolix twenty-four
sports-cars serie serries tickiting buy puchase
|
RSS Feed to all of our News
