About Daytona Beach's Daytona Intrtnational Speedway

The 54th Daytona 500 was a blast!

You probably have seen the news about the big blast at the 2012 Daytona 500 NASCAR race Monday.. But it was great to be at the race even though my guy ( Jeff Gordon) had engine problems and could not finish the race.
I believe this was the first time the Daytona 500 was run on a Monday., it was postponed from Sunday due to rain.
As my flight was landing around 7:30PM Monday night at the Daytona Beach Airport I could see that the lights were on at the Speedway. I was on my way home from a trip to the west coast visiting my daughter and her family.
Anyway after getting off the plane and going outside I could hear the roar of the engines so I knew the race was running. So, while on the phone with my daughter she said I had to go to the race because it was obviously meant to be. So I drove over to the track and got a parking spot near a gate, bought tickets and in we went to see the Daytona 500.
At lap 160 while under a caution flag Juan Pablo Montoya had a mechanical problem and crashed into one of the jet dryers causing a huge fire and ultimately delaying the race for a couple of hours.
Unfortunately I had to watch the end of the race on TV at home I was so tired and after an hour of waiting for the race track crews to clear the mess I want home. The race ended just before 1AM.

The 54th Daytona 500 was a blast!

Rolex 24 at Daytona

The 50th anniversary of the running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona international Speedway will begin January 28, 2012. The race starts at 3:30PM but the action begins January 26th with practice sessions, Qualifying and lots of fan activities and entertainment.

Some of the activities revolve around the 49 previous winners and each one that is available will be there and participate in parade laps etc. View the complete 2012 Rolex 24schedule.

The kick-off dinner at the Ocean Center is not included on the speedway schedule and will be a coat and tie event at 7PM where the previous Rolex 24 winners and cars will be available. Close to 40 of the past winners are expected to attend and interact with guests.

This 50 years of champions party is a once in a lifetime event. This charity gala on Thursday night, January 26th at the Ocean Center is a partnership between Daytona International Speedway and the Halifax Health Foundation to host the event. The admissions proceeds benefit the Halifax Health Foundation, which includes the area’s only Level II Trauma Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Halifax Health Foundation office at (386) 254-4111.
On January 27 the 50 years of champions cars will parade from the Ocean Center to the speedway. A display of the championship cars will be available at Daytona International Speedway throughout the race weekend.

For tickets for the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 call 1-800-pitshop or visit the Daytona International Speedway web site.

Sports car testing at Daytona international speedway

Sport's cars, in preparation for the 50^th running of the Rolex 24 will be testing this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Cars from the Grand-am and the continental tire challenge will participate today, Sunday beginning at 9 AM and today is the last day of testing. Testing today continues until 3:30 PM. The Rolex 24 is scheduled for January 28^th and 29^th, 2012.

Admission to these testing sessions is free if you have Rolex 24 tickets, otherwise tickets are $15 and children 12 and younger are free.

For additional information or to get tickets visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-pitshop. Tickets are also available at the gate.

The roar before the 24^th.