Daytona 500
Ok, I am going to tell all of you that I was not a NASCAR fan; however I do have the need for speed. Anything fast: motorcycles; cars; boats; roller coasters, you name it. I am a speed junkie!!! Before I attended my first NASCAR race I really wasn’t all that impressed, but I am here to let you know that I am now hooked, not only on the speed but the danger of this sport. Anyway, enough with my addictions, let’s talk about the ins and outs of the Daytona 500 and Daytona Beach!
Where are you going?
Now, there are a couple of ways to get to the track depending on where you are coming from. Since hotels book up like mad all over the state for this event, I am going to give you a couple of different routes.
From the Daytona Beach area
Frontstrech ticket holders: From the A1A take any of the US-1 bridges to Mason Ave. Go west on Mason Ave. to Clyde Morris Blvd. Go north on Clyde Morris Blvd. to lot #7. If you are turn 2 ticket holders then you will be parking in lot #10. To get to lot#10, go about ½ mile further on Clyde Morris to the Bellevue Extension, take Bellevue Extension west 2 miles to lot#10.
From Orlando
Frontstrech ticket holders: Get on the I-4, go east to SR44, which is exit 118, go east on SR44 to US-1. Take the US-1 north to SR400/Beville Rd. Take the SR400 west to Clyde Morris Blvd. go north on Clyde Morris Blvd. to access lot #7. If you are turn 2 ticket holders then you will be parking in lot #10. To get to lot#10 go about ½ mile further on Clyde Morris to the Bellevue Extension, take Bellevue Extension west 2 miles to lot#10.
From Jacksonville
Frontstrech ticket holders: Take the I-95 south to US-1, exit 273, go south on US-1 to SR40. Take SR40 west to Clyde Morris Blvd. Go south on Clyde Morris Blvd. to parking lot #7. If you are turn 2 ticket holders then you will be parking in lot #10. To get to lot#10 go about ½ mile further on Clyde Morris to the Bellevue Extension, take Bellevue Extension west 2 miles to lot#10.
FYI- Lots 10 and 7 are free parking lots and you can also take the shuttle to the track, which leads me to my next topic.
Parking at DIS
I am just going to go down the list in numerical order.
Lot 2
This is the infield parking lot. You will need a parking pass, credential, ticket and/or a fee.
Lot 3
This is the speedplex office park complex and also requires a parking pass. You can access this lot off of Bill France Blvd.
Lot 7
This is for frontstretch ticket holders, open Feb 7 th and the 12 th through the 15 th, on the corner of Bill France Blvd and Clyde Morris Blvd. Lot 7 is free parking and shuttle before and after the race.
Lot 8
This lot is for self-contained Specialty Vehicles. A parking pass, ticket, etc., is also required. This lot is on the west side of the speedway which is the location for turns 1 and 2.
Lot 10
This is the lot for Superstretch ticket holders, open only on the 14 th and 15 th. Located on the southeast corner of Williamson Blvd. and Bellevue Extension, this lot also offers the free parking and shuttle before and after the race.
Park and Ride
Park and rides are extremely convenient; this one provides access to and from the speedway from your off-site parking lots and it is free of charge. The park and ride service at DIS is provided for lots 10 and 7.
Disabled Parking
Disabledparking is available in lots 1 and 6. Lot 1 is on the front side of the speedway and lot 6 is on the backstretch side of the speedway. You will be required to show a parking pass or a disabled permit/license plate in order to park in these lots. Disabled parking spaces will also be available in lots 10 and 7.
For more information on parking, policies and camping please visit the DIS official website.
YAY Time!!!
Make a Weekend of it
Don’t just go for the big race, you should go for the fun stuff too. There are quite a few events before the actual Daytona 500 with plenty of action. The Gatorade Duel is on February 12 th and is two 150 mile races that determine the starting line up of the Daytona 500. Competition is fierce as teams struggle to get a prime starting spot for the Daytona 500. On the 13 th of February is the World Truck Series in which drivers use tough trucks to battle a grueling 100 laps under the lights of Daytona International Speedway. The last pre-race event is the Nationwide Series. This race puts the Nationwide stars and the Sprint stars head to head in a 120 lap, 300 mile race.
Where to Stay
If you aren’t going rustic and staying in an RV for the Daytona 500 then you might want to check these hotels out.
I picked this hotel because not everybody will be going to Daytona Beach for just the Daytona 500. If you are going to Florida for an all around vacation and want to do more than just catch a race then this hotel is for you. It is relaxing and full of amenities, as well as right on the beach and close to other fun stuff like SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Disney World.
Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach
Now if you want a hotel close to the track then this is it! Only about two minutes from the track, that’s without traffic mind you, this hotel is great for those race-only fans. With 3 floors and 122 rooms this hotel offers high-speed internet access and a full, hot breakfast.
Grub
Okay!!! This is my favorite part to tell everyone about…FOOD! Now here is a mash-up of restaurants that I have come up with and let me tell you, they do not disappoint.
This place is unbelievable… right on the beach with a heart stopping view. The menu is absolute decadence with a raw food selection and a variety of salads to choose from for starters. The Chart House specializes in fresh-catch seafood, but not to worry, they also are prepared to serve the land-lubbers. The fresh fish includes Dynamite Salmon, Snapper Hemingway and a delectable shrimp trio platter. Try the Snapper Hemingway; if you love to indulge this is the plate for you, encrusted with parmesan cheese and crackers, then topped with a lump crab and shallot butter sauce!!! Talk about perfection!!! The meatier side of the menu includes teriyaki tenderloin medallions, a beautiful filet mignon and the ever luscious prime rib. For more info check the Chart House website.
This place is the best, literally. It has been voted by Reader’s Choice as having the best margaritas, salsa, burritos, black bean soup and most important, HAPPY HOUR! Enjoy the specials from 4-6pm and the lunch buffet Tuesday through Fridays. Cancun Lagoon is super close to the speedway, has great Mexican/American food and I am not going to hold out on the coin flip drink special. That’s right everybody a coin flip drink special on Tuesday and Friday nights. If you guess the flip right your drink is FREE!!!! I know, it is almost a crime to be in Daytona and not visit the cute little place with a coin flip drink special. For more information check the Cancun Lagoons website.
Now, if this won’t help you enjoy a trip to beautiful Daytona Beach then I don’t know what will…Have fun and stay safe!
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