What’s This Minivan Driving Mom Doing at Daytona International Speedway? #LoveDaytonaBeach
Fast cars have never really been my thing. I’m more of a minivan driving Mom who, up until recently, never got a speeding ticket in her life. I didn’t grow up with Nascar nostalgia. So how did this happen? How did I end up touring Daytona International Speedway on a recent trip through Central Florida’s Daytona Beach area, and more importantly how did I find myself enjoying the experience, even plotting a return one day to see more? Well, let’s see….where should I start?
Sometimes I find myself in odd places. Sometimes I am incredibly surprised that I enjoy doing something I never thought I would. For instance, earlier this year when I learned to ski in Mont Tremblant. Sometimes as a travel blogger and lifestyle blogger I jump in and hope to be amazed. More often than not I am amazed and inspired. I remember feeling that keenly the year my daughter turned ten when we took the kids with us to Kennedy Space Centre. Impossible not to feel inspired when watching someone journey through the atmosphere in a rocket. I found a tiny bit of that feeling again at Daytona International Speedway.
Recently I was invited to Daytona Beach as part of a press trip to see some of the lesser known attractions, shops and restaurants. It was a whirlwind tour. The food was plentiful and surprisingly better than I ever imagined, the weather was lovely and the company was fabulous. You can read more about all the amazing things to do in Daytona Beach here in my 11 Fun Things to Do In Daytona Beach Post. And if you are looking for a place to stay while there you can’t go wrong with The Shores. But the Daytona International Speedway? Well, I was intrigued and curious and I knew my husband would want the scoop when I got home so I took it all in. From start to finish this space is really pretty amazing, and about to get even more remarkable.
While visiting Daytona Beach we toured various beaches and we visited downtown Deland and I ate my weight in food. And on the last day in Daytona Beach, well it was time for the showstopper of course. You can’t visit Daytona Beach without seeing Daytona International Speedway. I was excited to see the iconic backdrop of so many Nascar racing hero stories. I was interested to see up close what I have seen on TV over the years. Ultimately, I ended up learning more than I thought I would, and I was surprised to find this, the Daytona International Speedway, also is a fully accessible venue for people with mobility challenges living or visiting Daytona Beach. That is one of my biggest takeaways from the entire trip to Daytona Beach. Every spot we visited was accessible and there were dozens of signs also supporting that. I’m not saying that there aren’t some spots that you might find tricky if you travel with people who have mobility issues. But I didn’t see any obvious obstacles.
Anyways, back to the story at hand: the day I arrived at Daytona Beach airport and was picked up by a driver/ tour guide was literally the first time I ever set eyes on the speedway. I know almost everyone has seen Daytona International Speedway on TV, but even from the distance of hundreds of feet as we drove by, it was ridiculously impressive. Naive first time Daytona Beach tourist, I actually thought there were people in the stands as we whipped by on the way to The Shores. I tucked that away for later and didn’t mention it. I mean, I didn’t think there were any races happening in October, but the stands looked full of spectators. Odd, I thought.
Barely three minutes into the 30 minute tour of the Speedway and someone else asked: “Are the seats coloured?” Sure enough. Mystery solved. The seats are each coloured vibrant primary shades so that they read well on TV and the stands always look full. Mind Blown.
The tour we took was a quick one at thirty minutes and the guide hits on all the highlights while whisking you through the space on a trolly of sorts. Right now Daytona Rising is underway meaning there’s a $400 million dollar redevelopment project happening that is expected to be done by the end of this January. That means the world’s first motorsports stadium will have five expanded redesigned entrances or “Injectors.” The final project will consist of 101,500 permanent wider and more comfortable seats. There will be twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands.
There are numerous tours available throughout the year and you can learn more here at Daytona International Speedway site, if you want to do one when you are in town. Above we are standing in Victory Lane (a tourist must do).
The revamped vision is exciting. It will be a speedway for the coming decades, ready to welcome even more visitors, of all abilities, and ignite excitement. I’m not a race car driving fan girl or a pit bunny by any means. But what I enjoyed about this tour was seeing this iconic tourist mecca up close and getting to learn a bit more about the men and women who race there. It’s interesting to see the spot where Dale Earnhardt celebrated a victory that defined a generation of racing fans. The tour lets you feel as if you are walking in the footsteps of the great race car drivers.
I might not have been a massive racing fan when I arrived in Daytona Beach, but I left with a new appreciation for the sport and I even decided the Richard Petty Driving Experience would be a fantastic gift for my husband at some point in the future. If you ever find yourself in Daytona Beach, don’t forget to check out the Daytona International Speedway. It will get your pulse racing.
I was invited to Daytona Beach as part of a press trip. My flights, accommodations, adventures and food were all paid for while visiting Daytona Beach. My opinion is always 100 % truthful.
23 Comments
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I don’t get the appeal of Nascar, but I know so many people seem to love it. Glad you had fun.
Paula H
I’d never in a million years think that you got a speeding ticket! Daytona International Speedway looks like such a fun place! The whole seat painting thing – blew my mind too! We are planning a FLA trip sometime next year. We will have to check this place out for sure – we have a few racing fans in the family!
Paula
Save your money and give someone as a gift the Richard Petty driving experience – or do it yourself! I would do this because my husband would LOVE that.
aimee fauci
we have friends that go to speedways. They love it and they meet so many wonderful people.
AnnMarie Brown
I have yet to make my way to Daytona but I have been to a lot of other speedways and I just love everyone I meet there. My father will be at Daytona this February for the Daytona 500. I am beyond jealous!
Christine
Oh! This is amazing! I absolutely LOVE Daytona! I didn’t get to check out the speedway last time I went though. Admittedly, I spent most of my time on the beach! Now I know I was missing out after reading your post! Next trip for sure!!
Pam
My husband has always wanted to visit the Daytona Beach speedway! He’s always been into racing and things like that.
CATHERINE s
This looks like a lot of fun. My dad and I have been talking about going to a race and we will also have to do a tour.
Heather Lynne
This looks like such a fun place to visit! I’ve never been to the area, but someday when I am, I’ll remember this!
Lois Alter Mark
Looks like you had a blast! I would love to visit Daytona Beach one of these days!
Sarah Bailey
What a fun sounding place to visit, if I was ever in the area it would definitely be somewhere I Would love to visit and take in all the atmosphere and excitment. x
Liz Mays
It’s awesome that you enjoyed the speedway tour even without prior racing knowledge. I think it’s something everyone should check out when visiting Daytona Beach.
Mama to 5 BLessings
What a fun place to visit! I bet my boys would love going there! Right up their alley!
Amber NElson
I’m not big on Nascar, but I know that it is a popular thing.
Dogvills
How fun! My nephew was there last month and he was raving about his trip.
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom)
This looks like a fun time – we’ve never been to a speedway!
Amanda || Growing Up Madison
My brother owns a condo in Daytona and I’ve always wanted to go there and visit. I just might one day.
Jeanine
Looks like you had such a fun time! I know I’ve never been to a speedway or anything like this so it would be so much fun to experience!
Maureen
What a fun thing to get to do! I bet that is one loud place to be during races!
Kelly Hutchinson
What a cool place to visit! My family would be thrilled with a trip to the Daytona Int’l Speedway!
Ann BAcciaglia
I went there with my family a couple years ago. It was cool to see the Speedway in person.
Lisa Rios
This looks amazing, one of my cousin used to go to speedways as he loves racing & he used to meet like minded racing people as well. I would love to check in sometime with my family to watch all the fun.
Rosey
I had a new appreciation for the sport too after seeing it in person. Racing can be fun.