| When I think of Daytona Beach several things come | | | | are run. NASCAR was born from stock car racing |
| to mind. I remember hanging out on the beach during | | | | which was born from boot legging in the Appalachians |
| the day getting ‘the perfect tan’ then going | | | | during prohibition. Bootleggers, as they were called, |
| back to the room to freshen up, out to dinner and | | | | needed fast car to outrun the cops as they made |
| then clubbing all night. I really enjoyed meeting all the | | | | their deliveries, many drivers did their own |
| people from all over the country there to party and | | | | modification to their cars to increase the cars speed |
| have a good time. | | | | and handling. It all started back in 1947 when a |
| The Main Street pier is reminiscent of the Coney | | | | gentleman named William France Sr. and some friends |
| Island style pier, all our friends from the North East | | | | founded a small organization they called NASCAR. |
| can appreciate. They have several restaurants with | | | | When prohibition ended in 1933 the need for |
| fare including ‘by the slice pizza’ hot dogs, | | | | bootleggers dried up but some of these guys came |
| corn dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, you know, all the | | | | to love the speed and excitement of driving down |
| junk food one would associate with a good time. | | | | twisty mountain roads. They continued to work on |
| They have a midway will all the games and prizes | | | | and improve their cars and by the late 1940’s |
| you’d imagine plus some hair raising thrill rides like | | | | the races for bragging rights and money began. |
| the big swing where you go up some hundred feet | | | | These races were held mostly in rural North Carolina |
| then they drop you to swing up and out, it’s | | | | run using modified street cars. |
| quite breath taking. You can also fish off the pier so | | | | There are also several truck races and events that |
| it makes for a great family day. Up at the other end | | | | take place during the week but theses are the main |
| of Main Street there’s a different kind of fun to | | | | racing events. Then at week after the qualifying |
| be had. | | | | events the Daytona 500 is run. The Daytona 500 is |
| Many of the bars of Daytona Beach are on the Main | | | | run for 200 laps, 500 miles on the two and a half a |
| Street strip. One of the draws to Daytona Beach are | | | | mile long track of the Daytona International |
| the yearly events of Bike Week 2010, normally held | | | | Speedway and it’s considered the biggest, |
| in February or March. Bikers from all over the country | | | | richest and most prestigious race of the NASCAR |
| and world converge on Daytona Beach for a few | | | | series. Touted as “The Great American |
| days of booze, bikes and babes. The Hogs Breath, | | | | Race” families save of all year and make the |
| Dirty Harry’s, Froggy’s and the Boot Hill | | | | week their traditional family vacation. I’ve been |
| Saloon, the Bank and Blues club; these are just a few | | | | to the infield after Speed Week and have been |
| of the names you’ll see. If you go to any one of | | | | amazed by all the things left behind, arm chairs, sofas |
| these places during Bike Week or Biktoberfest | | | | and all sorts of other things, it’s an awesome |
| you’ll find a party going on, wet t-shirt contests, | | | | sight. |
| live music, drink specials, food, fun and some fabulous | | | | One of my favorite things about being on the beach |
| bikes, its well worth the trip. | | | | at Daytona is the fact that you can drive on some |
| During these events they also have something else | | | | of the beaches there, you have to be respectful of |
| Dayton Beach is known for – races. They have | | | | the dunes so they have where you can and |
| many races and special events to enjoy and there is | | | | can’t drive clearly marked. They also have beach |
| normally a swap meet and many vendors out in the | | | | patrols there in case of an emergency so don’t |
| parking lot so even if you don’t go into the | | | | be afraid to suntan there it’s not like you’ll |
| stadium stop on by and see the sight for yourself. | | | | be run over form all the cars. Every year they have |
| Dayton Speed week is the start of the NASCAR | | | | runs for charity and good causes on the beach, one I |
| season and there are several races and events to | | | | know of is around the Easter holiday every year |
| enjoy and as with Bike Week the vendors and parts | | | | it’s appropriately called the Easter Beach Run. It |
| sellers come out to make a deal with you. | | | | runs right by the Main Street Pier which is a great |
| Daytona Speed Week 2010 with other popular races | | | | place to spend the day. |
| such as the Rolex 24 hour race and the Daytona 500 | | | | |