Daytona SX Advice/Comments etc...

I was lucky enough that my job had me out there twice over the last three years so I got to see it twice. Best SX I have ever been to and I have been to all the California venues.

I would buy a ticket high in the grandstands (about $40) so when you look out at the track you can see over the NASCAR straight fench. Get there around 12:00. They won't let you in any earlier. Also buy a pit pass when you get there. You will be able to go down on the NASCAR straight and watch practice. It's pretty cool to be right down there where the action is. With the that ticket you can go into the pits all afternoon. It's only another $15 and well worth it. It's a little bit of a walk but they use the NASCAR garages so it's a totally different feeling in the pits. Be warned that the NASCAR straight is very banked so your feet will get tired so move around a lot. Practice isn't to crowded. That's why I buy a grandstand seat also so during the night show you can go rest in a chair you will be glad you did. Bring a fat black marker. You can go to where the NASCAR finish line is and they have a checkerboard painted on the track for the finish line. You can sign your name on it. Parking is free and they usually have a lot vendors outside the track so you can pick up some souvenirs.

Check the weather right before you go so your prepared. I went last year and the day was nice about 75 degrees but when the night fell and I was setting up high in the stands with the wind it got pretty cold.

have fun. You will be glad you went.

Mumbles covered everything pretty well. I go almost every year as it's only about 1 1/2hr. away. Two important points he pointed out is worth mentioning again. Dress for hot and cold, layers. Get a ticket high up so you don't have to look through the damn fence. Lots of free parking also. Don't get suckered into paying to park.

Of course allow some time for the beach. If Bike Week is going on, you might as well check out the sites on the strip. Yes, it can be cold, not usually all the time.

Go to Main Street the night before the race.

Buy the Cycle Club tickets from the speedway and watch from the upper front stretch suites with food and drink tickets.

There are a bunch of things to check out during bike week. Do some homework on the net and you'll fill up the trip schedule in no time. I live about 15 minutes form the speedway, and it's still a blast after more than 30 years.

A tip on the tickets, the second tier grandstand seating is best for viewing (the track is HUGE), but it is general seating. So get there early if you want to claim your seat.

You can bring in your own cooler with beverages and food. Not sure about alcohol policy.

Sunscreen is a good idea during the day. There is zero shade in the grandstands.

Protip, there are electrical outlets in the elevator lobby if you need to charge your phone.

I don't remember if parking was free, but do get there early and you can virtually park 50 feet away from the entrance. Some other parking lots are a bit off-site and you may have to walk 1/2 mile.

I think pit pass is free? I always just walk right in.
Daytona pits are really cool as they use the garages. Also a lot less crowded than typical sx pits and I think more open hours, so you have better chance of seeing/meeting your favorite riders.

Alot of industry folks and riders hit up the Ale House for food/drink after the race. It's right down the road from the speedway.

It is Bike Week, so the traffic will be bad. Be prepared for it to take a little longer driving anywhere, and be courteous to the bikers.

Main St. is the central location for all things Bike Week. Fun to go check out all the bikes in the area and hydrate (aka beer). They close main st. to cars, but you can park nearby.

If you've never been to Daytona, it's fun to go for a drive down the beach. Yes, you can drive your car on the sand.

Obey the speed limits and traffic laws! Cops are very lenient during bike week, but they don't put up with a-hole drivers.

You'll probably get to see lots of 50 y/o floppy titties with pasties, if you're into that sort of thing.

If you will be there with friends, and you have a day to kill, rent a charter fishing boat for a day. It'll cost bank though. But you'll have the time of your life. Option B is go on a party fishing boat (half-day or full-day) is much cheaper. If you do go fishing, get there early (like 5am) to get the best spots in the back of the boat.

LNG have you ever ridden the Bombing Range in Spring hill? It's pretty sweet. It's where they filmed mini warriors 1 or 2!

I think by pit pass mumbles means purchase a track side viewing pass. That gets you right on the front straight by the track, if you go down there right after the heat races are over you can basically get about 20 or 30 feet from the track right next to the barrier. I took this pic from there in 2012, it was real wet that year but the wife and I loved it. Stewie won the main too.



and this one

For the night show, a regular ticket is best, IMO. The banking (on track) becomes too crowed to see anything, and the reserved seating has a bunch of obstructions in the way.

I always wanted to know how to get into the stands on the pit side of the track? I've tried sneaking in with no luck. Can you buy access? Or do you have to be special?

The two years I went (2010, 2012) the crowd in the stands around me were fine. I didn't see any bad behavior.

I drove up from Cocoa Beach so I can't help you on the hotel choices but you better get some fast as they will sell out quickly.

I have never flown into Daytona, but it is not that big an airport. If your getting a car anyway, you might look into Orlando. You might want to go to one of the theme parks also.