Going to Daytona 500, advice please

D

derek

Guest
Hey Guys,
Ill be going to the Daytona 500. Its actually going to be my first race!

I was looking to hear from people who've been there before.

I read that you can bring a cooler filled with your own food and alcohol to your seats? When I seen this I said to myself this cant possibly be true. maybe it was referring to the tailgating?

I was also wondering about the accessibility/getting there. I have a hotel on Ormond beach. I'm planning on drinking so ill for sure be taking a taxi back. should we take a taxi to the downtown area then walk the rest of the way? I heard the streets are filled with people partying and such so there is lots to do as you walk to the race?

As for the race itself or the raceway, any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.
p.s I did buy ear protection already

thanks
 
derek said:
Hey Guys,
Ill be going to the Daytona 500. Its actually going to be my first race!

I was looking to hear from people who've been there before.

I read that you can bring a cooler filled with your own food and alcohol to your seats? When I seen this I said to myself this cant possibly be true. maybe it was referring to the tailgating?

I was also wondering about the accessibility/getting there. I have a hotel on Ormond beach. I'm planning on drinking so ill for sure be taking a taxi back. should we take a taxi to the downtown area then walk the rest of the way? I heard the streets are filled with people partying and such so there is lots to do as you walk to the race?

As for the race itself or the raceway, any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.
p.s I did buy ear protection already

thanks
Click to expand...
My first piece of advice would be to get out there early. Like 7/8 am early. This is our super bowl so traffic and people will be a plenty once it hits about 10am. Plus, the earlier you get out there the more time you give yourself to enjoy the full race day experience. Plenty of displays, merchandise, and so on to occupy your time even if you didn't tailgate.

I usually park at the Best Buy/bank directly across from the track. They will likely charge you about $50 to park there for the 500, but it's definitely worth it IF you plan to tailgate as it makes coming and going from the fan experience area outside the track a piece of cake. The track is surrounded by a bunch of businesses and restaurants like Target, Hooters, and Best Buy as I mentioned, so in these lots is where you'll see people doing their tailgating.

You are correct on the cooler. Can be 14×14×14 (they actually will let you slide with coolers a few inches larger also). Each person is allowed that, and a backpack. As long as you don't have glass in it you can bring in virtually anything drink/food wise - this is pretty much the policy at all of the tracks. And even if you had to buy from concessions at some point the prices aren't near as bad as other sporting events.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions I can answer. Been going there for 22 years now. I will tell you since the remodel, there isn't a better place to watch a race, the facilities are 1000000000% superb. Each chair has a cup holder and about twice the amount of leg room and storage space under them as you would find in other sporting venues. Escaltaors to get you in and out smoothly...it's completely fan friendly.

Oh and have a hell of a time!
 
derek said:
Hey Guys,
Ill be going to the Daytona 500. Its actually going to be my first race!

I was looking to hear from people who've been there before.

I read that you can bring a cooler filled with your own food and alcohol to your seats? When I seen this I said to myself this cant possibly be true. maybe it was referring to the tailgating?

I was also wondering about the accessibility/getting there. I have a hotel on Ormond beach. I'm planning on drinking so ill for sure be taking a taxi back. should we take a taxi to the downtown area then walk the rest of the way? I heard the streets are filled with people partying and such so there is lots to do as you walk to the race?

As for the race itself or the raceway, any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.
p.s I did buy ear protection already

thanks
Click to expand...
Talk to the hotel receptionist, there is a race day cab service from the beach hotels to the track, I don't remember the cost but it was too much.

As far as coolers, they just have to meet a size requirements and be soft sided, otherwise pack them with whatever.

Also be ready for every weather event, rain, tornadoes, below freezing temperatures, wind, heat, etc. Later in the afternoon the weather gets chilly, especially if the winds blows off ocean.
 
ill be coming up from the Orlando area...what kind of traffic should I expect on that hwy and in town early in the morning?

What about the ONOH fanzone pre-race... its 99$ a ticket but looks like you can do a few cool things. is it worth it? im with my wife so she may not think the stuff is as fun lol. I can also see one problem with that is if there are so many other people who have those prerace tickets then it would cheapen the experience of the track walk or things like that if all your doing is waiting around in crowds and struggling to have your own experiences.

and awesome tips, thanks a bunch! It sounds amazing. Ive been to hockey and football games and usually the venue is the biggest complaint. Seems like they have their sh*t together at Daytona!
 
side note... better to take hwy 429/4 to Daytona or 528/95 ? the latter seems to be longer but maybe less traffic and such?
 
