Finally Got Tickets to the Daytona 500

[godale03]

I finally got tickets to the Daytona 500 for this coming Feb. Woo Hoo!! The problem now seems to be finding a place to stay anywhere near Daytona. Is there anybody out there that could recommend a place that is decent and clean and close to Daytona International Speedway? Much help would be appreciated. Thanks again guys.

Tom

 

[jetmechG550]

Tom, that is the downfall of Daytona. Most hotels in the area book up the day after the 500 for the following year. They also implement the 3 or 4 night minumum stay rule if you can find a room. If you do come across a place chances are you'll be paying triple the normal rate or you'll be paying way too much for what is considered a dump. From past experience I know the it's not uncommon for hotels to be booked up as far as Orlando. I've stayed as far south as Cape Canaveral just to get a reputable place. I was lucky enough though the last few years I went to the race to have a buddy that was from there and we'd stay with family.

 

[godale03]

Sounds like I am screwed..... or I will have to sleep in my car.

 

[vbgagnon]

bring a tent, or a camper

 

[NCNitro]

Jets right, any place close to the track will have a 3-4 night minimum, and probably in the $250 per night range. Your best bet would be orlando, it's about an hour drive but there are tons of hotels there. Plus you can hit Race Rock for dinner, or go to Universal's City Walk, or any other number of options. Or just rent a camper and stay at the campgrounds. Several of the years I went my Brother lived in Titusville, so I stayed with him when I could, but I have also done the sleep in the car thing, and Stayed in Orlando. It's a great experience though, congrats on scoring some seats. So where are they located?

 

[godale03]

Jets right, any place close to the track will have a 3-4 night minimum, and probably in the $250 per night range. Your best bet would be orlando, it's about an hour drive but there are tons of hotels there. Plus you can hit Race Rock for dinner, or go to Universal's City Walk, or any other number of options. Or just rent a camper and stay at the campgrounds. Several of the years I went my Brother lived in Titusville, so I stayed with him when I could, but I have also done the sleep in the car thing, and Stayed in Orlando. It's a great experience though, congrats on scoring some seats. So where are they located?

Yeah... we scored a hotel in Albermonte Springs. It is about an hour from the track and we are close enough to Universal that I could take dad out for dinner and a beer at Race Rock. It is a Residence Inn... nothing fancy but as long as the bed and bathrooms are clean I am ok with it. I figure I won't be staying there much. I would like to get some tickets to the Dual 150's if I can.

Our tickets are up high on the super stretch. I have never been so I am not sure if those are good or bad.

Tom

 

[fastflee]

Bring a blanky and sleep in your seat so you dont loose it hahha congrats bro I bet it will all work out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!have fun take lots of pics...

 

[NCNitro]

Ah, your on the backstretch. Check out this link, they have a 3d seating map, it will give you an idea of the view from your seats. At Daytona the higher the better. The track is enormous, so the lower you are the less you can actually see.

 

[jetmechG550]

Tom, good deal, I didn't want to scare you off. I lived in Savannah for 3 1/2 years and knew what kind of issues to expect. I went every year while living there and before and after. Like I said I knew locals so one year I went we got into the dual 125's for nothing, truck race nothing, iroc nothing, got cheap Winston Tower seats for Busch and start/finish about 20 rows up for cup. I've sat on the back stretch a few times for the 500 and the 400 and like NC said, the higher the better! Some of the best I've had were just out of turn two ad row 30. I've sat in the Winston Tower twice with seats in rows 40 and 42, they were the next best thing to being in a suite!

 

[SMaxxin]

Killer score!! One day I hope to make that race.

 

[godale03]

Tom, good deal, I didn't want to scare you off. I lived in Savannah for 3 1/2 years and knew what kind of issues to expect. I went every year while living there and before and after. Like I said I knew locals so one year I went we got into the dual 125's for nothing, truck race nothing, iroc nothing, got cheap Winston Tower seats for Busch and start/finish about 20 rows up for cup. I've sat on the back stretch a few times for the 500 and the 400 and like NC said, the higher the better! Some of the best I've had were just out of turn two ad row 30. I've sat in the Winston Tower twice with seats in rows 40 and 42, they were the next best thing to being in a suite!

Yeah, I am sleeping a bit easier now knowing I have seats and a place to sleep. The hotel is right off of I-4 so it should be easy to get to and from the track. Even that far out the rooms are not really cheap, but it is better than paying 280 for a room at a roach motel that usually goes for 60 a night. LOL

It would have been nice to have been close to the track.. but it is what it is. I am going to the 50th running of the Daytona 500.. I think I can deal!

Thanks for all the help and info guys. It helped alot.


Hey SMaxxin... I never thought I would have the oportunity to get to Daytona either. I have turned down tickets a few other times.. but this time... the wife said just do it... so I did. LOL I figure once the baby is born, the oportunity will not be there for a while so I better take it now.

Tom

 

[digger]

I figure once the baby is born, the oportunity will not be there for a while so I better take it now.

Tom

Bro!
Just tell the 'ol lady you are going out for diapers! You'll be back in a few days.
Make sure she has a couple of diapers to last her though... :LoL:



Won't be long till you can take the baby on the trips. Trust me.


Hope ya have a great time.

 

[godale03]

Bro!
Just tell the 'ol lady you are going out for diapers! You'll be back in a few days.
Make sure she has a couple of diapers to last her though... :LoL:



Won't be long till you can take the baby on the trips. Trust me.


Hope ya have a great time.

I like that Digger my boy.... I will have to use that one. Might come in handy on those days when I just need to get the LHS... maybe I can get the LHS to start carying diapers for just such an occasion.

They do grow up quickly that's for sure. My stepson is already wanting coffee from starbucks... and he's only just turned 6! Next he'll want a cell phone and the keys to the car!

I am really looking forward to Daytona... I have been for a long time. I just hope the weather is nice and I get to see the whole 500... not just enough to make it official. That happened to me the first time I went to the Coke 600 at Charlotte.. it rained just after half way and they called the race.