As you drive around Daytona. You don't have to be that close to the Speedway to know its Speedweek. We were doing our errands yesterday, a good 10 miles as the crow flies from the Speedway and saw two planes pulling banners heading west following International Speedway Blvd. Later in the afternoon we were about 5 miles away and I look in the sky and saw the 2 planes circling the Speedway, one pulling a HUGE banner advertising the new DALE movie and I couldn't read the other one. Heck I never realized how close this intersection I was at was to the Speedway until I saw the planes.
The motor-homes are pulling into town with their favorite driver's number on the sides or already here parked at their campground with all their flags flying outside their "compound". I've not been to the Marina near International Speedway and Beach Street yet, but I can guarantee that there are several yachts sitting there with NASCAR flags of some sort. Rusty Wallace would bring a yacht in the past, I'm not for sure who else. If you are in that area, I hear some of the more seasoned drivers like to stop by the Chart House for a nice dinner at that marina too. I've not had a meal there yet, but hear they have a wonderful meal and great service.
Since I drive by turns 1 and 2 to get to work every day I'll probably be taking 1 of 2 different ways in to work Tues-Thurs this week as I imagine traffic will become a nightmare, but that's part of the excitement. Hey, the only time we have traffic here is during events so you will not hear me complain if I have to find a different way to work, there's more then one way to avoid it, no biggie!! I will be going into the the mouth of the dragon at some point to shoot some photos of the hustle and bustle though, I've never actually witnessed it for myself. By the end of the week the planes pulling banners will be joined by a Goodyear Blimp, and maybe another blimp and more planes. I witnessed that during the Pepsi 400 last year but since I was new working in this area I didn't know where to pull off safely to shoot pictures, now I do, and it's a amazing sight. I'm actually getting back into the NASCAR spirit again! I think I am looking forward most to the flyover at the beginning of the Busch Race on Saturday though, they will be flying right over me at the Daytona Flea Market while I am at the Coca Cola Speed Experience and I will have the camera ready for that. Thanks Daytona Beach for making me feel like a kid again!
