Tailgate Destination Daytona: All You Need to Know

Real race fans see the pilgrimage to Daytona for the 400 as a must do before they die. By far the best time you will have in Daytona is to get there for the 125's and stay till Sunday. Daytona is too expensive to get there Saturday, and watch only the Saturday and Sunday race. 

Remember when doing the infield there are 2 simple rules:
1) The higher you are, the better the view.
2) You will have to "RUN WITH WHAT YOU BRUNG!" You can leave the infield and there is a KMart and Mall outside BUT it is a hike.

Now before you go, there are some things you need to know:

WHAT YOU CAN BRING INTO THE GRANDSTANDS

One soft side bag / cooler, no larger than 6 X 6 X 12 inches. This one bag may be carried in any manner, i.e. by handle, with shoulder straps, on a belt, etc. The soft side insulated cooler may contain ice. One clear plastic bag, no larger than 18 X 18 X 4 inches. To accommodate samples received and purchases made after fans have parked their cars. Clear plastic bags may not contain ice.

Note: Fans are allowed to bring in one each of the bags described above. Binoculars, scanners, headsets, cameras, not in a bag, worn separately over the neck or on the belt and seat cushions carried separately are also allowed. Seat cushion bags with compartments will be reviewed on an individual basis. All items brought through a grandstand gate will be inspected.

No restricted items may be left in or around the gate area.

RACING RELATED STUFF TO DO

DAYTONA EXPERIENCE features a variety of thrills and interactive games for audiences of all ages. Guests can change tires in a pit stop competition, ride DAYTONA 500 EXPERIENCE's three motion simulator experiences, Toyota Tundra's Thunder Road, DAYTONA DREAM LAPS and ACCELERATION Alley. In addition, there is an IMAX Theatre. Also available is the 30-minute Speedway Tour (subject to track availability and weather conditions) and the Official Daytona Beach Welcome Center. Attraction Ticket includes Speedway Tour.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO DAYTONA

FROM THE NORTH (Jacksonville)
I-95 South to US-1 (exit 273)
South on US-1 to S.R. 40 (Granada Blvd.)
West (right) on S.R. 40 to Clyde Morris Blvd.
Clyde Morris Blvd. South to Parking Lot 7 (Free speedway parking & shuttle)

OR

I-95 South to US-1 (exit 273)
US-1 South to S.R. 5-A (Nova Rd.)
Nova Rd. South To S.R. 400 (Beville Rd.)
Beville Rd. West To Clyde Morris Blvd
Clyde Morris Blvd. North @ ½ Mile to Bellevue Extension
Bellevue Extension West @ 2 miles to Lot 10 (Free speedway parking & shuttle)

FROM THE SOUTH (Melbourne)
I-95 to LPGA Blvd. (exit 265)
LPGA Blvd. East to Clyde Morris Blvd.
Clyde Morris South to Parking Lot 7 (Free speedway parking & shuttle)

OR

I-95 North to S.R. 44 New Smyrna Beach (exit 249)
S.R. 44 East to US-1 (Dixie Freeway)
US-1 North to S.R. 5-A in Harbor Oaks
S.R. 5-A North to S.R. 400 (Beville Rd.)
Beville Rd. West to Clyde Morris Blvd.
Clyde Morris Blvd. North @ ½ Mile to Bellevue Extension
Bellevue Extension West to 2 miles to Lot 10 (Free speedway parking & shuttle)

FROM THE EAST (Daytona Beach Area)
From A1A take any one of the area's bridges to US-1
US-1 to Mason Ave.
West Mason Ave. to Clyde Morris Blvd.
North on Clyde Morris to Lot 7 (Free speedway parking & shuttle)

OR

From A1A, take any one of the area's bridges to US-1
Go South on US-1 to S.R. 400 (Beville Rd.)
Beville Rd. West to Clyde Morris Blvd.
Clyde Morris Blvd. North @ ½ Mile to Bellevue Extension
Bellevue Extension West @ 2 Miles to Lot 10 (Free speedway parking & shuttle)

FROM THE WEST (Orlando)
I-4 East to S.R. 44 (exit 118)
S.R. 44 East to US-1
US-1 North to S.R. 400/Beville Rd.
S.R. 400 West to Clyde Morris Blvd.
Clyde Morris Blvd. North to Parking Lot 7 (Free speedway parking & shuttle)

OR

I-4 East to S.R. 400 (Beville Rd.)
S.R. 400 East to Williamson Blvd.
Williamson Blvd. North to Parking Lot 10

NOTE: During peak traffic ingress times, traffic may be directed to Clyde Morris Blvd. And then to Bellevue ext. to access lot 10 free speedway parking and shuttle

A FEW TRAFFIC TIPS

GET THE DETAILED MAP! There are many roads zipping around the speedway that can be valuable in getting out of the traffic and onto the interstate you need to get back to your hotel. These roads also have private parking on them.

Also beware because the police will close streets and exits as traffic gets thick to help ease congestion and route you a different way. So you know what I say GET THERE EARLY, no later than 6:00 AM!

Don’t forget to check with the Florida DOT for accidents and construction. On this page you can find info for all of Florida, the Florida/Georgia border and Florida Alabama border: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/PublicInformationOffice/traffic/trafficwarnings.shtm

GETTING THERE - ALTERNATIVE

VOTRAN Shuttle Services offers express bus services for guests visiting the area for the races. VOTRAN buses will transport race fans attending the event from the Ocean Center Parking Garage located on the north side of the Ocean Center at 701 Earl Street (at the corner of Earl Street and Atlantic Avenue) in Daytona Beach to a special de-boarding area near Daytona International Speedway. (*parking and bus fees apply) There is also a bus to take you from the ITF to hotels on A1A...For more information on event bus services, call VOTRAN at (386) 761-7700

OTHER STUFF TO DO

How about a visit to Visit Florida's tallest lighthouse, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station? The lighthouse tower and museum are located 12 miles south of Daytona Beach in nearby Ponce Inlet. Also on Ponce Inlet is the Lighthouse Point Park. It is on 52 acres, this park offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, and picnicking and features an observation deck and tower and numerous nature trails.

There are the beautiful beaches at Daytona, Flagler and Ormond Beach with a ton of great seafood restaurants. There are also a few racetracks within 15 miles for some good, ole fashioned, short track race before the big superspeedway battle. Gorgeous golf courses at New Smyrna beach, Flagler Beach and Ormond Beach. Many museums like African American Museum of the Arts and the Gillespie Museum of Minerals in nearby Deland. There is even a Postal Museum in Orange City. Of course there is nearby Disney World.

A must do is the Main Street Pier in Daytona Beach. At 1000 feet long, the Main Street Pier is the longest pier on the east coast of the United States. It offers Space Needle observation tower, Outstanding Views, Fishing and a bar and restaurant.

While in Daytona Beach why not try a water sport’s activity like a parasailing adventure, jet skiing, ride a four wheel beach vehicle, fishing or sailing? There are a ton of company’s minutes from the speedway to help you on this.

This article was provided by our friends at Southern Tailgater Magazine, which is designed to serve southeast region of the country – a geography with a rich tailgating tradition.