| Gentlemen, start your engines and ladies, grab your | | | | advance of the actual race. The remainder of the |
| beach bag. It's NASCAR time in Daytona Beach, | | | | field is established by qualifying races of 150 miles. |
| Florida. 2006 is already wooing a track full of die-hard | | | | During 2004 and before, the qualifying races were |
| race car drivers and fans are pulling up trackside to | | | | 125 miles. |
| get a glimpse of the action. Make sure you're there in | | | | After the Daytona 500, Wisk Presents the Daytona |
| 2006 for non-stop excitement at every turn on the | | | | 500 After-Party which includes a dinner buffet, |
| track! | | | | complimentary soft drinks, a cash bar, live |
| The season begins with the forty-fourth Rolex 24 | | | | entertainment and much, much more. You must |
| which kicks off the 2006 Grand American Rolex | | | | purchase advance tickets to attend this party. |
| Sports Car Series on the weekend of January 26-29. | | | | ConAgra hosts the Monday morning Champion's |
| Considered one of the most prestigious endurance | | | | Breakfast event which features car induction |
| races, the entry list features 73 entries which will | | | | festivities, a buffet breakfast, and more. This event |
| exceed the 2005 entry list by eleven cars. Benny | | | | also requires advance purchase of a ticket. The |
| Parsons will act as the Grand Marshall for this event. | | | | Champion's Breakfast marks the official end of Speed |
| On February 11, 2006, the Budweiser Shootout will | | | | Week at Daytona. |
| start their 'run' followed by the Daytona 500 Pole | | | | Access to the Daytona International Speedway is |
| Qualifying run. The Shootout represents the beginning | | | | simple and easy from the north and south via |
| of Speed Week at Daytona, ending with the | | | | Interstate-95 which lies within two miles of the race |
| Daytona 500. On February 18, the Hershey's Kissable | | | | track. Interstate-4 provides access from the west |
| kicks off the NASCAR Busch Series for 2006. In | | | | while U.S. Highway 1 provides a scenic drive from the |
| between are truck races and other events to keep | | | | north and south. |
| every race fan in total bliss. | | | | While visiting Daytona Beach, you'll want to take a |
| On February 19, Daytona Beach hosts the Daytona | | | | drive along the white sand beaches, one of the only |
| 500, one of the great American traditions in NASCAR | | | | remaining beaches in Florida that permit driving on the |
| racing. The race begins at 2 p.m. Eastern and runs for | | | | sand. These beautiful beaches extend for miles and |
| 500 laps on the world-famous track. Of course, all | | | | provide a unique experience for anyone who has |
| the big names will be entered in the race, including | | | | never had the joy of driving alongside the Atlantic |
| Jeff Gordon, Tony Steward and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | | | | Ocean. Just don't leave your car parked on the sand |
| This year holds a special treat because Bill Elliot has | | | | too close to the water at low tide. Every week, cars |
| come out of retirement to return for this race. Elliot | | | | must be towed onto shore when the high tide floods |
| left full-time racing in 2003, only running a few races | | | | them. |
| in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Of course, Dale Jr. | | | | During Speed Week, accommodations can be hard to |
| is a favorite in this race. His father, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. | | | | find unless you have made reservations well in |
| died in a freak accident during the Daytona 500 in the | | | | advance. Many race fans book reservations and |
| 2001 race. | | | | purchase their race tickets a full year in advance. The |
| Since its beginning in 1959, the Daytona 500 has been | | | | ocean-front hotels, of course, fill up first as do those |
| one of the most popular races ever held. The | | | | closest to the Speedway. For those who desire very |
| television ratings for this event indicate that it is one | | | | affordable housing for the week, nearby towns offer |
| of the most-watched sports events, surpassing even | | | | plenty of accommodations within one-half hour's drive |
| the Super Bowl! As the first race of the Nextel Cup | | | | from the track. Even Orlando with all its plush hotels |
| Series (in addition to being the first biggest race of | | | | is only forty-five minutes away on Interstate-4. |
| the year), the fan's race to obtain tickets is | | | | Camping is a popular solution to the accommodations |
| phenomenal. | | | | problem during Speed Week. There are numerous |
| The Daytona 500 is a direct offshoot of a race once | | | | campgrounds in the area within a few miles of the |
| held on the sands of Daytona Beach. After the 1959 | | | | race track and the cost of renting a campsite for the |
| opening of the Daytona International Speedway, the | | | | week is very affordable. Because of Central Florida's |
| race as we know it continues to grow. | | | | mild weather, camping poses a viable solution. The |
| That very first Daytona 500 was won by Lee Petty, | | | | nights may require a few blankets, however, but |
| father of Richard Petty. The win was most | | | | most of the daytime temperatures are quite |
| interesting because Johnny Beauchamp was initially | | | | comfortable. Many of the hard-core race enthusiasts |
| announced as the winner after both Petty and | | | | bring campers, vans and motor homes, purchasing |
| Beauchamp lapped Joe Weatherly on the final lap. | | | | infield tickets and parking for the entire week. Every |
| Three days later, after reviewing photographs and | | | | evening, cookouts in the infield bring the smells of |
| video of the finish, the call was overthrown and | | | | steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers to the air. Those |
| Petty was announced as the official winner of that | | | | gathered in the infield party with others from all over |
| first Daytona 500. His son, Richard, has won the | | | | the country both day and night, having a thoroughly |
| Daytona 500 seven times during his career and holds | | | | great time while enjoying the races. |
| the record for the most wins for this particular racing | | | | If you have never been to a Daytona 500 to hear |
| event. | | | | those famous words, "Gentlemen, start your |
| The qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unique in that | | | | engines", you will never forget the experience. Not |
| teams must race their way into the field instead of | | | | only will you enjoy the races, but the entire city of |
| taking qualifying laps. The first row is set through one | | | | Daytona Beach will provide memories for years to |
| round of qualifying that usually occurs one week in | | | | come. |