You first said you are staying on Ormond Beach and asked about a taxi, then I see you are coming from Orlando...so I am bit confused about your travel plans. I lived in Orlando for 30 years and went to Daytona many times. If I was going for the 500, I would leave around 5:00 a.m. Taking 429/4 at that time would be your best bet. I know they are doing construction on both I-4 and I-95, so either could present a bit of a problem. Since you should be going early do as ADouble24 says and get a place to park as close to the track as possible. It will cost you, but if you can afford it, the time before the race will be much more enjoyable. You can leave all your race gear and tailgate gear at the car, walk to the trailers/sponsors area and enjoy all the early pre-race activities without lugging everything around with you. Return to your vehicle, eat/tailgate/party, then gather your race gear and head back to the track for the race.

Not sure about that taxi thing to Ormond, but I would think it would be expensive and problematic especially after the race. Just go back to your car and rest up, maybe grill something to eat, sober up and after a few hours drive out of there.

The fanzone and pre-race walk is cool, especially if you have never been down in the infield or on the track at Daytona. But don't have high expectations that you are going to be up close and personal with the cars/drivers/CC, etc. and it will be crowded. They will have you keep a distance. If you are going to all this expense already, get those tickets too. Your wife might enjoy all the pre-race activities as much as the race.

For the race, Daytona is big...depending on your seats and the placement of the jumbotrons, you will probably be doing a dance of watching the cars on the track and on the jumbotron. It's easy to lose track of a specific car on the backstretch. I personally stopped packing binoculars and headphones and try to just enjoy the race as it develops. It's funny how I see people fumbling with their radios or other electronics and not even watching the race. But that's their preference and how they enjoy it by seeing and hearing things I don't.

The facilities after the remodel are absolutely awesome! Keep your fingers crossed the ma nature cooperates and worse case scenario give yourself a buffer to go back on Monday, should it be rained out.

Any other specific questions...ask.
 
Uber to and from the track for the 500 is the easiest option if you plan on drinking. Just have your driver get you close to the speedway and then get out and walk. There are restaurants across the street from the speedway that have outdoor bars and drink specials and lots of people tailgating in the parking lots of the malls. The traffic on and coming from 4 is always the most congested so I would leave very, very early if you're coming in from Orlando the day of the race. Give yourself time to walk around inside the speedway, lots going on and great people watching. Never done the fan zone but I would get fanvision, especially since it's your first race. Listening to the communication between NASCAR officials, teams and drivers is one of the best parts of being at the track for me. Have fun!
 
To get in the mood, I'd recommend a meal at Racing's North Turn. The restaurant sits, appropriately enough, on the north turn of the old beach-and-road course and has lots of racing memorabilia.
 
I have about 13 races in at Daytona. Split between the 24hr and the 500. Like others have said
and these have logistically worked for me:

1. Figure out your parking and get there when it opens.
Park on the side of the stadium where your seats are.

2. Review the policies of what you can take inside.
One that got me was a hard cooler no matter the size.

3. What ever you do and go before the race try to get to your
seats an hour before the race min.

4 Make sure you bring a good FM radio with ear buds then
put headphone type ear protection over that. You will thank me
when you are trying to sleep that nite and your ears are not ringing.

5.I am a scanner guy . I have 2. Now a days you can rent them
from a racing radio trailer. Its cool listening to drivers ,their spotters
and crew chief.

6. The second a caution comes out, head for the bathroom if needed.

7. If you have time after the checker flag, head toward the middle of
the stadium to get a better look at the winners circle festivities.

8. If this is your very first race, it may be worth it to scope out a
a couple of empty seats on the first row next to the fence and
sit there for 10 minutes to get a feel for the power and speed.

9. Pack 2 cheap ponchos.

10. Prepare to catch the fever and load your house with collectibles!
 
AdoubleU24 said:
My first piece of advice would be to get out there early. Like 7/8 am early. This is our super bowl so traffic and people will be a plenty once it hits about 10am. Plus, the earlier you get out there the more time you give yourself to enjoy the full race day experience. Plenty of displays, merchandise, and so on to occupy your time even if you didn't tailgate.

I usually park at the Best Buy/bank directly across from the track. They will likely charge you about $50 to park there for the 500, but it's definitely worth it IF you plan to tailgate as it makes coming and going from the fan experience area outside the track a piece of cake. The track is surrounded by a bunch of businesses and restaurants like Target, Hooters, and Best Buy as I mentioned, so in these lots is where you'll see people doing their tailgating.

You are correct on the cooler. Can be 14×14×14 (they actually will let you slide with coolers a few inches larger also). Each person is allowed that, and a backpack. As long as you don't have glass in it you can bring in virtually anything drink/food wise - this is pretty much the policy at all of the tracks. And even if you had to buy from concessions at some point the prices aren't near as bad as other sporting events.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions I can answer. Been going there for 22 years now. I will tell you since the remodel, there isn't a better place to watch a race, the facilities are 1000000000% superb. Each chair has a cup holder and about twice the amount of leg room and storage space under them as you would find in other sporting venues. Escaltaors to get you in and out smoothly...it's completely fan friendly.

