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Daytona 500


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#1 GPLEagle

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Posted 11 September 2010 - 21:20

I am looking at a visit to Daytona for the 500 next year. First time to a Nascar event, so just hoping for some hints & tips. What seats would you recommend, is it worth getting the garage or paddock tickets, what is the traffic like getting there, and anything I haven't even thought about!
Any help greatly appreciated!

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#2 BUNT

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Posted 06 January 2011 - 15:47

I am looking at a visit to Daytona for the 500 next year. First time to a Nascar event, so just hoping for some hints & tips. What seats would you recommend, is it worth getting the garage or paddock tickets, what is the traffic like getting there, and anything I haven't even thought about!
Any help greatly appreciated!

I've only been once, early 90's. A buddy and I were near there for a 3 day racing school at Morosa, now Palm Beach International Raceway.
We didn't have tickets and went to the ticket office on Friday to find it was sold out. Decided to make a sign with a marker pen and cardboard ' 500 Tickets needed'.
We walked around the parking lot wearing our signs around our necks, when we saw someone get arrested by 2 undercover cops for trying to scalp tickets. It's illegal in Fla. to resell for a profit evidently.
10 minutes later we were offered top row seats in a grandstand ( Fireball Roberts) for face value and bought them. The seller was able to get the Tower seats he was after.
Great location, could see all pit stops and the whole track. Got there early Sunday, no traffic problems. Leaving was a mess though. We walked to a nearby restaurant and had dinner, no problem.
We also got a hotel room right on Daytona Beach, the room beside us was one of the driver's hospitality suites, so the hotel was pretty nice, again we had no reservation.
I'd do the same thing again, just show up and hope for the best. Seems to work well for me. 1st U.S. G.P. Long Beach, stayed on the Queen Mary - all the drivers - went to the victory banquet. Arrived with no tickets or reservations. Go, have an adventure and get upper level seats on the start/finish side.

#3 GPLEagle

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Posted 19 January 2011 - 00:54

Thank you for the comments, I am looking forward to the race!

I've only been once, early 90's. A buddy and I were near there for a 3 day racing school at Morosa, now Palm Beach International Raceway.
We didn't have tickets and went to the ticket office on Friday to find it was sold out. Decided to make a sign with a marker pen and cardboard ' 500 Tickets needed'.
We walked around the parking lot wearing our signs around our necks, when we saw someone get arrested by 2 undercover cops for trying to scalp tickets. It's illegal in Fla. to resell for a profit evidently.
10 minutes later we were offered top row seats in a grandstand ( Fireball Roberts) for face value and bought them. The seller was able to get the Tower seats he was after.
Great location, could see all pit stops and the whole track. Got there early Sunday, no traffic problems. Leaving was a mess though. We walked to a nearby restaurant and had dinner, no problem.
We also got a hotel room right on Daytona Beach, the room beside us was one of the driver's hospitality suites, so the hotel was pretty nice, again we had no reservation.
I'd do the same thing again, just show up and hope for the best. Seems to work well for me. 1st U.S. G.P. Long Beach, stayed on the Queen Mary - all the drivers - went to the victory banquet. Arrived with no tickets or reservations. Go, have an adventure and get upper level seats on the start/finish side.



#4 Garagiste

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 19:03

As it's just down the road from my adopted home I just got tickets too - see you there!