Prepare your car for the race


The Flags Are Waving In Daytona Beach

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



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