Oh and have a hell of a time!
Click to expand...
I can vouche for this, went to the Rolex race this year my first one. Actually my second time to Daytona, I went to the 400 in 2015. Since the remodel, it truly is a first class facility. The escalators are clutch, the fan zone is AMAZING with the ability to watch the crews work while fans stand on top of the garages. We parked for the Rolex across the street behind the new Bass Pro that is being built. Have a great time, as a racing fan for me it was surreal to be at Daytona. It's just like watching countless races TV and all the video games I played, such a great place. I hope to go back in July for the 400 again
 
Sorry about the confusion. I'm coming from Orlando area on Raceday. But Im staying on Ormond beach that night. I wanted to park the car at the hotel and go from there. there's no possible way ill ever sober up to drive back to the hotel. lol I think Ill just have to suffer with lugging around racegear and beer/food and not have my car there.. If were allowed a backpack each + cooler. then it shouldn't be a problem.
I think my wife wants to leave Orlando at 6:30am. maybe ill convince her to do at least 6am. that should be ok i hope.

I'm assuming there is wifi at the track? for purposes of hearing what's going on there must be something I can use with my iphone?

Hopefully mother nature does cooperate. my buffer isn't very good. I have a baby daughter whom my in-laws will be watching for us during our mini trip to Daytona. Then I leave back to the Great White North on Tuesday. If it got rescheduled to Monday Id have to not drink then head back to Orlando after the race, which isn't a big deal i guess.

Not to worried about the cold winds off the ocean.. ;) Its like -25C/-10F here right now and just snowed 2 feet in the last 2 days. lol

I believe im in section 108... row 16. pretty close to the track. After buying my tickets someone told me in Nascar the better the seats the further away from the track you are. So hopefully that doesn't ruin the experience.

I'm so excited, if everyone there is as friendly as everyone on this forum then nothing to worry about!
 
derek said:
...I believe im in section 108... row 16. pretty close to the track. After buying my tickets someone told me in Nascar the better the seats the further away from the track you are. So hopefully that doesn't ruin the experience....
Click to expand...
As a guideline, you usually get the best view from the highest seats. The higher up you are, the more of the track you can see and the less likely to have your view blocked by buildings in the infield. That's a guideline, but it varies by track. That's why the ticket prices are the opposite of most other sports - closest is usually cheapest. On the other hand, there are those folks who like to sit right down on the bottom row and let the airflow beat them around. :rolleyes:

But I wouldn't worry about it for your first race. You're going to be too overwhelmed with sensory input to absorb all of it anyway. :) Just make a mental note for the future to get the highest seats you can afford. That's a guideline, but it does vary by track. At some tracks it's critical, at others it doesn't make much difference, and all seats at Indianapolis suck. :p Ask us here; for each track, there're people who have been there multiple times and can recommend the sections to prefer or avoid.
 
Derek - In my book, any seat at the track is a good seat. What's nice about your seats
is you are going to be up close and personal with the final moves for the win coming out
of turn 4. You will also get to see them slow down the cars as they prepare to pit which
is always cool. Definitely get over the head ear protection headphone style being that
close to the track.

Little story about my first Nascar race which was the Daytona 500 , 1982. Yes that was
35 years ago. Did I just say that? Anyhow, back then , they allowed walking on the pavement
next to the fence/wall of the track. This is how you got to the lower level seats and you could
stand next to the fence and watch for a while . We walked along the fence up towards turn 4
and noticed a big opening in the fence for tv cameras . Since the cars were just practicing, there were
no cameras, just us. So being an immortal 21 yr old back then, I did what came instinctively to
do and stuck my head through the opening to get a good look. All I can remember
is seeing Kyle Petty drafting Cale Yarborough full speed and 20 ft from my head. My
motorsports baptism was completed that moment.

Have a great trip! :cheers:
 
Derek, If you are driving to Ormond from Orlando then doing Uber to the track you really really need to work on getting your wife up earlier than 6:30. If you leave at 6:30 you will be in more traffic, possibly a back up on I-4. In that case you might want to look at running up to Ormond through Deland. If you get to Ormond by 8:30 maybe later, then coordinating with Uber I don't see how you can get to the track before traffic and crowds will probably be a big issue. You might be OK with that because you still have hours before the race starts...You will most likely find there is more to do and see than you have time for. Time will go by very quickly. In my book, I have never been to a track to early.

I hope you report back and let us all know how everything works out. I can say I am only providing you my opinion and since I am an old geezer it might not work for you.
 
On the upside for you.... the roads are much improved and the traffic flow is better than the older days..... and the attendance is only half of what it used to be.... so...... it should be no problem..... :rolleyes:........... lol..........
 
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