Originally posted by momof2OH
I am trying to plan a trip for next year to the Daytona 500 and then on to WDW and need HELP. The WDW part of the trip is a cinch. The part I'm having trouble with is the 500. 
I need info on tickets: prices, best location, when to purchase, where to purchase? Should I just stay at WDW and drive up or find a hotel around by the speedway? Are there any special things that go on that I can go see and if so prices on that? Can you purchase pit passes w/o having to buy a package deal?
Anyone that can answer any of these or give me any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
I'm a Gordon fan but I'll try and help
I do remember Captin Fink mentioning in another thread (NASCAR BAck) that he was going to the Daytona 500 and then WDW, hopefully he'll give you the scoop when he comes back.
I just read an article on Jayski.com about ticket prices. Prices for this year's Daytona 500 ranged from $85 for lower seating to $215 for the tower seating. That's a little more than what it is for the Pepsi 400 in July also at Daytona. So figure next year the prices will be close (maybe $90-220 instead). As for where to sit, if money is no object you want the Winston section, Box or Tower seating. The higher the seats are in the stadium the higher the prices. My dh says that's because the lower seating can't see the whole track (makes sense cause Pit lane and the campers would block the view). If money is an object, look for seating to the left or right of the Winston section. Where to buy tickets, I would go to the Daytona Speedway website
http://www.daytonaintlspeedway.com/ and buy them there. They already list the 2004 Daytona 500 on their ticket page but prices are not up yet, start checking it after the race on Sunday and check back frequently until you find the order form for next year's race. Buy your tickets as soon as they are available. I'd be really careful about buying tickets from a ticket broker since they seem to really inflate the prices. A package deal might work if you can find a reputable travel company.
I'm not sure how they handle pit passes anymore, the Daytona Speedway website may be able to provide that info as the race gets closer. Remember reading somewhere they were about $50 each and you could purchase them at the track. You might want to call the Daytona Speedway and get the word directly from them. NASCAR has severely restricted pit access this year so it may not really be worth it anymore. Reading sites like Jayski.com will help you keep up with stuff like that and give you idea of whether it's worth it.
Where to stay - tough call. Rooms at Daytona will probably be at a premium and expensive. Traffic will be rough though so travelling from Disney the day of the race may require leaving at 6am or so, don't really know. I would check prices of hotels in Daytona and if you can find a rate similiar to what you are paying at Disney I'd get it. Again, a package deal might be the way to go but shop around. Get an idea of how much the tickets are, how much hotels go for and then check package prices to see if they really are a deal.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help. We're going to the Pepsi 400 at Daytona and while it's a big race it's not as big as the Daytona 500. Enjoy the planning and the trip
I absolutely LOVE Dale Jr.!!!!!!!
Anyone else??
