Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/753864
DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2016/2017 38 a hot dog? Try his Infield Dog, a foot-long cre- ation smothered with macaroni salad, chili, cheese sauce and crushed Doritos. Although more luxury has been built into the new stadium—there are 60 track- side luxury suites plus the Rolex Lounge offering inside and outside seating while you dine and enjoy your beverage—Chit- wood made sure he did not take away the true fan experience. "We still let them bring in their own coolers and beer," he says, adding the infield area on the backstretch remains open to campers and race fans who enjoy watching from the grass. You can also leave and come back—but these days you probably wouldn't want to go anywhere. While the DAYTONA 500 is the main event at the Daytona International Speedway, the stadium was constructed to be a multi-purpose facility, hosting concerts and possibly other sporting events. And why not? The infield grass area is also called the ballfield: it's an actual football field that welcomed college gridiron matches in the 1970s. An annual Memorial Day (end of May) concert is already on the books as is the Ferrari World Finals each December. If an event is not taking place, the Speedway's Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) features more than 40 racing and high-performance vehicles, including Indy cars, stock cars and sprint cars, as well as powerboats, motorcycles and racing snowmobiles. The museum also showcases racing videos, driving simulation, games, driver uniforms and memorabilia dis- plays. After imagining yourself as a speedster, try your luck with the Richard Petty Driving Experience to enjoy real-life racing thrills. There are also tours offered throughout the year giving you a chance to see the all-new Daytona International Speedway for yourself. Choose from the Speedway Tour, All-Access Tour and VIP Tour. The tours are well worth it, offering a glimpse into the massive reno- vation to enhance the fan experience. From the maiden car race on the beach in 1903 to the original footprint of the race- track in 1958, the Daytona International Speedway has come a long way with its new multi-million-dollar facelift, but its reason for being remains. "The track is still the same," says Chit- wood. "The fun is in the track." BEYOND THE TRACK The DAYTONA 500 is definitely a bucket-list item you should embrace if you plan to be in the Daytona Beach area the second month of TOP: One of 60 luxury boxes from which to watch the action in comfort. CENTRE: The Florida Hospital Injector at the new Daytona International Speedway. ABOVE: The Main Injector at the entrance to the new Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau OPPOSITE: The Main Street Pier & Boardwalk is the epicentre of Daytona Beach, day or night. Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau